TNT Sets Black-Film Awards Show

Turner Network Television said Friday that it will present a new awards show to recognize artistic achievement by African Americans in feature-length motion pictures, both in front of and behind the camera.

The network will air The Film Life Movie Awards (working title) Saturday, May 21. It will be executive-produced by Jeff Friday, founder and CEO of Film Life and the American Black Film Festival, which is held annually in Miami, and by Suzanne de Passe of de Passe Entertainment.

The ceremony will be taped at the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles Sunday, May 15. Awards will be given in seven categories: “Film of the Year,” “Best Director,” “Best Performance by an Actor,” “Best Performance by an Actress,” “Best Supporting Role-Male,” “Best Supporting Role-Female” and “Best Screenplay.”

Honorary awards will include a “Distinguished Career Achievement Award” and a “Rising Star Award,” and there will be a celebration of new inductees into the Classic Cinema Hall of Fame and a special presentation of the “HBO Short Film Award.”

The Film Life Movie Awards is a perfect opportunity for TNT to recognize and celebrate the enormous contributions black artists have made to the art of cinema," TNT and TBS executive vice president and chief operating officer Steve Koonin said in a prepared statement.

“We are proud to be able to bring this very special event to our viewers and especially proud to be collaborating with Jeff and Suzanne, who have worked so hard to promote the achievements of African Americans in film,” he added.