*(Hollywood, CA) – The Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center (BHERC) is honored to announce that founder and CEO of the newly launched AfroLife.TV, Alberto Marzan—also a media, marketing and enterprise strategy expert—is joining the corps of industry professionals on hand to share their expertise with the audiences attending the President’s Choice Panels and Salons at the 24th Annual African American Film Marketplace (AAFM) and S.E. Manly Short Film Showcase held April 28 – 29, 2018 at Raleigh Studios 5300 Melrose Blvd. Hollywood, California.
In leading AfroLife TV, Marzan has the company poised to make a dramatic impact in streaming entertainment by connecting the African diaspora around content. AfroLife.TV is a digital media and entertainment company providing premium streaming and on-demand cultural content with a focus on African Americans and consumers of color. “Being a part of the weekend as a speaker during the Black Hollywood Education and Resource Center’s film festival is exciting for me both personally and professionally. Their mission is so closely aligned with ours at AfroLife.TV, that when I received the invitation to speak it was an easy decision for me”, states Mr. Marzan. “It is a unique opportunity since there are not many of us around from both a business standpoint, as a streaming entertainment company focused on our Black and Brown communities, and from an inclusion perspective in Hollywood.”
Under Marzan and his team, AfroLife provides video on-demand streaming access to a world of curated African American, Afro-Latino, Afro-European, and African movies and shows. Its unique service combines innovative digital streaming technologies and social media engagement with a selected media mix that blends classic, popular, emerging, and independent content for viewing enjoyment. As a company they are deeply passionate about celebrating and enriching Afro culture through content and premium experiences. Mass produced media doesn’t define the Afro experience nor does it limit. AfroLife.TV also values recommendations and is open to receiving content that connects the African Diaspora around content.
Based on Marzan’s background, it is no wonder that he would establish a company like AfroLife.TV that is mission-driven. Over his distinguished, 20-year career, he has brought consummate leadership to numerous prestigious roles, including: CEO of International Children’s Heart Foundation; CEO of Dominican Gold Coffee; and CEO of Inspiring Champions. In addition to his tenure in these and other executive positions, Mr. Marzan founded and served as CEO of an interactive marketing and software company. He also founded two other marketing and advertising agencies, providing his exceptional leadership talents and skillful collaboration on behalf of such notable multinational companies as Buena Vista Pictures, Disney, the US Department of Defense, H&R Block, and 3M. A former board member of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Alberto also co-founded the Council to Combat Teen Cruelty.
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Marzan’s The OTT Digital Streaming: Getting Your Content Seen takes place on Saturday, April 28th from 5 pm to 6:15 pm at Raleigh Studios. Tickets are $20 for general admission and $5 for students and seniors with an ID. Tickets may be purchased in advance online atwww.bherc.org. Other panels over the two-day festival include Marginalized: Black Media & Marketing in Hollywood; Music Matters: The Role of Music in Film & TV: Director’s on Directing; How to Write a Script (a FREE Workshop) and How To Make an Independent Short Film. Industry Salons (limited to 50 attendees each) include: Location Management with Kokayi Ampah; A Conversation with Antwone Fisher: A Writers Point of View andCostume Design with Rita McGee.
The Festival begins Friday April 27th with the opening gala celebration, “A Great Day in Black Hollywood”—hosted by William Allen Young of the CBS hit, Code Black—at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center, honoring diverse leading and legendary professionals,, as well as the filmmakers selected for the 2018 S.E. Manly Film Showcase (“SEMSFS”), one of the top short film festivals in the industry. The SEMSFS takes place at the Raleigh Studios on Saturday, April 27 through Sunday, April 29, 2018. 86 films are screened on both days from 10 am until 10 pm. The BHERC Youth Diversity Short Film Festival screens 23 shorts, featuring 50 plus young aspiring filmmakers of tomorrow from 6 arts organizations and High schools, joined by 150 of their peers Saturday morning, 9 am to Noon.This portion of the Festival is Free to the Public. Sunday Morning, Films With A Purpose hosts the LA Premier of 21 and Done. The untold story of youth aging out of the foster care system. This special event features a post-screening Q&A session with the filmmakers followed by a brunch. Closing the Festivities on Sunday night includes the classic Soul Food & Film Reception at 9:00 p.m. The costs include: Opening Night Festivities $55 (at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center, 4708 W Washington Blvd, LA, CA 90016); a pass for a block of films is only $15 for students with ID and $20 for the general public; All Day Pass is $50; the 21 and Done premiere is $25;Closing Night Reception is $25 (Soul Food & Film); and the Weekend Pass (includes Opening Night, All Day Pass for films, Closing Night Reception, T-Shirt and BHERC Commemorative Bag) is $150.
To purchase tickets and for the complete schedule, please visit www.BHERC.org or call (310) 284-3170. To attend the Film Festival consider riding LA Metro – GO METRO: Take the Metro Local Line 10/48 to Melrose Ave. & Van Ness. Raleigh Studios is right across the bus stop on Melrose Avenue. Plan your trip on metro.net or call 323.GO. METRO (323.466.3876).
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