Lincoln Headlines Black Filmmakers at Fifth Annual Acapulco Black Film Festival

    IRVINE, Calif., May 24 Lincoln joins Hollywood's most
accomplished talent at the Fifth Annual Acapulco Black Film Festival (ABFF),
considered by many in the entertainment industry to be the most prestigious
international event for African-American filmmakers, actors and industry
executives.  The ABFF runs from June 4 to 9, 2001, in Acapulco, Mexico.
    For the second consecutive year, Lincoln Mercury will serve as ABFF's
exclusive automobile sponsor.  Lincoln vehicles, including the 2001 Navigator,
2001 LS and the all-new 2002 Blackwood, the industry's first full-sized luxury
truck, will be displayed prominently during festival week.
    "Lincoln's support of the ABFF is significant for many reasons, but most
of all, their support encourages and empowers African-Americans to make films
that reflect the Black experience," says Jeff Friday, festival co-founder and
producer.
    Lincoln also will serve as the "Presenting Sponsor" for the Black Film
Awards show.  The Black Film Awards Show recognizes the artistic excellence of
the filmmakers whose work was shown at the festival.
    Awarded for the second consecutive year, the Lincoln Filmmaker Award will
also be given to the top film at the festival, as voted by the filmmakers who
themselves had finished works at the festival.  The Lincoln Filmmaker Award
also features a grand prize of a two-year lease on a 2001 Lincoln Navigator.
    "Lincoln is proud to continue its involvement with ABFF," said Nicole
Conniff, multicultural marketing manager for Lincoln Mercury.  "Lincoln is
committed to the spirit of independent filmmaking and dedicated to showcasing
the best and brightest in independent Black cinema."
    Last year's Black Film Awards, hosted by Robert Townsend, saluted One
Week, winner of Lincoln Filmmaker Award.  Directed by newcomer Carl Seaton,
One Week explores the response of a young man when a health clinic informs him
that a former sexual partner has been affected with the HIV virus.  As his
picture-perfect future, complete with a beautiful fiancee and an upcoming
wedding, quickly begins to unravel, he must deal with the reality of his
uncertain fate.
    Produced by Film Life, Inc., in association with the Black Filmmaker
Foundation, and presented by lead sponsor Home Box Office (HBO), the ABFF is
an internationally recognized competitive showcase for independent Black
cinema.
    Film Life, a newly formed company headed by ABFF co-creator Jeff Friday,
produces the festival in association with the Black Filmmaker Foundation and
its president, Warrington Hudlin.  Film Life is a New York City based film
marketing, distribution, production and events company dedicated to
cultivating African-American and urban-inspired cinema.  The Black Filmmaker
Foundation is a not-for-profit organization established in 1978 to assist the
next generation of Black filmmakers and build audiences for their work.  For
ABFF registration information, visit http://www.abff.com or call 212-219-7267.

    Lincoln, based in Irvine, Calif., markets the full line of Lincoln
vehicles, including LS, Navigator, Town Car, Continental, and the
soon-to-be-introduced Blackwood.  For more information visit
http://www.lincolnvehicles.com .

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