Stars from NBCU Entertainment and Peacock Productions recently participated in the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) and EssenceFest. These events provided a platform for the production company to announce its new releases and highlight Black talent. NBCU held the first public screening of its upcoming fall show “Found” at ABFF. The show follows public relations specialist Gabi Mosely and her team as they search for missing people from marginalized groups. Mosely, played by Shanola Hampton, also hides a chilling secret of her own. The show explores the theme of trauma and its impact on individuals.
“Found” sheds light on the fact that over 600,000 people are reported missing in the U.S. each year, with more than half of them being people of color who are often neglected by the system. This show aims to bring attention to these underrepresented cases.
Peacock’s comedy “Killing It” also made an appearance at the festival. Leads Craig Robinson and Rell Battle discussed the show’s central theme of achieving the American Dream. They explored how socioeconomic background plays a role in the pursuit of this dream. The audience was treated to a preview of the show’s upcoming second season as well.
NBCU’s Jeanne Mau, Senior Vice President of TV Programming Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, introduced both panels and presented the Best Series Award to “I Was a Soul Train Dancer” at the Best of ABFF Awards.
In addition to ABFF, NBCUniversal also returned to EssenceFest, a major celebration of Black culture. “Bel-Air” breakout star Jabari Banks participated in the “Leaders of the New School” panel, where he joined other actors in discussing how they navigate relationships on set as leads of their respective series.
Shanola Hampton and Cassandra Freeman participated in Essence Film Festival’s panel on the movers and shakers in the industry. This panel provided a platform for top TV and film talent to discuss how they adapt to the ever-changing entertainment business.
Nkechi Okoro Carroll, showrunner of “Found,” and comedian Gina Yashere joined a special panel called Nigeria Day, where they shared their experiences breaking into television and expressed their desire to collaborate with Nollywood talent.
The festival also featured a panel called “The Nuts and Bolts of Running the Show,” which included showrunners from unscripted and scripted shows. James Knox, Lorraine Haughton-Lawson, and Nkechi Okoro Carroll discussed their day-to-day responsibilities as showrunners, including budgeting and story shaping.
These events provided a valuable platform for NBCU Entertainment and Peacock Productions to showcase their new releases and elevate Black talent in the industry. By participating in ABFF and EssenceFest, the production company demonstrated its commitment to diversity and inclusion in the entertainment industry.
By engaging with these festivals, NBCU and Peacock effectively reached their target audience and generated buzz around their upcoming shows and projects. This increased visibility is crucial for attracting viewership and building a loyal audience.
Overall, NBCU Entertainment and Peacock Productions made a significant impact at the American Black Film Festival and EssenceFest. Their active involvement in these events highlights their dedication to supporting Black talent and providing diverse and inclusive storytelling. These efforts contribute to a more representative and inclusive entertainment landscape.
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