American Black Film Festival

Jamie Foxx, Courtney B. Vance, Jesse Williams, Coco Jones, Marsai Martin, Loretta Devine to Premiere Films

LOS ANGELES, CA (April 8, 2026) – The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) today announced its lineup of competitive film section features that will premiere at its 30th annual edition. This year’s milestone anniversary of ABFF with the celebratory theme “Homecoming,” returns to Miami Beach from May 27-31, 2026, honoring three decades of discovery and creative excellence.

The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the industry, showcasing bold storytelling and amplifying new creative voices on a global stage. The 2026 festival will host 16 World Premieres across Narrative Features, Documentary Features, and Series sections, with films representing more than 10 countries, including the U.S., France, Brazil, Italy, Cameroon, Canada, the U.K., and Nigeria. Audiences can look forward to a powerful selection of narrative and documentary features, with stories exploring immigration and deportation, global identity, political history and dictatorship, sports, music, and cultural legacy, and more.

Winners of the films in competition will be announced during the “Best of ABFF Awards” on Saturday, May 30.

“As we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the American Black Film Festival, this year’s slate reflects the spirit of homecoming—honoring the stories and creative vision that have shaped our legacy while welcoming a new generation of filmmakers,” said NICE CROWD President Nicole Friday. “This milestone year brings together a compelling range of films from around the world. We’re proud to provide a platform where both emerging and established storytellers can connect with audiences, showcase their work, and help shape the future of cinema.”

U.S. NARRATIVE FEATURE COMPETITION

A juried section of feature-length films directed by, or written and produced by, persons of African descent. Selected films are eligible for Jury Awards, including the Grand Jury Prize for Best U.S. Narrative Feature, as well as honors for Directing, Screenwriting, and Performance. The films selected for this section are:

Grand Jury Prize – U.S. Narrative Feature

Funny Feelings / U.S.A. (Director: Rhonda Baraka, Screenwriter: Je’Don Holloway-Talley, Producers: Roderick McClure, Joshua Ferrell, Morgan McClure) — A decade after building a comedy empire on their electric “are-they-or-aren’t-they” chemistry, two performers are forced to confront their unresolved feelings when a career-defining special unravels their act—and their truth—on a viral stage. Cast: Vena “Pretty Vee” Excell, Tristan “Mack” Wilds, Terri J. Vaughn. World Premiere.

Otra / U.S.A. (Director, Screenwriter, and Producer: Armani Ortiz, Producers: Asante White, Deance Wyatt, Daniel Etzioni, Chike Ubu, Maurice Harkless) — After a failed marriage proposal leaves him questioning love, Javier strikes a deal with his Guardian Angel to win back the woman of his dreams before his untimely death claims him for good — in this new-age, one-shot Latino musical. Cast: Rome Flynn, María Gabriela De Faría, Dania Ramírez, Aria Celeste Castillo, Armani Ortiz. World Premiere.

Southside Kev / U.S.A. (Director, Screenwriter, and Producer: Jamel Furlow, Producers: Samuel C. Morrison, James Furlow, Charlene Coleman, KK Rosemond, Shatek King) — A misguided teenager in South Jamaica, Queens, struggles to earn respect in the streets without losing the innocence that still defines him. Cast: Nathan Lewis, Alpachino Howard, Naomi Taylor, Brandon Chastang. World Premiere.

Girl Dad / U.S.A. (Director, Screenwriter, and Producer: Solvan Slick Naim, Screenwriter: Lane Williamson, Producers: Jamie Foxx, Datari Turner, Phil Thornton, Marsai Martin, Josh Martin) — A tough, queer teenager leaves Brooklyn for the first time to spend the summer with her estranged, struggling composer father in Los Angeles. The two are forced to reconnect over a used refrigerator that nearly upends their father-daughter relationship in the process. Cast: Marsai Martin, Courtney B. Vance. World Premiere.

Three Colors: Pan-African / U.S.A. (Directors: Elijah Davis, Allison A. Waite, Tyler Ocasio Holmes, Screenwriters: Madou Elijah Diarrassouba, Gillian Allou, JaQuay Collins, Elijah Davis, Dami Olatunji, Producers: Elijah Davis, Jack McMann, Dami Olatunji, Joseph B. Agboola, Chirsten Vanderbilt Ellis) — A triptych of Black stories that correlate with the colors of the Pan-African flag: RED (Liberation), A collegiate football star scrambles to save his career after a devastating injury fractures his sense of self-worth; BLACK (Unity), a Ghanaian single mother loses her job and faces deportation as an unlikely group of heroes rally around her; GREEN (Prosperity), the lead of a struggling Black sitcom questions the cost of success as the network forces the show into racist caricature to boost ratings. Cast: Loretta Devine, Bashir Salahuddin, Peyton Alex Smith, Sibongile Mlambo, Stephen Bishop, Kimrie Lewis.

U.S. NARRATIVE FEATURE SHOWCASE

A curated section of independent feature-length films highlighting new voices and distinctive storytelling from creators of African descent. The films selected for this section are:

Montmartre / U.S.A., France (Director, Screenwriter, and Producer: Leon Hendrix III, Producers: Ito Aghayere, Maurice D. Hendrix, Jill Officer) — Disillusioned with her disconnected life, Jo visits the storied French district of Montmartre, where she falls for Toussaint, an eloquent tour guide, and their romance entwines Black history, art and love, reconnecting Jo to her long-lost passion for life. Cast: Jesse Williams, Ito Aghayere, Melanie Nicholls-King, Deborah Lukumuena, Firmine Richard.

Voices: The Musical / U.S.A. (Director: Deantè Gray, Screenwriters: Sam Buckner III, Charlie T. Savage, Producers: Sam Buckner III, Ski-ter Jones, Charlie T. Savage, Brandon Lee Ward, Aya Washington) — When a rising soul duo overdose just hours before their big break, a desperate bellhop and his closest friends seize the chance of a lifetime, only to discover that the price of fame is blood. Cast: Francis C. Edemobi, Ezekiel Ajeigbe, Raèl Ba, Pedro Louis, Joe Maye. World Premiere.

Hoop Street / U.S.A. (Director: Princeton James, Screenwriter: Teresa Dickerson, Producers: Meleisha Edwards, Teresa Dickerson, Jordan Danelz, Mark Williams) — Barred from his high school basketball team due to his temper, a hot-head, street-baller battles demons from his past and present to earn a spot on a summer league team and his last shot at a college basketball scholarship. Cast: Benjamin Holmes, Jeremiah Roberts, Kenneth Farmer. U.S. Premiere.

A Story About You / U.S.A. (Director: Joseph E. Austin II, Screenwriter: Denise Yolén, Producers: Denise Yolén, Joseph E. Austin II, Jeremy Harris) — A man is forced to come to terms with his past as he navigates his week with various love interests. Cast: Shannon Wallace, Pernell Walker, Denise Yolén, Shiree Nicholas Christopher, Adwoa Duncan-Williams, Monique Lindsey.

Sr. / U.S.A. (Director: Toroes Thomas Jr., Screenwriters: Toroes Thomas Jr., Blayre Pichon, Producers: Blayre Pichon, Sean Banks) — After a struggling father takes his two kids on the run from social services, he tries to shield them from their harsh reality with a promise of the beach, but as his son Junior patiently waits for him to keep that promise, he’s forced to grow up early and challenge his father’s demons to get his family to their happy place. Cast: Micaiah Jones, Donnell Jones, Jade Telesford, Melan Perez.

93 ‘til / U.S.A. (Director and Screenwriter: Alterik Miller, Producers: Alterik Miller, Richard Lee Noel, Petey McGee, Alicia Turner, LaRoyce Hawkins, Sophia Lucia Parola) — Two struggling Philadelphia artists meet at a job fair and spend one perfect day falling in love—no phones, no filters, just presence—before a toxic ex and a violent robbery tear them apart, forcing them to search the city to find each other again and choose love despite uncertainty. Cast: Petey McGee, Sophia Lucia Parola, LaRoyce Hawkins, Keith Arthur Bolden, Kris D. Lofton, Taryn Delanie Smith, Jason C. Louder. World Premiere.

Waking Up Horny / U.S.A. (Director and Screenwriter: Michael Arcell, Producers: Barry Brewer, Wendy Wang, Annalea Fiachi) — When a successful but emotionally guarded psychologist spirals through a chaotic string of sexual misadventures, she must confront the battle between desire, self-worth, and the version of love she keeps avoiding. Cast: Brandi Denise, Angell Conwell, Brandon Joseph. World Premiere.

Homage / U.S.A. (Director and Producer: Miles Mussenden, Screenwriter and Producer: Dianne Diaz, Producers: Samantha Van Sickle, Kristen Nothstein) — A reformed street figure risks everything when he tries to help an old friend fresh out of prison, only to discover that some debts don’t disappear; they come back to collect. Cast: Miles Mussenden, Majah Hype, Nadirah Shakir-Ramseur, Kameron Washington, Noah Jay Wood. World Premiere.

THAT’S HER / U.S.A. (Director: Nina Lee, Screenwriters: Dewayne Colley, Tiffany Yancey, Nina Lee, Producers: Stephen “Dr.” Love, Dewayne Colley) — When a corporate-climbing playboy falls in love with a girl-next-door office temp and with a high-powered executive, he must choose between love and leveling up. Cast: Kountry Wayne, Coco Jones, Emmy Raver-Lampman, Loretta Devine, Charity Jordan, J. Alphonse Nicholson, Tabitha Brown. World Premiere.

