By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices

Yesterday, the 2007 American Black Film Festival (ABFF) officially kicked off in Los Angeles, marking the 11th year for the groundbreaking event which features world premiere films, documentaries, symposiums, workshops and exclusive parties.

After originating on the sunny shores of Acapulco, Mexico and then moving to hot and steamy Miami, the Jeff Friday co-founded festivities has made a long anticipated pilgrimage to Hollywood, the town that was built around the movie industry.

"It was just time," the advertising executive turned black movie maverick (left) told The BV Newswire yesterday afternoon during an intimate chat at the Sofitel Hotel, which is the host venue for ABFF.

"We've been plucking people out of L.A. for 10 years now and getting people to come down to Mexico and Miami, and we got a lot of emails after the last festival asking 'well are you guys thinking about L.A.?,' he continued.

"If there was any shortcomings, it was the studios weren't really participating in this, and while all the films are black, I never conceived the audience to be all black."

The ABFF couldn't be happening at a better time either.

On a mainstream front, Tyler Perry's latest movie 'Why Did I Get Married?,' rocketed to the No. 1 spot at the box office two weeks ago and have seeped into mainstream culture thanks to a major boost from Oprah Winfrey, and a full scale support effort of African American and non-traditional media outlets.

As noted by AOL Black Voices film blogger Wilson Morales, the film is "a universal film that appeals to all seeking the sensitive expression of human values regardless of what color the actors are on the screen."

That's the same sentiment that Friday, a cum laude graduate of Howard University, shared of his vision for the films presented at the festival's reach.

Like 'Why Did I Get Married?,' the family-friendly holiday film 'This Christmas' is an ensemble piece featuring an all-black cast including popular music stars (Chris Brown and David Banner), and new and veteran actors. The Will Packer-produced film had its official premiere screening as the kick-off for ABFF last night at Los Angeles' WGA Theater.

"It's a charming movie for me because of the story and our connection to Will Packer and how he came to the festival," Friday shared. "Imagine this: the brother begged me to put his first movie, 'Trois,' in the festival, and nine years later we're opening the festival with his new movie. And on top of that, he's a good brother."

At last night's premiere, a calvacade of actors and executives – from all walks – converged on the red carpet and at the swank party held at Boulevard 3 on Sunset Boulevard.

A well mannered and dapperly dressed Packer seemed in great spirits, even echoing his affinity for the ABFF during his speech. "My success has been in no small part due to this festival," Packer said to the packed theater. "I really feel like I am a living testament to the importance of ABFF. As a young black filmmaker with no Hollywood connections and little experience I was inspired by what I saw and the energy I felt when I first attended 10 years ago. That inspiration laid a foundation for the success I have had thus far in my career."

Through the years, Packer helmed films such as 'Stomp the Yard,' 'Motives' and 'The Gospel.'

'This Chistmas' – also starring Loretta Devine, Delroy Lindo, Regina King, Mekhi Phifer, Sharon Leal, Idris Elba, Columbus Short, Lauren London, Laz Alonzo and Keith Robinson – will open nationwide November 21.

So with that film, the festival is already off to a great start. And the community seems to be embracive.

Actress LisaRaye – now known as the First Lady of Turks & Caicos – was on hand for the press conference yesterday, along with her husband Michael Misick, who is a chief minister of the popular Carribean destination.

"The eleventh year of the ABFF for me as an actress is more films for me to look at and be encouraged and motivated to further my career," the 'Players' Club'star shared with The BV Newswire. "I wanted to bring my husband to this festival to let him know how they have done and what Jeff has done over the years."

It was also announced that Film Life, producers of ABFF, will produce the 2008 Turks & Caicos International Film Festival, which Friday ambitiously referred to as the "Cannes [Film Festival] of the Carribbean."

"Turks & Caicos is one of the most beautiful backdrops in the world and they want to create a really high end, exotic Cannes-like thing ... celebrities, black tie, red carpet, real highly sexy," he said, adding, "it will not be about African American at all, it will be multicultural."

If the corporate sponsored support for that festival will be antyhing like ABFF's then success can be expected.

HBO is ABFF's founding and title sponsor. Marketing development chief Adrian Porter said being a longtime supporter of the festival was an "upside" all around.

"It spoke to what is the essence of HBO, which is delivering and cultivating great content, entertainment, films and filmmakers for the future," he said.

Other major sponsors include All State, Lincoln, BET J, Blockbuster, Kodak, Nokia and Black Enterprise magazine.

Film screenings run daily from 12 noon to 10pm at the Mann Theatres in The Beverly Center, which is directly across the street from where most of the festival is housed.

On Sunday, Vivica A. Fox will star in two of the final films; the Packer-produced 'Three Can Play That Game,' and Bill Duke's harrowing tale, 'Cover,' about the down-low homsexual lifestyle, AIDS and its impact on the black community – the official closing night film.

Duke, who starred in the 70's blaxploitation fave 'Car Wash' and went on to win acclaim as a director of films such as 'Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit,' is also on board to lead a three-day Actors Boot Camp.

Black Hollywood power weilder Tracey Edmonds, rapper actor Common and director Kasi Lemmons will all appear at Lincoln Lounge's "Off the Red Carpet" events, while Nickelodeon is hosting a Writer's Symposium and The Word Network will present a panel about the explosive growth of faith based cinema.

"We got some big time [people] and we wouldn't have that element if we were 3000 miles away," Friday said, adding, "I do miss the vacation feel because L.A. is such a big city, but I always leave room to change, to improve and to tweak."

"For me what has to remain constant is what we're all about ... we can be about this in Africa. So don't be surprised, next year."