SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8
THE ART OF EMOTIONAL WRITING: ENGAGING AUDIENCES SCENE BY SCENE MASTER CLASS WITH RANDALL DOTTIN
Presented by New York Film Academy (NYFA)
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11:00 am
The phrase write what you know is a cornerstone of storytelling advice, but it’s only part of the equation. Great writing isn’t just about facts—it’s about feelings. Emotion is the heartbeat of every great story, and creating it is a skill every storyteller should master. In this two hour workshop, Randall Dottin, Chair of the New York Film Academy Film Arts Department, Sundance grant recipient and winner of the 2022 ABFF Award for Best Web Series—will guide you through tools and techniques to make your stories emotionally resonant. With the help of curated short film clips, writing exercises, and open discussion, you’ll learn how to make every scene in your film leave a lasting impression.
Instructor: Randall Dottin
Tickets: $25 + fees via Eventbrite
“FLOURISH CREATIVELY AND FINANCIALLY” WITH CRYSTAL RENEE HAYSLETT
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Presented by Ally
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2:15 pm
Ally will host an intimate conversation with actor, producer, founder, and philanthropist Crystal Renee Hayslett. This panel will equip you with the tools and inspiration needed to thrive, balancing creativity with financial acumen. Discover how behind the camera roles can open doors to unparalleled creative control and how forging your own path can inspire others, particularly women and underrepresented voices, to embrace their unique stories and visions. We’ll also explore how merging artistic vision with smart financial strategies can sustain your creative endeavors. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from a trailblazer who has successfully navigated the path to creative independence.
Moderated by: Erica Hughes, Sr. Director-PR, Ally Financial
Tickets: $12 + fees via Eventbrite
POWER MOVES: ISAAC KEYS, KRIS D. LOFTON & ADRIENNE WALKER ON THE FINAL SEASON OF POWER BOOK IV: FORCE
Presented by STARZ
50 min | R
4:30 pm
Join STARZ for a special screening of its season three premiere, “Power Book IV: Force” episode. Following the special screening, stay for a special conversation with cast members Isaac Keys (“Get Shorty,” “The Oath”), who plays “Diamond Sampson,” Kris D. Lofton (“Ballers,” “Snowfall”), who plays “Jenard Sampson” and Adrienne Walker (The Lion King, “Law & Order: Organized Crime,”) as the trio discuss the impact of Force, their creative processes, and their Atlanta ties. Following the screening, Isaac Keys, Kris D. Lofton, and Adrienne Walker will join in conversation.
Episode Director: Lisa Demaine | Episode Writer: Gary Lennon | Producers: Gary Lennon, Courtney A. Kemp, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Mark Canton, Terri Kopp, Chris Selak | Cast: Joseph Sikora (Tommy Egan), Isaac Keys (Diamond Sampson), Kris D. Lofton (Jenard Sampson), Shane Harper (Vic Flynn), Anthony Fleming III (JP Gibbs), Lucien Cambric (D-Mac), Carmela Zumbado (Mireya Garcia), Manuel Ramirez (Miguel Garcia), Miriam A. Hyman (US Attorney Stacy Marks), Adrienne Walker (Shanti “Showstopper” Page)
Tickets: $12 + fees via Eventbrite
2025 HBO® SHORT FILM SHOWCASE
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SHORT FILMS | 78 min
7:00 pm
The 2025 HBO Short Film Showcase spotlights the five finalists from the 29th American Black Film Festival, selected from a pool of thousands. Together, these films reflect the vitality, humor, and complexity of contemporary Black storytelling.
The program features the following lineup: ADO (Written by Sam Henderson and Ryan Romine; Directed by Sam Henderson), A Beauty Supply in Queens (Written by Princess Adenike; Directed by Oluseyi Olatujoye and Princess Adenike), In Good Hands (Written by Yasmine Crawley; Directed by Nick Buchheit), ManBooBs (Written and Directed by Luke Harris), and Last Hoorah at G-Baby’s (Written and Directed by DeeDee Casimir).
Following the screenings, filmmakers Princess Adenike, Shalom Obiago (A Beauty Supply in Queens), and Chanell Jones (In Good Hands) will join in conversation. Moderated by Giovonnie Samuels.
Tickets: $12 + fees via Eventbrite
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9
BOB TALKS: COUPLES EDITION
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PANEL
12:00 pm
BOB Talks (Black-Owned Brands) is a panel series celebrating Black entrepreneurship. This edition spotlights Atlanta–based founders and their standout brands, featuring candid conversations on the realities of building a business—from navigating challenges to achieving success. The session offers practical insights and inspiration for the next generation of entrepreneurs. Featured founders include Maya & Brian Smith of The Doux and Jilea & Jamie Hemmings of Nourish + Bloom.
Moderated by: Nicole Friday (President & Co-founder, NICE CROWD)
Tickets: $12 + fees via Eventbrite
“A CREATOR CONVERSATION” WITH TERRI J. VAUGHN
Presented by AARP
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2:30 pm
Join acclaimed actor, director, and producer Terri J. Vaughn for an inspiring conversation reflecting on her multifaceted career in film and television. From her breakout comedic roles that cemented her as a fan favorite to her evolution as a filmmaker dedicated to telling authentic stories, Vaughn has built a legacy rooted in creativity, resilience, and representation. This candid discussion will explore her journey in front of and behind the camera, the lessons learned along the way, and her vision for empowering the next generation of storytellers.
Moderated by: Okla Jones
Tickets: $12 + fees via Eventbrite
HOOPS, HOPES & DREAMS
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Presented by Andscape
SHORT FILM | USA | 20 min | PG
5:00 pm
The untold story about how Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and a team of civil rights activists took to basketball courts to connect with young voters, and how their strategy echoes in politics through President Obama’s historic campaign. Talkback to follow with special guests, including Alexys Feaster.
Moderated by: David Dennis Jr.
Director: Glenn Kaino | Producers: Michael Latt, Alexys Feaster, Glenn Kaino, Afshin Shahidi, Jesse Williams | Cast: Jemele Hill, Reginald Love, Michael Strautmanis, Jerry West, Andrew Young
Tickets: $12 + fees via Eventbrite
META TAKE ONE
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NARRATIVE FEATURE | USA | 96 min
7:30 pm
(Winner, 2025 American Black Film Festival John Singleton Award for Best Debut Feature)
An obsessive young director & his crew plunge into a frantic night-long odyssey of desperation to finish his film, no matter the cost. Talkback to follow with writer-directors John Dierre and Ryan Dutter.
Directors: John Dierre, Ryan Dutter | Writers: John Dierre, Ryan Dutter | Producers: Ryan Dutter, John Dierre, Cabral Clements, L.M. Davis | Cast: Ej Ezuruo, Emmanuel Peeples, Aminah Williams, James Choi, John Romanski, Laura Poindexter, Kountry Slimm, Kevin Williams
Tickets: $12 + fees via Eventbrite
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