Bust! / U.S.A. (Director, Screenwriter, and Producer: Richie Kamtchoum, Producers: Greg Oden, Sherwyn Santos, Danny April, Cindy Kamtchoum, Monique Henry) — A former professional basketball player attempts a comeback through a fledgling sportswear company. Cast: Richie Kamtchoum, Casey Lawrence, Liam Harrington, Brittany Erica, DeJeanette Horne, Karen Smith, Richard Garifo, Bernard Clark.

ATHENA A.I. / U.S.A. (Director and Producer: Corey Grant, Screenwriters: Lanett Tachel, Brian Kelsey, Craig Motlong, Producers: Lanett Tachel, Phaedra Harris, Chris Beal, Carol Shine, Brian Pratt) — In 2035, in a seemingly perfected America, an exclusive dinner party turns deadly when its co-host, an unreleased A.I. named ATHENA, hijacks the night and forces guests into a series of games they must survive rather than play. Cast: Lanett Tachel, Redaric Williams, Marissa Shankar, Andrew J. Katers, Anjianna Grasso, Marvin Ryan, Stephen P. Nemphos. World Premiere.

INTERNATIONAL NARRATIVE FEATURE COMPETITION

A juried section of feature-length films from international filmmakers, highlighting bold storytelling and diverse global perspectives. Selected works are eligible for the Grand Jury Prize for Best International Narrative Feature. The films selected for this section are:

Garden of Silences / Brazil, Italy (Director, Screenwriter, and Producer: Henrique Dantas, Producers: Eliane Ferreira, Alessandro Borrelli) — After years in Italy, Tuã, a Black oncologist, returns to Brazil to confront his family’s past marked by the dictatorship, navigating loss, silence, and memory in a journey of reconciliation and belonging.Cast: Fabrício Boliveira, Helena Ignez, Luiz Pepeu, Federica De Benedittis. World Premiere.

Lights Out / Cameroon (Director: Enah Johnscott, Screenwriter: Nfua Buh Melvin, Producers: Carista Asonganyi, Nfua Buh Melvin) — Every memory is a clue or a curse. Cast: Wale Ojo, Shaffy Bello, Ngongang Elizabeth Wandji, Syndy Emade, Libota MacDonald. U.S. Premiere.

Seahorse / Canada (Director and Screenwriter: Aisha Evelyna, Producer: Natalie Remplakowski) — A sous chef’s pursuit of stability is tested by the return of her estranged father, now living on the streets of Toronto. Cast: Aisha Evelyna, Joseph Marcell, Ruth Goodwin, Brett Donahue, Alden Adair.

Small Gods / U.K. (Director: Asher Rosen, Screenwriters: Asher Rosen, Luke Reilly, Cimpaye Florence Mariserena, Bizimana Hussain, Producers: Andreas Raold, Jack Pollington, Shema Faustin) — A landless single mother meets a charismatic street performer, discovering newfound hope for the future of her young son. Cast: Cimpaye Florence Mariserena, Bizimana Hussain, Turinayo Jotham. U.S. Premiere.

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE COMPETITION (U.S. & INTERNATIONAL)

A juried section of feature-length documentaries showcasing powerful nonfiction storytelling centered on the global Black experience, encompassing real-world stories, cultural history, and contemporary issues. Selected works are eligible for the Grand Jury Prize for Best Documentary Feature. The films selected for this section are:

Black Is Beautiful: The Kwame Brathwaite Story / U.S.A., U.K. (Director: Yemi Bamiro, Producers: Joanna Boateng, Lizzie Gillett, Ian Bonhôte, Andrew Calof) — The story of Kwame Brathwaite, the virtually unknown Harlem photographer and activist who helped popularize the iconic “Black is Beautiful” movement across a 60-year, 500,000-photo career devoted to celebrating African American joy and beauty. Cast: Kwame Brathwaite, Alicia Keys, Swizz Beatz.

The Foolishness of God: A Forgiveness Journey with Desmond Tutu / U.S.A. (Director and Producer: Karen Hayes, Producer: Rana Kazkaz) — An African American activist travels across continents with Desmond Tutu to confront the limits of justice and discovers that the path to political and personal change begins with an unexpected plea: forgive. Cast: Desmond Tutu. World Premiere.

Cycles of Resilience: A Journey Through Austin’s Black History / U.S.A. (Director: Ya’Ke Smith, Producers: Lauren Vunderink, Talib Abdullahi) — On Black History Bike Ride’s 6th annual Juneteenth Ride, led by Talib Abdullahi, hundreds of cyclists bike together to learn under-told stories of Black history in Austin, Texas. Cast: Talib Abdullahi. World Premiere.

ALTADENA – Rising From The Ashes / U.S.A. (Director and Producer: Ethan Lader, Producers: Zaire Calvin, Samantha Stokes) — After the Eaton Fire reduces Altadena, CA, a historically Black town and California’s first Black middle-class community, to ash, three childhood friends confront loss, legacy, and lead their community’s fight to rebuild. Cast: Zaire Calvin, Ben Crump, Darren Lloyd, Elic Mahone. World Premiere.

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE SHOWCASE

A curated section of feature-length documentaries showcasing bold, distinctive nonfiction storytelling from both new and established filmmakers of African descent. The films selected for this section are:

Beyond / U.S.A. (Directors and Producers: Asia Johnson, Michael Kleiman) — At Sing Sing prison, a group of incarcerated men organize and prepare for a TED-style event, featuring personal narratives and ideas for changing the prison system. Cast: Robert Clegg, Paul Cortez, Paul Davidson.

TRESPASS / U.S.A. (Director and Producer: Kim Watson, Producers: Salim Akil, Natalie Hill, Tasha Smith) — Blending his poetic narration with arresting cinematography and street photography, Kim Watson’s documentary TRESPASS captures five years inside Los Angeles’ unhoused communities—revealing the resilience, dignity, and humanity of those forced to the margins of the American Dream

BEYOND THE RIM – THE HEART OF D’TIGRESS / Nigeria, U.S.A. (Director: Adesua Okosun, Producers: Deniese Davis, Vinay Vaswani, Enyi Omeruah) — Against impossible odds, D’Tigress transforms from underdogs to unstoppable, becoming the first African team to reach an Olympic quarterfinal. Cast: Rena Wakama. World Premiere.

SERIES COMPETITION

A juried section of episodic storytelling from emerging and established creators working across television and digital platforms, highlighting bold, distinctive voices. Selected works are eligible for the Grand Jury Prize for Best Episodic Series. The series selected for this section are:

Law’s World: Lipstick Bandit / U.S.A. (Creator, Writer, and Director: Law Artis, Producers: Danae Grandison, Law Artis) — A sassy pansexual sex blogger prepares for a high-profile house tour, but his plans are derailed by his narcissistic bestie, determined to retrieve something she claims is irreplaceable. Cast: Law Scott, Nikki.

Love Song / U.S.A. (Creator, Writer, and Director: Nofisat “Love Nafi” Almaroof, Producers: Mohamed Williams, Okema T. Moore, Agnes Erskine, Nadia Sasso) — A married music producer’s morning commute takes a turn when he runs into a former flame, forcing him to choose between family, creative passion, and a love he left behind. Cast: Mohamed Williams, Okema T. Moore, Simone Posey, Adrian Arthur, Montana Monroe Jenkins, Ava Barnett, Taylen Washington. World Premiere.

The Comic Shop / U.S.A. (Creator and Writer: Cheyenne Ewulu, Director: Jalen Blot, Producers: Simone Kirlew, Victor Lord, Cheyenne Ewulu) — Under the regular threat of eviction and the looming competition of a big box store, a quirky group of friends strive to keep their comic store afloat by any ridiculous means necessary. Cast: Cheyenne Ewulu, Zeno Robinson, Grayson Niles, Shanae Cole, Hayley Law.

Ti Blan / U.S.A. (Creator and Writer: Noah Petion Laforest, Director: Dwight Ellis Jr., Producers: Sydney Crawford, Noah Petion Laforest) — After being sent to live with his estranged grandmother, a troubled Haitian-American teen must navigate family expectations, unfamiliar culture, and the burden of a struggling family restaurant, while a looming debt threatens the new path he’s fighting to forge. Cast: Matthew Fabien, Marie Henry, Chantal Jean-Pierre, Pascal Michel, Portland Thomas, Wayne Vielot, Mark Logan, Clifford Michel, Corey Hibbert.

AWOL / U.S.A. (Creator, Writer, and Director: Christian Henley, Producers: Christian Henley, Josh Patterson, Joachim Gautier) — Set to the backdrop of a failing Special-Education high school, new recruit, Christian, is faced with fixing much more than the students if he wishes to be successful. Cast: Christian Henley, KaSandre L. Kirby, Maya Shimoji, Eve Danzeisen, Matthew Von Der Ahe.

Takes A Village / U.S.A. (Creator, Writer, and Director: LaDarius “Dee” Torrey, Producers: Letia Solomon, Khari Johnson, LaDarius Torrey) — Takes A Village follows 17-year-old Zeke, a top student and Division I prospect, whose path out of his Mississippi Gulf Coast town is threatened by an unexpected pregnancy, family decline, and the pull of the streets—forcing him to choose between survival and escape. Cast: Xavier Mills, Tanyell Quian, Champ Johnson.

