'Cherry Waves' wins ABFF-HBO short film competition

theGRIO REPORT - 'Cherry Waves' bested four other films to win the HBO Short Film Competition at the 16th annual American Black Film Festival in Miami Beach...

Luther Vandross was outed as gay after his death.

“Cherry Waves” bested four other films to win the HBO Short Film Competition at the 16th annual American Black Film Festival in Miami Beach.

The film, written and directed by Carey Williams, who has previously directed independent films and music videos, focuses on a female underground street fighter, who “faces her biggest challenge yet- deciding whether to continue living her life for her handicapped mother and dubious fight promoter, or finally living for herself and the woman she loves.”

Williams won the competition, sponsored by HBO, along with the $20,000 prize. All five finalists are also awarded a broadcast deal with HBO.

The films screened to a sold-out audience Thursday at Miami Beach’s Colony Theater.

Previous winners of the sought-after annual competition include Sylvain White from (The Losers, Stomp the Yard), Frank E. Flowers from (Haven) and Saladin Patterson (Psych, The Bernie Mac Show and The Fighting Temptations).

Read more about all of the ABFF winners at BlackFilm.com or visit the ABFF website.

With reporting from Wanjira Banfield.

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