LYNCHBURG, Tenn., April 24, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Gentleman Jack Double Mellowed Tennessee Whiskey is joining with Codeblack Entertainment and TVOne to support and highlight bold, new African American voices in film, with its Real to Reel contest. Participating filmmakers across the country will have a chance to win $10,000 and a VIP trip to Miami Beach to screen their short film for an exclusive audience, alongside writer, producer and award-winning actor, Omari Hardwick.

"Real to Reel is a rare opportunity for new filmmakers to screen their work for industry insiders," said Omari Hardwick. "As a writer and actor who owns a production company, I am personally excited to collaborate with Gentleman Jack on such necessary recognition of Black talent behind the camera."

The short film entries submitted online for the national competition will be judged by a panel of industry experts, and will be based on the following criteria: screenwriting, production quality and entertainment value. Real to Reel will also feature a seven-city tour, with local film screening events to showcase the works of additional aspiring African American filmmakers. The local events will feature a panel discussion around the selected films, and attendees will also have an opportunity to vote for their favorite short film, with the winner recognized at the final local screening event. Local screenings will be held in the following cities:

• Saint Louis: April 27
• Los Angeles: April 28
• Chicago: May 11
• New York City: May 20*
• Atlanta: June 4*
• Houston: June 8
• Miami: TBA (Final)

*Denotes Omari Hardwick appearance.
And dates may change.

"We are thrilled to team with Omari Hardwick, Codeblack Entertainment and TVOne to recognize the emerging talent in African American film," says Tracey Johnson, Multicultural Marketing Manager, Brown-Forman. "As filmmaking continues to evolve, Gentleman Jack is proud to celebrate the creativity, passion and inspiration behind the next big filmmaker in the African American community."

The Gentleman Jack Real to Reel contest is only open to individuals who have created, directed and/or written a film (in which they own the rights). Entrants must be 21 years old or older at the time of submission. Entries close on May, 21 2017 at 11:59pm. For more information on the program, contest submissions, Official Rules and local screening events, visit GentlemanJackFilm.com.

About Gentleman Jack
Gentleman Jack Rare Tennessee Whiskey is charcoal mellowed twice – once before it goes into the barrel and again after it fully matures. The result is an exceptionally smooth whiskey with a rich, rewarding taste. Jack Daniel's is the maker of the world-famous Jack Daniel's Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey, Gentleman Jack Rare Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel's Single Barrel Tennessee Whiskey, Jack Daniel's Tennessee Honey, Jack Daniel's Tennessee Fire and Jack Daniel's Country Cocktails. Join the conversation on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GentlemanJack.

A Gentleman knows his limits. Please drink responsibly.

JACK DANIEL'S GENTLEMAN JACK RARE TENNESSEE WHISKEY is a registered trademark of JACK DANIEL PROPERTIES INC. ©2017. Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey, 40% ALC./VOL.(80 proof). Distilled and Bottled by JACK DANIEL DISTILLERY, Lynchburg, TENNESSEE, U.S.A.

About Omari Hardwick
Omari Hardwick stars as 'Ghost' on the hit Starz Original Series "Power," (2017 and 2016 NAACP Image Award nomination) from CBS TV Studios and executive producers Curtis '50 Cent' Jackson, Mark Canton, Randall Emmett and Courtney A. Kemp. Other television credits include "Saved and Dark Blue" for TNT, and BET's "Being Mary Jane," for which he earned 2 NAACP Image Award nominations. This Summer he will begin production on feature film "Will Gardner" alongside Max Martini, Lily Rabe, and Gary Sinise, among others. The film tells the story about an Iraq War veteran suffering from traumatic brain injury who goes on a spirited motorcycle journey across America. The film was written and will also be directed by Max Martini. 

Omari made his TV series debut in Showtime's "Sucker Free City" for director Spike Lee. Feature credits include the upcoming Shot Caller for director Ric Waugh, Lionsgate's For Colored Girls, Sony Pictures' Sparkle, indies Middle of Nowhere and I Will Follow, both for director Ava DuVernay, 20th Century Fox's The A-Team, Lionsgate's Kick-Ass for director Matthew Vaughn, Touchstone's Miracle at St. Anna, reuniting him with director Spike Lee, Touchstone's The Guardian opposite Kevin Costner and Ashton Kutcher, and Columbia's Gridiron Gang. In addition, Hardwick is an accomplished poet and spoken word artist. He has written over 4,000 poems, including "Little Black Boy Wonder," performed and produced by Hardwick with Marlon Wayans, David Oyelowo, Eriq LaSalle, Jay Ellis, Sugar Shane Mosely, Bill Duke, among others.

SOURCE Gentleman Jack