ABFF sponsors and partners to date are Warner Bros. Discovery and HBO^® (Founding), Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) (Host), Ally Financial, Amazon MGM Studios, Comcast NBCUniversal (Presenting), City of Miami Beach, American Airlines (Major), Sony Pictures Entertainment (Official), Netflix, with the support of the Miami Beach Visitor And Convention Authority, Hartbeat, L’Oréal Groupe, STARZ (Supporting), Motion Picture Association, Uber (Contributing), Nielsen, Fulton Films GA (Associate), Variety, LA Times, Getty Images (Media).

Additional details and programming announcements will be released in the coming weeks. For updates, visit www.nicecrowd.com and follow @ABFF on Twitter and @AmericanBlackFilmFestival on Instagram and Facebook.

To receive ABFF notifications by email, sign up HERE!

About the American Black Film Festival (ABFF)
Founded in 1997 by Jeff Friday, the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is a premier destination for film and television storytelling. Widely regarded as a key pipeline for emerging talent, ABFF has played a pivotal role in launching the careers of many of today’s most acclaimed filmmakers, actors, and creative voices. Each year, the festival brings together artists, industry leaders, and audiences from around the world for a five-day program of screenings, panels, masterclasses, and networking opportunities. The festival’s 30th anniversary edition will take place May 27-31, 2026, in Miami Beach.

About NICE CROWD
NICE CROWD is a pioneering live events company operating at the intersection of culture, entertainment, and tourism. Founded by Nicole and Jeff Friday, the company produces high-impact festivals, awards shows, and destination experiences in major U.S. cities and global markets. Guided by its philosophy, The Power of Gathering, NICE CROWD believes that when people come together, creativity flourishes, new voices are amplified, and meaningful connections are made. The company harnesses that energy to deliver culturally relevant experiences while generating measurable economic impact for its partners. Through expertise in event production, audience engagement, and strategic partnerships, NICE CROWD creates platforms that celebrate groundbreaking artists and innovators while connecting brands, media, and audiences in meaningful ways. www.nicecrowd.com

More information about the American Black Film Festival (ABFF): https://www.abff.com/miami/

Access and Download All Assets HERE (Bios, Headshots, Film Stills, Posters)

Media Contact:
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LOS ANGELES, CA (March 25, 2026) – The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) today announced that its 30th annual edition will open with the thriller Strung, directed by Malcolm D. Lee. The film stars Chloe Bailey as a talented violinist whose prestigious new role as a music tutor for an enigmatic, elite family spirals into a psychological battle for her safety and sanity. Featuring an ensemble cast including Lynn Whitfield, Lucien Laviscount, Anna Diop, and Coco Jones, Strung will make its world premiere at the festival before debuting on Peacock on June 26, 2026. This year’s milestone edition of ABFF with the celebratory theme “Homecoming,” returns to Miami Beach from May 27-31, 2026, honoring three decades of discovery and creative excellence.

“As we celebrate 30 years of the American Black Film Festival, having Malcolm D. Lee return with his latest project, Strung, feels especially right for this moment,” said Nicole Friday, President of NICE CROWD and Producer of ABFF. “Malcolm has been part of the ABFF journey, and his return under our ‘Homecoming’ theme feels truly full circle. It’s a special way to open the festival in Miami Beach as we mark this milestone.”

Written by Alan McElroy, Strung is produced by Peachtree & Vine, Blumhouse, in association with Blackmaled Productions, with Tyler Perry, Jason Blum, Tim Palen, Malcolm D. Lee, Dominique Telson, p.g.a. as Producers; Philip Waley, Shaun S. Sutton, Alan McElroy, Giselle Johnson-Morris serve as Executive Producers.

In addition to the previously announced appointment of Oscar^®, Golden Globe^®, and Emmy^® Award winner Regina King as this year’s Festival Ambassador, ABFF is expanding its footprint with the launch of the ABFF 9:16 Microdrama Project, a first-of-its-kind initiative designed to identify and amplify outstanding vertical content from creators of color.

ABFF sponsors and partners to date are Warner Bros. Discovery and HBO^® (Founding), Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) (Host), Ally Financial, Amazon MGM Studios, Comcast NBCUniversal (Presenting), City of Miami Beach, American Airlines (Major), Sony Pictures Entertainment (Official), Netflix, with the support of the Miami Beach Visitor And Convention Authority, Hartbeat, L’Oréal Groupe (Supporting), Motion Picture Association (Contributing), Nielsen, Fulton Films GA (Associate), Variety, LA Times, Getty Images (Media).

Additional details and programming announcements will be released in the coming weeks. For updates, visit www.nicecrowd.com and follow @ABFF on Twitter and @AmericanBlackFilmFestival on Instagram and Facebook.

To receive ABFF notifications by email, sign up HERE!

About the American Black Film Festival (ABFF)
Founded in 1997 by Jeff Friday, the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is the premier festival dedicated to recognizing Black talent and showcasing film and television content created by and about people of African descent. Widely regarded as the industry’s leading pipeline for emerging Black storytellers, ABFF has played a pivotal role in launching the careers of many of today’s most acclaimed filmmakers, actors, and creative voices. Each year, the festival brings together filmmakers, industry executives, and audiences from around the world for a five-day celebration of storytelling, culture, and career advancement through screenings, panels, masterclasses, and networking opportunities. The festival’s 30th anniversary edition will take place May 27-31, 2026, in Miami Beach.

About NICE CROWD
NICE CROWD is a pioneering live events company operating at the intersection of culture, entertainment, and tourism. Founded by Nicole and Jeff Friday, the company produces high-impact festivals, awards shows, and destination experiences in major U.S. cities and global markets. Guided by its philosophy, The Power of Gathering, NICE CROWD believes that when people come together, creativity flourishes, new voices are amplified, and meaningful connections are made. The company harnesses that energy to deliver culturally relevant experiences while generating measurable economic impact for its partners. Through expertise in event production, audience engagement, and strategic partnerships, NICE CROWD creates platforms that celebrate groundbreaking artists and innovators while connecting brands, media, and audiences in meaningful ways. www.nicecrowd.com

More information about the American Black Film Festival (ABFF): https://www.abff.com/miami/

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Photo Credit
Courtesy of Peacock
Photographer: Ilze Kitshoff

Media Contact:
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New Initiative Identifies, Elevates, And Amplifies Mobile-First Episodic Series By Creators Of Color

LOS ANGELES, CA (January 22, 2026) – The 30th annual American Black Film Festival (ABFF) announced today that the festival is expanding its programming with the launch of the ABFF 9:16 Microdrama Project, a new digital-first initiative designed to identify, showcase, and amplify outstanding vertical microdrama series by creators of color.

Microdramas are short-form, vertical episodic video series built for mobile-first consumption and optimized for popular social media platforms and emerging apps. Typically running one to two minutes per episode, microdramas rely on fast pacing, heightened emotion, and cliffhanger storytelling to drive binge viewing and repeat engagement.

The ABFF 9:16 Microdrama Project positions ABFF at the forefront of this emerging sector by creating a dedicated platform to surface new voices, connect creators with global audiences, and expand access to opportunity within the fast-growing vertical content ecosystem.

“Vertical storytelling is redefining how audiences discover and consume scripted content,” said Jeff Friday, Cofounder & CEO of NICE CROWD and Founder of ABFF. “With the ABFF 9:16 Microdrama Project, we are extending ABFF’s mission into this next frontier and ensuring creators of color are not only represented, but leading the evolution of this format and participating in the economic upside of this rapidly expanding market.”

A select group of standout microdrama series will be chosen through a competitive review process evaluated by industry professionals, including creative executives, producers, and leaders across digital, film, and emerging media. Selected projects will be named Official Selections of the ABFF 9:16 Microdrama Project

Official Selections will receive curated digital-first exhibition across ABFF platforms and integrated visibility within the 2026 American Black Film Festival, providing creators with meaningful exposure, industry recognition, and audience discovery opportunities.

Creators retain full ownership and creative control of their work while benefiting from increased visibility, professional validation, and access to the broader ABFF ecosystem. For submission information and eligibility requirements, please visit the ABFF website, linked HERE.

ABFF sponsors to date include Warner Bros. Discovery and HBO (Founding), Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) (Host), Ally Financial (Presenting), American Airlines, City of Miami Beach (Major), Sony Pictures Entertainment (Official), Netflix, Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority (Supporting), Motion Picture Association (Contributing) and Variety, LA Times (Media).

Additional details and programming announcements will be released in the coming weeks. For updates, visit www.nicecrowd.com and follow @ABFF on Twitter and @AmericanBlackFilmFestival on Instagram and Facebook.

To receive ABFF notifications by email, sign up HERE!

About ABFF:
The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is the premier annual event dedicated to empowering emerging talent and showcasing film and television content by and about people of African descent. Founded in 1997 by Jeff Friday, ABFF has evolved into a leading talent discovery platform, attracting a global community of creators, executives, and fans. Each June, the festival draws more than 7,000 attendees to Miami Beach for five days of screenings, panels, networking, and cultural experiences. Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2026, ABFF continues to serve as both a launchpad for talent and a cultural hub amplifying the diverse intersections of culture and achievement.

