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SAN FRANCISCO, CA – October 8, 2008 – The San Francisco Black Film Festival (SFBFF) today announced it is the proud recipient of a grant from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), bestowed to the festival for furnishing a unique forum for minority filmmakers, supporting social and cultural diversity and making independent films accessible to underserved audiences. Grants awarded by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences reflect the fundamental goals of the Academy: to advance the art and science of motion pictures and to foster cooperation among the creative leaders of the motion picture industry for cultural, educational and technical progress.

“We're absolutely thrilled that the San Francisco Black Festival is being recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences”, said festival founder and executive director Ave Montague. “It’s gratifying to be honored by such a prestigious organization, one that embraces our mission of integrating the work of independent Black filmmakers into the mainstream and illuminating the depth and diversity of the African-American experience.” Montague hopes that the AMPAS award will serve to encourage additional sponsors to support the San Francisco Black Film Festival, which commemorated its tenth anniversary in June of this year.

Long before “going global” became a catch phrase, the San Francisco Black Film Festival served as a bridge between worlds, underscoring the power of personal stories as the key to cultural connection. When Montague launched the SFBFF in 1998, the festival was a one-day event that played to an audience of a few hundred and barely caused a blip on the film industry’s radar screen. Over the years, it has evolved into a ten-day cultural celebration drawing international attention and thousands of attendees. The San Francisco Black Film Festival’s next incarnation runs June 4th through 7th and June 11th through 14th, 2009. “Call for Entries” deadlines for film submissions are December 15, 2008 (early) and January 15, 2009 (final).

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