Ford Motor Company's Lincoln luxury brand is teaming with Film Life for the eighth consecutive year to present the 11th annual American Black Film Festival -- spotlighting the best and brightest of Hollywood reaching higher and pursuing the American dream.

Making its Los Angeles debut, the 2007 American Black Film Festival attracts a robust group of film aficionados for a four-day retreat of premieres, networking, panel discussions, hands-on workshops and competitive film showcases. Lincoln's sponsorship of this year's event introduces Off the Red Carpet, a three-day series spotlighting industry insiders who influence present-day filmmaking. The series will showcase individuals in front of and behind the camera; from actors, to writers, directors, casting directors and producers.

"Lincoln has had a long and proud history of partnership with the film industry," said Marc Perry, multicultural marketing manager, Lincoln. "Our alliance with Film Life and the American Black Film Festival is particularly special to us as it reinforces our commitment to the spirit of independent filmmaking and allows us to be part of a team that is passionate about bringing diverse voices to a broader audience."

Off the Red Carpet will feature award-winning producer and COO of Our Stories Films Tracey Edmonds, writer/director/actor Kasi Lemmons, Grammy winner and actor Common, Emmy Award-winning casting director Robi Reed, actor Tasha Smith, writer/director Reggie Rock Bythewood and writer Norman Vance, Jr. Off the Red Carpet will be staged at the Lincoln Lounge at the Sofitel Courtyard

In addition to Off the Red Carpet, Lincoln will bring back festival favorites including the Lincoln Shuttle Service available 6:00-11:00 p.m. daily, and the Celebrity "Meet 'n' Greets" from 12 noon-2:00 p.m. daily at the Lincoln Lounge, where the award-winning 2007 Lincoln MKZ, a mid-sized luxury sedan, ranked #1 in its segment by J.D. Power in the Initial Quality Study, and the 2007 Lincoln MKX, the first crossover from Lincoln, ranked #2 in its segment by J.D. Power in the Initial Quality Study, will be on display.

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