About NICE CROWD:
NICE CROWD is a pioneering live events company operating at the intersection of culture, entertainment, and tourism. Founded by Nicole and Jeff Friday, the company produces high-impact festivals, awards shows, and destination experiences in major U.S. cities and global markets. Guided by The Power of Gathering, NICE CROWD believes that when people come together, creativity flourishes, new voices are amplified, and meaningful connections are made. The company’s mission is to harness that energy to drive cultural relevance and deliver measurable economic impact for its partners. With expertise in event production, audience engagement, and strategic partnerships, NICE CROWD showcases groundbreaking artists and innovators creating experiences that resonate with audiences while enabling brands and media to shape a more connected, creative world. www.nicecrowd.com

More information about the American Black Film Festival (ABFF): https://www.abff.com/miami/

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Media Contact:
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LOS ANGELES, CA (January 6, 2026) – The 30th annual American Black Film Festival (ABFF) announced today that the festival is expanding its programming with ABFF SPORTS, a new initiative spotlighting the growing influence of sports content across film, television, and digital media while also celebrating athletes who have successfully transitioned beyond competition into creative, entrepreneurial, and cultural leadership. The track will debut during the upcoming festival taking place May 27-31, 2026, in Miami Beach.

In recent years, the entertainment industry has seen a notable rise in sports-centered storytelling and athlete-driven creative ventures, reflecting the expanding role of sports within today’s entertainment landscape. This growing momentum has shaped ABFF’s long-term vision in this space. ABFF SPORTS now formalizes that evolution, establishing a dedicated platform to spotlight the powerful intersection of sports, storytelling, and culture.

ABFF SPORTS will present a dynamic lineup of screenings, conversations, and immersive experiences that explore the intersection of sports, storytelling, and culture. The programming will highlight the creators, athletes, and innovators driving today’s sports-entertainment landscape and will include:

• Film & Series Screenings – Feature films, documentaries, shorts, and episodic projects centered on athletic journeys, cultural impact, and sports-influenced storytelling, each accompanied by post-screening discussions with filmmakers and talent.
• Panel Discussions – Industry dialogues featuring athletes, executives, producers, directors, and journalists addressing topics such as athlete-led media companies, emerging sports content trends, sports-business storytelling, and new models in sports programming.
• Sports Icon Talks – Intimate one-on-one conversations with influential sports figures whose impact extends into culture, leadership, entrepreneurship, and creative work.
• Interactive Brand Experiences – Onsite installations and activations—including product showcases, athlete appearances, sports-tech demonstrations, and fan engagement—created in partnership with sports and lifestyle brands.

“Black voices have become central to modern sports storytelling, and ABFF is intentionally embracing that cultural force. “As athletes continue to expand their influence in content creation, entrepreneurship, and leadership, we saw a timely opportunity to evolve ABFF in this direction,” said Jeff Friday, Cofounder & CEO of NICE CROWD and Founder of ABFF. “ABFF SPORTS reflects how deeply sports and the narratives born from it shape today’s entertainment landscape.”

“Sports have always been a catalyst for storytelling and cultural expression,” added Nicole Friday, Cofounder and President of NICE CROWD. “This new track expands the festival’s scope and creates fresh opportunities for brands and creators to engage with our audience.”

ABFF sponsors and partners to date include Warner Bros. Discovery and HBO^® (Founding), Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) (Host), Ally Financial (Presenting), American Airlines, City of Miami Beach (Major), Netflix (Supporting), and Variety (Media).

Partnership opportunities for the 2026 ABFF SPORTS launch are now open. The program offers unique integration opportunities for content companies, networks, streamers, and sports-focused media brands looking to showcase original programming, amplify talent, and engage directly with the festival’s influential global audience of creators, executives, industry leaders, and fans.

Additional details and programming announcements will be released in the coming weeks. For updates, visit www.nicecrowd.com and follow @ABFF on Twitter and @AmericanBlackFilmFestival on Instagram and Facebook.

About ABFF:
The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is the premier annual event dedicated to empowering emerging talent and showcasing film and television content by and about people of African descent. Founded in 1997 by Jeff Friday, ABFF has evolved into a leading talent discovery platform, attracting a global community of creators, executives, and fans. Each June, the festival draws more than 7,000 attendees to Miami Beach for five days of screenings, panels, networking, and cultural experiences. Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2026, ABFF continues to serve as both a launchpad for talent and a cultural hub amplifying the diverse intersections of culture and achievement.

About NICE CROWD:
NICE CROWD is a pioneering live events company operating at the intersection of culture, entertainment, and tourism. Founded by Nicole and Jeff Friday, the company produces high-impact festivals, awards shows, and destination experiences in major U.S. cities and global markets. Guided by The Power of Gathering, NICE CROWD believes that when people come together, creativity flourishes, new voices are amplified, and meaningful connections are made. The company’s mission is to harness that energy to drive cultural relevance and deliver measurable economic impact for its partners. With expertise in event production, audience engagement, and strategic partnerships, NICE CROWD showcases groundbreaking artists and innovators creating experiences that resonate with audiences while enabling brands and media to shape a more connected, creative world. www.nicecrowd.com

More information about the American Black Film Festival (ABFF): https://www.abff.com/miami/

Download image HERE

Media Contact:
[email protected]

LOS ANGELES, CA (November 4, 2025) – The 30th annual American Black Film Festival (ABFF) announced today that Oscar^®, Golden Globe^®, and Emmy^® Award-winning actress, director, and producer Regina King will serve as the festival’s Ambassador. A defining voice in contemporary cinema and a longtime advocate for creative authenticity and representation, King embodies the artistic excellence and cultural impact that have defined ABFF for three decades. In her ambassadorial role, she will help champion the festival’s mission to showcase groundbreaking storytelling, elevate emerging talent, and empower the next generation of artists to thrive across film and television. The milestone 30th-anniversary edition of ABFF returns to Miami Beach, Florida, May 27-31, 2026, under the celebratory theme “The Homecoming.”

Regina King’s longstanding relationship with the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) spans nearly three decades, beginning with her early participation in 1997 when the festival was then known as the Acapulco Black Film Festival. As both have grown—King into an acclaimed actor, director, producer, and entrepreneur, and ABFF into a leading global platform for Black creatives—their paths have remained closely aligned in a shared commitment to authentic storytelling and artistic excellence. As Festival Ambassador for ABFF 2026, King will play a central role in the milestone celebration, welcoming attendees on Opening Night and headlining a featured “Creator Conversation with Regina King,” underscoring the enduring connection between her remarkable career and ABFF’s cultural legacy.

“ABFF has championed countless artists and storytellers, growing into a powerful global platform,” said Regina King. “What Jeff and Nicole Friday have built over 30 years has made a lasting impact across our industry. Returning feels like a homecoming – a celebration of our creativity, resilience, and excellence. I’m truly honored to serve as Ambassador for this milestone year.”

“Regina has been part of the ABFF family since the very beginning,” said NICE CROWD CEO and Founder Jeff Friday and President Nicole Friday. “From those early years in Acapulco to everything she’s achieved since, we’ve watched her journey with so much pride — cheering her on from up close and from afar. She represents everything this festival was created to celebrate — artistry, integrity, and excellence. Having her serve as our Festival Ambassador for our 30th year is truly a full-circle moment and a reflection of the mutual respect and admiration we’ve shared over the years.”

Regina King is an award-winning actress, director and producer who has a decades-spanning career in Hollywood beginning with her role as ‘Brenda Jenkins’ in the sitcom 227. She is known for many other memorable roles in films such as Boys N the Hood, Jerry Maguire and Ray to name a few. She won an Oscar for her role in If Beale Street Could Talk and is a four-time Primetime Emmy Award winner for her work in the television series’ American Crime, Seven Seconds and Watchmen. King is also behind the camera directing episodes of acclaimed TV shows such as This Is Us, Scandal and Insecure among others. In 2020, King made history as the first black female director to debut a film at the 77th Annual Venice International Film Festival with One Night in Miami and garnered her a “Best Director – Motion Picture” Golden Globes nomination. In 2021, she was part of the all-star cast in Netflix’s critically acclaimed western film The Harder They Fall. Last year, King portrayed America’s first Black Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm in the feature Shirley again teaming with writer/director John Ridley for Netflix as well as adapted Tom Wolfe’s novel A Man in Full into a Netflix series as executive producer and director with David E. Kelley. Most recently, King directed, and executive produced the Judy Blume adaptation of Forever with showrunner Mara Brock Akil for Netflix which has already been picked up for a second season. She can currently be seen starring opposite Austin Butler in Darren Aronofsky’s crime thriller Caught Stealing for Sony Pictures, based on the books by Charlie Huston. Next up, she will be seen in the film adaptation of Children of Blood and Bone from Tomi Adeyemi’s bestselling YA novel for Paramount directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood slated for release in 2027.

ABFF sponsors and partners to date include Warner Bros. Discovery and HBO^® (Founding), Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) (Host), Ally Financial (Presenting), American Airlines, City of Miami Beach (Major), Netflix (Supporting), and Variety (Media).

Additional details and programming announcements will be released in the coming weeks. For updates, visit www.nicecrowd.com and follow @ABFF on Twitter and @AmericanBlackFilmFestival on Instagram and Facebook.

