(May 5, 2008- Beverly Hills, CA) The Hollywood Black Film Festival (HBFF) today announced that "Two Turntables and a Microphone," a music documentary about the life and untimely death of Jam Master Jay with guest appearances by Russell Simmons, Reverend Run, Jay-Z, LL Cool J and 50 Cent, will have its world premiere as the opening night film of the 2008 Hollywood Black Film Festival. One Village Entertainment, the film's distributor, will sponsor the opening night gala which includes the world premiere screening and old school hip hop after-party.

"I am particularly excited about showcasing this film. Not only am I a native New Yorker, but I'm a true fan who grew up listening to Jam Master Jay spin with Run DMC. This movie highlights the life of an extraordinarily talented artist who will always be remembered as one of hip hop's true legendary innovators. I can't think of a better way to commemorate Jam Master Jay then at the opening night of the Hollywood Black Film Festival," says Tanya Kersey, founder and director of The Hollywood Black Film Festival.

On October 30, 2002 - Legendary hip-hop DJ Jason Mizell, aka Jam Master Jay, was gunned down in his Queens studio. Security tapes of the incident mysteriously disappear, the five witnesses are uncooperative and no one is talking, until now.

"Two Turntables and a Microphone" documents the investigation of the unsolved murder of Jam Master Jay, RUN DMC's groundbreaking DJ and producer, deftly revealing the history of hip-hop and mainstream rap along the way. Exclusive, candid interviews with 50 Cent, Jay-Z, Russell Simmons, RUN DMC and more offer insight into Jam Master Jay's life - including information that could finally help police solve the murder that shook the music world to its core.

"This is an amazing time for us. We, at One Village, are extremely proud to offer this film to the public" says, Brett Dismuke, Vice President of Acquisitions & Urban Programming for Image Entertainment & head of its One Village Entertainment division. "Two Turntables and a Microphone is an outstanding film that not only celebrates the life and career of one of hip-hop's pioneers but it also gives us a history lesson as to how this worldwide phenomenon came about".

The world premiere screening will take place on Tuesday, June 3, 8pm at the Writers Guild Theater in Beverly Hills, California. Following the screening there will be a Q&A with the director, producers and some of the cast. An old school hip-hop themed after-party will follow. Tickets for the Opening Night Gala are $75 each and tickets are limited .

The festival runs June 3-8. For ticket or more information please visit www.HBFF.org

About the Hollywood Black Film Festival

The Hollywood Black Film Festival (HBFF), dubbed "The Black Sundance," is an annual 6-day celebration of black cinema drawing together established and rising filmmakers, popular film and television stars, writers, industry executives, emerging artists and diverse audiences from Southern California and around the world. The festival has become a hotbed for the Black Hollywood creative community. The 2008 festival will be held June 3-8, 2008 in Beverly Hills, California, and promises to again bring the best in independent black cinema. HBFF 2008 will showcase the artistic expression of 119 filmmakers from around the world including 27 features, 58 shorts, 18 documentaries, 12 student films, 2 animated films and 2 music videos. In its ninth year, the HBFF has introduced the public to more than 500 films showcasing some of the most spectacular images and stories created by filmmakers of color. Films will screen at the Writers Guild Theater and Laemmle Music Hall 3 in Beverly Hills, CA. The festival's adjunct Infotainment Conference, held at the Clarity Theatre, will feature 20+ panels and workshops and 100+ speakers, and covers a broad range of entertainment industry topics. The festival boasts nightly parties and social events. For more information visit the website at http://www.hbff.org.