UP, the television network dedicated to uplifting viewers every day, today announced the world premiere of the movie Comeback Dad (#ComebackDad) at Film Life’s 18th Festival (ABFF) in New York City on Saturday, June 21 at 4:30 p.m. EDT at the SVA Theater (333 West 23rd NY, NY). Comeback Dad marks the fourth film to be produced and air on UP as a direct result of the network’s highly successful “UP Faith & Family Screenplay Competition,” now in its fourth year.
The script is by newcomer Kimberly Walker, the Honorable Mention Winner in last year’s UP Faith & Family Screenplay Competition at ABFF. Last year’s Competition Grand Prize screenplay winner Mary Jo’s Candy (working title), is scheduled to go into production in June and premiere later this year on UP.
Comeback Dad is a dramatic, emotional father-daughter reunion film, starring Charles S. Dutton (Rudy, “Roc”), Tatyana Ali (“Love That Girl!,” “The Fresh Price of Bel-Air”) and Brad James (UP’s Marry Me For Christmas, “For Better or Worse”) with Loretta Devine (UP’s Saving Westwood High, “Grey’s Anatomy”). The movie is directed and executive produced by nationally-syndicated radio host/writer/producer/director Russ Parr (The Undershepherd, 35 and Ticking) and produced by Swirl Films. Filmed in Atlanta, Comeback Dad will debut exclusively on UP on Saturday, July 12.
“We are excited to premiere the movie Comeback Dad, a moving, emotional, beautifully-shot father-daughter film, at this year’s ABFF,” said Brad Siegel, vice chairman, UP. “We were so impressed by both the winning script Mary Jo’s Candy by Keronda ‘KiKi’ McKnight and this honorable mention script by Kimberly Walker in last year’s UP Faith and Family Screenplay Competition that we decided to produce both films this year. The scripts that we receive for the UP Faith & Family Screenplay Competition display the depth of talent and kind of entertaining, contemporary and uplifting stories that we develop and share with our viewers. And, the movies that result from these scripts are among our most watched original movies. Now in its fourth year, this Competition has proven to be a valuable source for fresh, creative storytelling from aspiring African-American writers.”
“UP’s commitment to ABFF through its screenplay competition reinforces the entire filmmaking process – taking a project from script to screen. Tangible career opportunities are exactly what emerging artists need to help further their careers. Brad Siegel and the UP team have created a truly meaningful partnership,” said Jeff Friday, ABFF Founder and CEO.
In Comeback Dad, Nima Babineaux (Tatyana Ali) looks like a woman who has it all – she is an accomplished pianist who runs her own music school and is engaged to Spence (Brad James), a successful engineer who adores her. But, in truth, she has never recovered from her alcoholic father, Othell (Charles Dutton), walking out on their family and it has made it hard for her to truly trust anyone. When Othell decides it is time to make amends and tries to reenter her life, Nima begins an emotional and eye-opening journey she could have never expected. Loretta Devine stars as Malinda, Othell’s sister. The ensemble cast also includes Donna Brisco, Elizabeth Omilami, Ja’El Robertson, Takara Clark, E. Roger Mitchell, Todd Anthony and Palmer Williams, Jr.