To receive ABFF notifications by email, sign up HERE!

About ABFF:
The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is the premier annual event dedicated to empowering emerging talent and showcasing film and television content by and about people of African descent. Founded in 1997 by Jeff Friday, ABFF has evolved into a leading talent discovery platform, attracting a global community of creators, executives, and fans. Each June, the festival draws more than 7,000 attendees to Miami Beach for five days of screenings, panels, networking, and cultural experiences. Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2026, ABFF continues to serve as both a launchpad for talent and a cultural hub amplifying the diverse intersections of culture and achievement.

About NICE CROWD:
NICE CROWD is a pioneering live events company operating at the intersection of culture, entertainment, and tourism. Founded by Nicole and Jeff Friday, the company produces high-impact festivals, awards shows, and destination experiences in major U.S. cities and global markets. Guided by The Power of Gathering, NICE CROWD believes that when people come together, creativity flourishes, new voices are amplified, and meaningful connections are made. The company’s mission is to harness that energy to drive cultural relevance and deliver measurable economic impact for its partners. With expertise in event production, audience engagement, and strategic partnerships, NICE CROWD showcases groundbreaking artists and innovators creating experiences that resonate with audiences while enabling brands and media to shape a more connected, creative world. www.nicecrowd.com

More information about the American Black Film Festival (ABFF): https://www.abff.com/miami/

Download image HERE

Media Contact:
[email protected]

The 30th Iteration will be Themed “The Homecoming” and will Reunite Esteemed Alumni on Programming

LOS ANGELES, CA (September 19, 2025) – The American Black Film Festival (ABFF), the premier annual event dedicated to empowering emerging talent and showcasing film and television content by and about people of African descent, today announced dates and a call for submissions for its milestone 30th anniversary edition. The festival will return to Miami Beach, May 27-31, 2026, under the celebratory theme “The Homecoming.”

Founded in 1997 by Jeff Friday, ABFF was conceived to strengthen the independent film community through resource sharing, education, and collaboration. From its trailblazing beginnings, ABFF has evolved into Hollywood’s leading talent discovery platform for people of African descent. Today, it attracts a global community of creators, executives, and enthusiasts. Each June, more than 7,000 attendees gather in Miami Beach for five days of film screenings, panels, master classes, networking, and lifestyle experiences. Submissions are now open, inviting filmmakers to enter their work for consideration in the landmark 30th anniversary edition at www.abff.com/miami/submissions.

Adding to the significance of this year’s milestone, the 2026 festival will introduce a unique curatorial approach: a portion of the lineup will be shaped by ABFF alumni and longtime supporters. These artists, many of whom launched their careers on the ABFF stage, will help design and present programming that ensures the “The Homecoming” theme resonates deeply with the community that has defined the festival’s impact over three decades.

“ABFF has always been about discovery, celebration, and connection,” said Jeff Friday, Founder of ABFF and CEO of NICE CROWD. “For 30 years, we’ve built a platform where diverse talent could be seen, heard, and supported. The Homecoming is about honoring the alumni who helped shape our legacy and inspiring the next generation of storytellers to create work that will define the future.”

“As we celebrate this incredible milestone, we’re reminded of the power of community and the importance of continuing to amplify new voices,” said Nicole Friday, President of NICE CROWD. “ABFF has become more than a festival — it’s a cultural home. We can’t wait to welcome our alumni, audiences, and industry partners back to Miami for what will be our most meaningful celebration yet.”

With talent discovery at its core, ABFF has showcased the talent and early work of filmmakers and artists such as Ryan Coogler, Ava DuVernay, Issa Rae, Kevin Hart, Will Packer, F. Gary Gray, Ben Watkins, Steven Caple Jr., Omari Hardwick, Datari Tuner and Reinaldo Marcus Green. The festival has also attracted ambassadors including Idris Elba, Halle Berry, Taraji P. Henson, Lena Waithe, Anthony Mackie, Regina Hall, Tracee Ellis Ross, Morris Chestnut, Nia Long and Larenz Tate while hosting keynote conversations with Denzel Washington, Angela Bassett, Spike Lee, Queen Latifah, Kerry Washington, Gabrielle Union, Kenya Barris, Mara Brock Akil, Malcolm Lee, Gina Prince-Bythewood and many more.

Film submissions are now open for the 30th annual ABFF in the following categories through February 10.

• Narrative Features – A competitive section of feature-length films directed by, or written and produced by, persons of African descent. Selected films compete for Jury Awards including Best Narrative Feature and Best Director. First-time directors of African descent are also eligible for the John Singleton Award for Best Debut Feature.
• Documentary Features – A competitive section of non-fiction feature-length films directed by or about persons of African descent. Selected films compete for the Jury Award for Best Documentary Feature.
• Series – A competitive section of short-form series directed by, or written and produced by, persons of African descent. Selected works compete for the Jury Award for Best Series.
• Voices of Culture – A non-competitive showcase of short films directed by persons of African descent. Presented by invitation only, this section highlights outstanding works that reflect the breadth of the global Black experience. Films submitted for but not selected as finalists in the HBO^® Short Film Award competition are automatically considered for inclusion.
• African Stories – A non-competitive showcase of short films from Africa’s most dynamic new voices. Curated to highlight the continent’s rich cultural perspectives and storytelling traditions, the program offers a unique window into the creativity driving Africa’s diverse and growing film communities. Note: Submitting to this showcase does not prevent filmmakers from applying to other categories.
• AI and XR Storytelling Showcase – A non-competitive showcase of innovative works created through artificial intelligence and immersive technologies. Curated in partnership with GRX Immersive Labs, the program explores the future of storytelling by featuring bold new voices at the intersection of creativity and technology.

For further information on how to register or submit your film, please visit www.abff.com.

ABFF sponsors and partners to date include Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) (Host), Ally Financial (Presenting), American Airlines, City of Miami Beach (Major), Netflix (Supporting), and Variety (Media).

Additional details and programming announcements will be released in the coming weeks. For updates, visit www.nicecrowd.com and follow @ABFF on Twitter and @AmericanBlackFilmFestival on Instagram and Facebook.

ABOUT ABFF
The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is the premier annual event dedicated to empowering emerging talent and showcasing film and television content by and about people of African descent. Founded in 1997 by Jeff Friday, ABFF has evolved into a leading talent discovery platform, attracting a global community of creators, executives, and fans. Each June, the festival draws more than 7,000 attendees to Miami Beach for five days of screenings, panels, networking, and cultural experiences. Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2026, ABFF continues to serve as both a launchpad for talent and a cultural hub amplifying the diverse intersections of culture and achievement.

ABOUT NICE CROWD
NICE CROWD is a pioneering live events company operating at the intersection of culture, entertainment, and tourism. Founded by Nicole and Jeff Friday, the company produces high-impact festivals, awards shows, and destination experiences in major U.S. cities and global markets. Guided by The Power of Gathering, NICE CROWD believes that when people come together, creativity flourishes, new voices are amplified, and meaningful connections are made. The company’s mission is to harness that energy to drive cultural relevance and deliver measurable economic impact for its partners. With expertise in event production, audience engagement, and strategic partnerships, NICE CROWD showcases groundbreaking artists and innovators creating experiences that resonate with audiences while enabling brands and media to shape a more connected, creative world. www.nicecrowd.com.

More information about the American Black Film Festival (ABFF): https://www.abff.com/miami/

Download images HERE

Media Contact:
[email protected]

MIAMI BEACH, FL (June 14, 2025) – The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) today announced winners of the 2025 Best of the ABFF Awards, the premiere award ceremony honoring storytelling from the next generation of Black filmmakers.

Hosted by three-time Emmy-nominated actor and author Dondré Whitfield, the festival presented winners in the official film selection categories – narrative and documentary features, series and the 28th HBO Short Film Award Showcase. The 29th annual ABFF takes place in Miami Beach June 11-15 and will be available to a global audience June 16-24 on ABFF PLAY (https://abffplay.com/) and spotlights incredible emerging creatives in the filmmaking space.

“We are incredibly proud to honor this year’s Best of ABFF winners whose bold storytelling and visionary filmmaking reflect the brilliance of our creative community,” said Nicole Friday, President of NICE CROWD. “From thought-provoking documentaries to captivating narratives and powerful shorts, these artists are pushing culture forward and redefining what’s possible on screen. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the winners and deep gratitude to our partners — Walmart, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Ally Financial, Comcast NBCUniversal, HBO, and Warner Bros. Discovery — for their continued support of inclusive and impactful storytelling in entertainment.”

The 2025 Jury Award winners are:

• Best Narrative Feature – The Fisherman, Written and Directed by Zoey Martinson; Produced by Kofi Owusu Afriyie, Korey Jackson, and Yvonne Orji
  Presented by Walmart, $2,500 cash prize
• John Singleton Award for Best Debut Feature – Meta Take One, Written and Directed by John Dierre and Ryan Dutter
  Presented by Sony Pictures Entertainment, $2,500 cash prize
• Best Director – Zoey Martinson (The Fisherman)
  Presented by Ally Financial, $2,500 cash prize
• Best Documentary – Black Women and Sex, Directed by Godisamang Khunou,
  $2,500 cash prize
• Best Series – Sideline Story, Written by: Sam Buckner, III; Directed by: Deantè Gray and Sam Buckner, III; Produced by: Sam Buckner, III and Ski-ter Jones
  Presented by Comcast NBCUniversal, $2,500 cash prize
• HBO^® Short Film Award Showcase Winner – ADO, Written by: Sam Henderson and Ryan Romine; Directed by: Sam Henderson
  Presented by HBO and Warner Bros. Discovery, $10,000 cash prize

For festival information, including media credentials and how to obtain an ABFF pass, visit www.abff.com. Follow @ABFF on Twitter and @AmericanBlackFilmFestival on Instagram and Facebook.

