American film producer Will Packer is set to become the first-ever jury president of the 2021 American Black Film Festival (ABFF).
What We Know:
- This November, the annual festival will celebrate its 25th anniversary in Miami Beach, FL, with a combination of live and virtual events. According to Variety, the festival highlights the work of Black filmmakers in competitive and non-competitive categories, including HBO Short Films, Documentary Features, and ABFF Pride.
- Packer, who is also the founder of Will Packer Productions and Will Packer Media, got his start at the Black independent film festival back in 1999 with his film Trois directed by Rob Hardy. Throughout his career, Packer has produced a number of box office hits that have also premiered at the festival, like Girls Trip, Think Like A Man Too, This Christmas, Takers, and Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain.
- Packer is looking forward to working with the festival to include more diversity and inclusion in film and television. He has released a statement as this year’s jury president, writing, “ABFF is one of the single most instrumental institutions in my career.”
“This is more than just a festival for me. Its very existence guarantees there will be more Will Packers making movies from a unique perspective and telling the stories of underserved audiences,” Packer noted.
- Packer has been a long-time supporter of the American Black Film Festival and has served on the festival’s advisory board for years. In 2016, Packer was recognized at the festival’s ABFF Honors ceremony and received the Distinguished ABFF Alumni Award.
ABFF Ventures Founder and CEO Jeff Friday commented on Packer’s new position stating, “We are thrilled to have our dear friend Will serve as this year’s ABFF Jury President. His relationship with the ABFF family spans more than 20 years, and his path to success embodies the festival’s mission – empowering Black creatives to thrive in Hollywood.”
