The present disclosure describes a front projection system. The front projection system includes a light absorbing layer having an absorbance in a visible range of the electromagnetic spectrum of at least 80% and a light diffusing layer disposed on the light absorbing layer between the light absorbing layer and the projector. The light diffusing layer includes a plurality of metal flakes uniformly distributed in a host material, an average size of the plurality of metal flakes being in a range from about 0.5 microns to about 20 microns, at concentration of in a range from about 3% to about 30% by weight. A plurality of light absorbing particles uniformly distributed in the host material at a concentration of less than about 7% by weight, and a major front surface facing the projector having an average surface roughness in a range from about 0.5 microns to about 10 microns.