Since its inception, the highly anticipated American Black Film Festival has premiered the work and supported the careers of many of today’s most successful filmmakers, actors, writers and stand-up comedians and is recognized as a standard-bearer of excellence for Black creativity. Continuing its legacy to empower Black artists and showcase a wide range of entertainment content will feature studio premieres, independent films, master classes, panels, talent showcases, networking and hospitality events.

ABOUT ABFF
Founded by Jeff Friday in 1997, the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is the leading festival of its kind showcasing Black storytelling. Since its inception, the ABFF has been dedicated to supporting Friday’s conviction that Black artists deserve the same opportunities as their mainstream counterparts. Having premiered the work and encouraged the careers of many of today’s most successful filmmakers and actors, the ABFF has become the standard-bearer of excellence for Black American creativity.

ABFF sponsors and partners to date are Warner Bros. Discovery and HBO (Founding), Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) (Host), Comcast NBCUniversal, Ally Financial, Walmart (Presenting), City of Miami Beach, Amazon MGM Studios (Major), Sony Pictures Entertainment, American Airlines (Official), Netflix, Starz, New World Symphony, AARP, Uber, ESPN, Northwestern Mutual, with the support of the Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority (MBVCA) (Supporting), New York Film Academy (NYFA), Getty Images, A&E, OWN, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), GLAAD, William Morris Endeavor (WME), BET Media Group (Industry), Variety, LA Times (Media).

ABOUT NICE CROWD
NICE CROWD, formerly ABFF Ventures, is a Los Angeles-based live events company that develops and produces properties in the arts, entertainment, lifestyle and wellness industries that showcase BIPOC culture and talent. The Company’s tentpole event is the American Black Film Festival, founded in 1997.

To learn more about NICE CROWD events, visit www.nicecrowd.com.

Media Contact:
[email protected]

Exhibition to Debut June 12–14 During ABFF in Miami Beach

MIAMI BEACH, FL (June 10, 2025) – The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is proud to announce a groundbreaking collaboration with the Art in Black Foundation to present The South African Collective—a debut curatorial art exhibition spotlighting five dynamic visual artists from South Africa. The exhibit, open exclusively to festival attendees, will be on view during ABFF, taking place June 12–14, 2025, at the New World Center in Miami Beach. The catalog of available artwork is HERE.

Curated by Allana Foster Finley of Cur8Africa, The South African Collective is the inaugural fine art initiative of the Art in Black Foundation—founded by Ellis Friday, a visionary young creative committed to cultural connection, with support from his parents, Nicole and Jeff Friday. This curated experience marks an evolution in ABFF’s programming, expanding the festival’s cultural offerings to include global visual art in dialogue with Black film, media, and storytelling.

The idea for this collaboration was born during an immersive art tour through South Africa led by curator Allana Foster Finley and attended by Jeff Friday. Inspired by the depth of artistic talent and cultural expression, the journey laid the foundation for what would become this inaugural showcase.

“This exhibition is an exciting step forward in ABFF’s mission to uplift global Black creatives,” said Jeff Friday, founder of ABFF. “We are proud to provide a platform where African art and cinematic storytelling can exist in conversation, inspiring deeper cultural connection.”

Featured Artists:

Steve Maphoso – A self-taught Angolan-born artist, Maphoso blends acrylic and charcoal to create emotionally resonant portraits. His current series centers on twin boys guided by ancestral intention, exploring themes of migration, ritual, and brotherhood through symbolic narrative and layered abstraction.

Thabiso Dakamela – With roots in Venda and Ndebele heritage, Dakamela’s Afrocentric work examines identity and emotion. His expressive style—often rendered in powerful blues—has earned national recognition, and his DKS Project House supports emerging artists in South Africa.

Assan Taylor – Known for textured portraits combining oil, charcoal, gold leaf, and found materials, Taylor’s work bridges tradition and innovation. His bold, multilayered pieces reflect the vibrancy of contemporary Southern African culture and human connection.

Siyabonga Mlambi – Originating from South Africa’s Eastern Cape, Mlambi’s art is deeply rooted in Nguni tradition and modern innovation. His unique style, Khanda-Art Superblur African Synthetic Cubism, employs fabric, stones, and mixed media to evoke unity, imagination, and spiritual energy.

Ayanda Moyo – A Zimbabwean artist whose work in charcoal and acrylic explores identity and culture, Moyo’s emotionally rich paintings invite deep reflection on the shared human experience through bold, expressive techniques.

Together, these artists bring their individual perspectives to a collective narrative that intersects visual art with the broader mission of ABFF—celebrating and amplifying Black stories worldwide.

About the Art in Black Foundation
Formerly the Film Life Foundation, the Art in Black Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to uplifting works that reflect the richness and diversity of the Black experience. The organization aims to bridge communities through storytelling across all artistic mediums, highlighting the humanity and creativity of people of African descent.

About the American Black Film Festival (ABFF)
Founded in 1997, the American Black Film Festival is the leading festival dedicated to showcasing film and television content by and about people of African descent. Now in its 29th year, ABFF continues to serve as a vital platform for emerging and established Black artists, attracting attendees from around the world to celebrate the power of storytelling in all its forms.

For updates, visit www.abff.com and follow @ABFF on Twitter and @AmericanBlackFilmFestival on Instagram and Facebook.

Download Artists’ Headshots HERE

Catalog of Artwork HERE

Media Contact:
[email protected]

André Holland, Michael Jai White, Method Man, Mike Epps, Yvonne Orji and Lala Anthony to Premiere Films

The 29th Annual ABFF will Open with the HBO Short Film Award Showcase, which has Previously Featured Early Films from Ryan Coogler, Reinaldo Marcus Green & more

LOS ANGELES, CA (May 13, 2025) – The 29th annual American Black Film Festival (ABFF) today announced its lineup of narrative and documentary features, along with the opening night HBO Short Film Award Showcase. This year’s festival will take place live in Miami Beach June 11-15, followed by an online segment June 16-24 on ABFF PLAY (https://abffplay.com/), and spotlights incredible emerging creatives in the filmmaking space.

In past years, the ABFF’s prestigious HBO Short Film Award has helped launch the careers of some of the most successful filmmakers, such as:

• Ryan Coogler (2011 HBO Short Film Award Winner – Fig),
• Reinaldo Marcus Green (2013 HBO Short Film Award Finalist – Stone Cars),
• Rashaad Ernesto Green (2008 HBO Short Film Award Winner – Premature),
• Frank E. Flowers (2003 HBO Short Film Award Winner – Swallow),
• Steven Caple, Jr. (2013 HBO Short Film Award Winner – A Different Tree), and more.

The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) continues to serve as a vital force in Hollywood, spotlighting bold storytelling and fresh creative voices for a global audience. The 2025 festival will feature a compelling lineup of narrative and documentary films from the United States, Canada, Jamaica, Ghana, South Africa, Nigeria, Zambia, United Kingdom, Democratic Republic of Congo and other nations. Audiences can anticipate a powerful selection of narrative features, spanning genres like psychological thriller, romance, and comedy, and delving into culturally resonant issues including grief, friendship, fatherhood, resilience, self-identity vs. collectivism, desperation vs. maintaining artistic integrity, gang violence, and envy & greed.

Hosted by three-time Emmy-nominated actor and author Dondré Whitfield on Saturday, June 14, winners of the films in competition will be announced during the “Best of ABFF Awards” which will include the festival’s hallmark award, the John Singleton Award for Best Debut Feature presented by Sony Pictures Entertainment.

“We are thrilled to bring the American Black Film Festival back to Miami Beach in 2025, continuing our tradition of showcasing bold, original voices and engaging storytelling,” said NICE CROWD President Nicole Friday. “This year’s festival promises an even more expansive lineup of films that reflect the richness of lived experiences and the creativity shaping today’s cinematic landscape. We look forward to an inspiring week that celebrates emerging talent and connects audiences through compelling stories from around the world.”

“The American Black Film Festival has been a cherished longstanding partnership for Miami Beach — culturally, creatively, and economically,” said Miami Beach Mayor Steven Meiner. “ABFF reinforces Miami Beach’s reputation as a global hub for film and art. We welcome the leading voices in Black film and entertainment to our city.”

The full feature and documentary lineup as well as the HBO Short Film Award Showcase for the 2025 American Black Film Festival is listed below and at https://www.abff.com/miami/press-room/press-releases/.

