By Sandra Varner | SPECIAL TO SACOBSERVER.COM

CAFÉ Entertainment Studios has expanded with the launch of Foxy Films, a new division which will independently finance and produce high-quality, talent-driven, urban-genre feature films budgeted in the $3 to $5 million range.

The first film to be financed and produced under the Foxy Films banner is "Cross" starring Michael Jai White ("Exit Wounds" 2001, "Spawn" 1997), who will also serve as co-producer on the project.

Written by Michael Stradford, "Cross" centers on James Cross (White), a typical New York City tough guy with a bit of a quirky side and a “no guns policy.” Head of security at the hottest club in the city, Cross moonlights doing “odd jobs” for the underground hip hop elite. But just when he swears he’s done doing other people’s dirty work, he gets lured into his most perilous, twisted and personal job yet. He's tasked to find his former girlfriend (currently the hottest R&B singer in the country) who goes missing just weeks before her new record is set to be released.

Renowned songwriter/producer Damon Elliot, who has worked with such artists as Pink, Jessica Simpson, Beyoncé Knowles, Eminem, and his mother, Dionne Warwick, has also signed on and will be composing and producing music for both the film and the "Cross" soundtrack.

Born in Brooklyn NY, White began his career as a junior high school teacher and specialized in working with emotionally disturbed children. In 1992, he moved to Los Angeles to seriously pursue his acting career and almost immediately began landing film and TV roles. White recently completed filming the starring role in "Undisputed 2," as well as a supporting role in "Getting Played" opposite Vivica A. Fox and Carmen Electra.

His other film credits include "Universal Soldier: The Return" (1999) and "Ringmaster" (1998). On television, White appeared in the acclaimed TNT movie "Freedom Song" starring Danny Glover, had a co-starring role on ABC’s medical drama "Wonderland," and starred in the NBC television movie "Mutiny." In addition, he has made a number of guest star appearances on "CSI: Miami," "Clubhouse," "Boston Public," "Soul Food" and "NYPD Blue."