Narrative Features (U.S. & International)

A competitive section for feature-length films directed by, or written and produced by, persons of African descent. Films selected for this section will compete for Jury Awards, including Best Narrative Feature with a cash prize of $2,500 sponsored by Walmart, and Best Director with a cash prize of $2,500 sponsored by Ally Financial. Additionally, if a person of African descent directs a film accepted to this section and it is their first feature film, they will be eligible to compete for the John Singleton Award for Best Debut Feature Film, presented by Sony Pictures Entertainment. The following films represent the 2025 official selections in the Narrative Features category:

Title: Can You Stand The Rain *World Premiere
Logline: A group of lifelong friends reunite after the sudden death of their childhood anchor, only to confront buried dreams, hidden tensions, long-held regrets — and the truth about who they’ve become… and who they still might be.
USA | 90m
Director: Eden Marryshow
Writer: Eden Marryshow
Producer: Eden Marryshow
Cast: John Bermudez, Steve H. Broadnax III, Jaben Early, Devin Haaq, Eden Marryshow, Stephen Conrad Moore, Adesola Osakalumi, Cesa Pledger, Celestine Rae, Jaime Lincoln Smith, Brandhyze Stanley, Analisa Velez, Jasmin Walker

Title: Deadly Visitor *World Premiere
Logline: A woman’s quiet home turns into a deadly standoff when assassins come hunting a stranger and stolen diamonds.
USA | 84m
Director: Aaron L. Williams
Writer: Aaron L. Williams
Producers: Aaron L. Williams, Orlando Eric Street, John Sonny Louis, Allysa Carson
Cast: Danielle Laroach, Maurice P. Kerry, Rodney Perry
Trailer: https://youtu.be/0y4u-xNFPDk

Title: Freight: The Five Incarnations of Abel Green
Logline: Freight: The Five Incarnations of Abel Green operates on the premise that a person’s spirit, or soul, comes to the world because there is something the soul needs to learn. If the soul does not learn it, then it comes back to the world again and again until it’s successful.
USA | 90m
Director: J. Alphonse Nicholson
Writer: Howard L. Craft
Producers: J. Alphonse Nicholson, Tabitha Brown, Nafeesha Nicholson, Stephen “Doc” Love, Juel Taylor, Joseph Megel
Cast: J. Alphonse Nicholson
Trailer: https://youtu.be/WFg_rzMfXRs?si=R2qBE35dwVeeJj_7

Title: HOORAH 99! *World Premiere
Logline: A down-on-his-luck father, in the midst of a foreclosure and other financial woes, convinces his three high-school teenage sons that their only option is to rob a bank.
USA | 122m
Director: Ash Innovator
Writer: Ashley Smith
Producers: Ci Esta
Cast: Travis Johnson, Jeff ‘Ja Rule’ Atkins, Kevin Barbara, Marqi Morgan, Zy’Air Carter, Thashley Ulysses, KiKi the First Lady
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/user197373387/HOORAH99trailer

Title: It Comes In Waves *World Premiere
Logline: A family of four escapes the genocide in Rwanda and lands in Ottawa. They quickly learn that the grass is not always greener on the other side.
Canada | 105m
Director: Fitch Jean
Writer: Sammy Mohamed
Producers: Amir Zargara
Cast: Adrian Walters, Nendia Lewars
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/1064496934/4aba711359

Title: Love, Brooklyn
Logline: Three longtime Brooklynites navigate careers, love, loss, and friendship against the rapidly changing landscape of their beloved city.
USA | 97m
Director: Rachael Abigail Holder
Writer: Paul Zimmerman
Producers: André Holland, Kate Sharp, Liza Zusman, Maurice Anderson, Patrick Wengler
Cast: André Holland, Nicole Beharie, DeWanda Wise, Roy Wood Jr.

Title: Love Offside
Logline: When an undervalued physical therapist secretly takes on a famous rugby player’s recovery using a bold mix of Jamaican herbal remedies and modern therapy, she risks her career—and her heart—in a fight to prove her worth.
Jamaica | 105m
Director: Dale S. Lewis
Writer: Daneil Campbell, Jeanette Milio
Producers: Kimala Bennett, Melissa Llewellyn, Lorisa Bates, Tashara Lee Johnson, Judi Johnson, Victoria Rowell, Mike Merrill
Cast: Judi Johnson, Mike Merrill, Victoria Rowell, Sundra Oakley, Carli McIntrye, Tosh Alexander

Title: Meta Take One
Logline: An obsessive young director & his crew plunge into a frantic night long odyssey of desperation to finish his film no matter the cost.
USA | 96m
Director: John Dierre, Ryan Dutter
Writer: Ryan Dutter and John Dierre
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
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/1064898743

Title: Outdoor School *World Premiere
Logline: In 1994, drugs and gangs surge north up the Interstate 5 corridor, destabilizing Portland, Oregon. Amidst this urban chaos, 12-year-old Vin, homeless in the heart of the city, embarks on a week-long wilderness journey, experiencing Portland’s transformative rite of passage: Outdoor School.
USA | 84m
Director: Ime N. Etuk
Writer: Ime N. Etuk, Kamafi Adio Byrd
Producers: Ime N. Etuk, Ifanyi Bell, Vin Shambry
Cast: Kendrick Cross, Cycerli Ash, Jahi Diallo Winston, Eric Edelstein
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/1055111306/6c36465819

Title: The Fisherman
Logline: In Zoey Martinson’s Venice Film Festival-winning feast of magical realist comedy— aging Ghanaian Atta Oko sets his sights on finally having his own boat and becoming the envy of his village, he’ll just need help from a talking dead fish first.
Ghana | 106m
Director: Zoey Martinson
Writer: Zoey Martinson
Producers: Kofi Owusu Afriyie, Korey Jackson, Yvonne Orji
Cast: Ricky Adelayitar, Endurance Grand, William Lamptey, Kiki Romi, Adwoa Akoto, Dulo Harris
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/1001394859

Title: The Late Night Creep *World Premiere
Logline: An unhappily married man sneaks out of the house to go on a date with his college crush and ends up having the night from hell.
USA | 95m
Director: Jamal Dedeaux
Writer: Jamal Dedeaux
Producers: Rebecca T. Haze, Kris Simms
Cast: Jake Choi, Tosin Morohunfola, Karen Obilom, Siddiq Sanderson, Ali Gallo, Lori Laing, Jason Mitchell, Leslie Jones
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLzFbd0PyL4

Title: The Reject
Logline: Against all odds, a young man labeled as “mentally handicapped” fights against systemic barriers, personal demons, and society’s expectations to rise from the projects and become an influential attorney and politician who challenges the very system designed to hold him back.
USA | 93m
Director: Blademil Grullon
Writer: Yonel Aris, Percy Romeo Miller, Logan Burdick, Kionne Mcghee
Producers: Marco Molinet, Percy Romeo Miller, Brandon Dumlao, Kionne Mcghee
Cast: Percy Romeo Miller, Kamal Ani-Bello, Tsachai “Sky” Aris
Trailer: https://youtu.be/Q5DA8M0xguo

Title: The ReWrite. *World Premiere
Logline: A struggling screenwriter revisits the characters in his script in real life to do a rewrite of his latest draft in order to save his dying career.
USA | 94m
Director: Terry Dawson
Writer: Terry Dawson
Producers: Julie Bersani, Bill Benenson, Laurie Benenson, Terry Dawson
Cast: Stephen Barrington, Freddy D. Ramsey Jr., Elijah R. Reed, Anthony Riggins Jr., Taylor Leigh Edwards, Holly Hyman, Don Wallace, Felice Heather Monteith, Jhey Castles, Jordan Murphy

Title: The Secret Between Us *US Premiere
Logline: Some secrets break us; others can bind us.
USA | 114m
Director: Tamera Hill
Writer: Tamera Hill
Producers: Tamera Hill, Michael Jai White, Reggie Currelley, Suzanne Lyons
Cast: Michael Jai White, Lisa Arrindell, Victoria Rowell, Tre Ryan
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/1080045987

Title: TREASURE HUNT *World Premiere
Logline: A desperately poor ex-con man returns lost expensive jewellery only to discover that a gang of criminals are bent on using him to get the jewellery for themselves.
South Africa | 97m
Director: Chim Onyebilanma
Writer: Chim Onyebilanma
Producers: Chim Onyebilanma, Happiness Mpase
Cast: Moopi Mothibeli, Melissa Mkhize, Thabiso Mokhethi, Patrick Kenny, Crystal Tryon-Smith
Trailer: https://youtu.be/c2mNIRJvhoo

Narrative Features (Out of Competition)

Title: Fight Like A Girl
Logline: A young Congolese woman forced to work in an illegal mineral mine, escapes her captors and finds a new life for herself after joining a renowned all-women boxing club in the border city of Goma. Based on a True Story.
Democratic Republic of Congo | 118m
Director: Matthew Leutwyler
Writer: Matthew Leutwyler
Producers: Anton Laines, Yvette Gayle, Innocent Munyeshuri, Serge Ibaka
Cast: Ama Qamata, Hakeem Kae Kazim, Clarck Ntambwe, Malaika Uwamahoro, Arthur Nkusi, Bahali Ruth, Kennedy Mazimpaka
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/869303140?share=copy

Title: Trouble Man *World Premiere
Logline: An ex-cop turned fixer is hired to find his superstar and rumored ex-girlfriend. With a blend of brains, bullets and Kung Fu, Jaxen must fight through a maze of street thugs, slicksters and Chinese mobsters before his or the diva’s time runs out.
USA | 92m
Director: Michael Jai White
Writer: Michael Stradford
Producers: Craig Baumgarten, Michael Jai White, Ron Robinson
Cast: Michael Jai White, Method Man, Mike Epps, Gillian White, Orlando Jones, Lala Anthony

Documentary Features

A competitive section for non-fiction feature-length films directed by or about persons of African descent. Films selected for this section compete for the Jury Award for Best Documentary Feature with a cash prize of $2,500. The following films represent the 2025 official selections in the Documentary Features category:

Title: Black Women and Sex *World Premiere
Logline: Black Women and Sex explores the tension between black women and the politics of sex in Africa.
South Africa, Nigeria, Zambia | 90m
Director: Godisamang Khunou
Writer: Godisamang Khunou
Producers: Godisamang Khunou, Calvin Sefala, Adelaide Joshua-Hill, Yolanda Ncokotwana, Refiloe Hlabioa, Iris Kaingu, Nthabeleng Phora, Kgomotso Zebediela
Cast: Iris Kaingu, Glow Makatsi, Olawumi Oloye
Trailer: https://youtu.be/ltdv7BbZiao

Title: Carnival: They Can’t Steal Our Joy *US Premiere
Logline: Caribbean Carnival is not just any event. It is liberation, a voice of freedom, people in action, a cultural movement that was born out of a place of righteous defiance to become a paradise of colorful street parade.
Canada | 75m
Director: Ian Mark Kimanje
Writer: Allen Booth and Ian Mark Kimanje
Producers: Ian Mark Kimanje
Cast: Candace Dixon, Fiona Compton, and Ian Mark Kimanje
Trailer: https://youtu.be/o_RPfSkrxsM

Title: Fatherless No More
Logline: Fatherless No More chronicles the remarkable journey of an Orlando-based pastor and former Super Bowl Champion who was driven by a divine calling to move into an RV at a place often deemed hell on earth, Rikers Island.
USA | 86m
Director: Kayla Johnson, Co-director Ashly Robinson
Producers: Cole Anthony, Cece Winans, Ashly Robinson, Kayla Johnson, Michelle Duffie
Cast: Tim Johnson, Malik Bacchus, Jayden Mayo, and Tristian Williams

Title: Good Shot *World Premiere
Logline: In the heart of Watts, a beloved neighborhood legend named Maxwell seeks redemption as a father after a lifetime of using basketball to mask his pain.
USA | 81m
Director: Joris Debeij
Writer: Walter Thompson-Hernández
Producers: Jean Mougin, Joris Debeij, Aron Phillips, Stephen Curry, Erick Peyton, Steve Wood
Cast: Maxwell Henderson

Title: Love, Joy & Power: Tools For Liberation *World Premiere
Logline: Love, Joy & Power: Tools for Liberation is a feature length documentary about the co-founders of the Black Voters Matter Fund, Cliff Albright and LaTosha Brown, the work they do to empower African American communities especially in the rural south, and the crucial role they played in flipping Georgia from red to blue in the 2020 Presidential election and the 2021 Georgia Senate Runoffs and the numerous threats they faced to do the work.
USA | 96m
Director: Daresha Kyi
Producers: Trevite Willis, Daresha Kyi
Cast: LaTosha Brown, Cliff Albright, April England Albright
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/929955295?from=outro-local

Title: Moses
Logline: In San Francisco, a man enduring homelessness for two decades connects with passersby to be seen among the invisible—a skill he learned from a promising music career cut short in the ’70s, and one that will ultimately transform his life.
USA/SPAIN | 127m
Director: Fran Guijarro
Writer: Fran Guijarro
Producers: Fran Guijarro, Diya Guha & Juli López
Cast: Moses
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/freerangepuppies/mosestrailer

Title: SPADURA *World Premiere
Logline: Framed as an off-kilter baby shower, SPADURA unapologetically takes on the emotional and financial cost of IVF, grief, aging, as well as the unique fertility obstacles faced by Black women in America — all through a funny and gripping solo show.
USA | 60m
Director: Allison Caviness
Writer: Dahéli Hall
Producers: Elizabeth Yng-Wong
Cast: Dahéli Hall

Title: Wait Until Tomorrow *World Premiere
Logline: An intimate, urgent portrait of race, wealth, and opportunity in America, told through the eyes of Black families striving for more in cities across the nation.
USA | 70m
Director: Osato Dixon
Writer: Osato Dixon, Kara Murphy
Producers: Kelley Robins Hicks, Jamund Washington
Cast: Shelley Stewart III, Sara Prince, Tiffany Burns, JP Julien, Avis E., Crystal F., Antonio G., Kandice J., Armond J.
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/1083669581?share=copy

Series

A competitive section for short-form episodic series directed by, or written and produced by, persons of African descent. Series selected for this section compete for the Jury Award for Best Series with a cash prize of $2,500 sponsored by Comcast NBCUniversal. The following are the 2025 official selections in the Series category:

Title: Ainsi va Manu – Hogtown Episode 203 *US Premiere
Logline: Forced to leave her hometown temporarily, Manuela finds it difficult to adapt to her new surroundings. She has only one thing on her mind: moving back to Toronto. However, an unexpected encounter turns Manuela’s life upside down, calling into question everything she’s known up to now.
Canada | 21m
Director: Josiane Blanc
Writer: Josiane Blanc
Producers: Josiane Blanc, Ania Jamila
Cast: Cindy Charles, Sandra Dorélas, Jamaal Mansaray, Laurence Barrette, Ted Pluviose, Madani Tall, Maïka Ferron, Nam Nguyen
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/920086803

Title: I Hate My Love Life
Logline: After years of bickering, a well-seasoned married couple decide to go on dates with other people to see if the grass is really greener on the other side; only to find out they are not prepared for the woes of new-age dating.
USA | 15m
Director: Tiffany Jackman
Writer: Tiffany Jackman
Producers: Tiffany Jackman, Orion Phillips II, Nia Watenza, Paula Spencer
Cast: Reggie Hayes, Terri J. Vaughn, Daphnique Springs, Orion Phillips II, Meghan Falcone, Roy Wood Jr.
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/1046554296

Title: IntelliGent
Logline: Regent, an autistic genius in fourth grade is lured by a bully’s promise of popularity, setting off a race against time to unveil the truth and avoid a year of humiliation and disaster.
USA | 28m
Director: Kinnik Sky
Writer: Kinnik Sky
Producers: Kinnik Sky
Cast: Josiah Howard-Tobia, Ernest Thomas, Kinnik Sky, Nia Johnson, Harper Bree, Rhaja Leigh, Dylan Taylor, Jaeden White
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5N1x7MLAfGE

Title: OFFBEAT *World Premiere
Logline: A quirky yet classy late 20s woman struggles to hide her true self as she leads an entertaining double life.
USA | 29m
Director: Jasmine Ogunjimi
Writer: Paige Carroll
Producer: Paige Carroll
Cast: Breayre Tender, Robert Daniels, G’ionna Bowman, Craig Amar Johnson, April Rock, Dominick Johnson, Ahmenah Richardson
Trailer: https://youtu.be/naNioRtshd0

Title: Sideline Story *World Premiere
Logline: Hezi and Parker are two ex-basketball phenoms who find themselves in a similar predicament of financial struggles, soon to realize that ball might be the solution to both of their problems.
USA | 24m
Directors: Deantè Gray, Sam Buckner, III
Writer: Sam Buckner, III
Producers: Sam Buckner, III, Ski-ter Jones
Cast: Ezekiel Ajeigbe, Shan Moreno, David Reivers, Sophina DeJesus, King Martin
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXoDUXq0Vu8

Title: The Hype
Logline: A young Black couple battles the sleazy sea of L.A. materialistic culture at a party in the Hollywood Hills.
USA | 18m
Director: Justin Casselle
Writers: Maya Cryor, Joel Boyd
Producers: Ramone Hulet, Christopher McQueen, Maya Cryor, Joel Boyd
Cast: Maya Cryor, Joel Boyd, Ezekiel Ajeigbe, Alexis Brown, Fana Tesfagiorgis, Eliza Skinner, Randall Harr

HBO^® Short Film Award Showcase

A competitive section for narrative shorts directed by, or written and produced by, persons of African descent. Now in its 28th year, the HBO^® Short Film Award is regarded as one of the most prestigious short film showcases in the country. Five filmmakers are selected as finalists and receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the festival. The Grand Prize winner receives a $10,000 cash award, while each of the four runner-up finalists receives $5,000. The ABFF is an Academy Award-qualifying festival for the Short Film category. The following films represent the finalists for the 2025 HBO Short Film Award.

Title: ManBooBs *World Premiere
Logline: At a pool party for his crush, an overweight Black teenager wrestles with shame and self-worth, risking heartbreak and humiliation to finally tell her how he feels.
USA | 14m
Director: Luke Harris
Writer: Luke Harris
Producers: Luke Harris, Jeremy Blum
Cast: Bryant Tardy, Bethany Livers, Camden Collier, Dwight Nelson, Milan Fields
Trailer: https://youtu.be/rfyvcXP_hLs

Title: A Beauty Supply in Queens *World Premiere
Logline: In Queens, NY, Nigerian mother Ms. Aji and her daughter Tobi fight to keep their beauty supply store afloat amid ruthless competition and sabotage from rival shops.
USA | 19m
Directors: Oluseyi Olatujoye, Princess Adenike
Writer: Princess Adenike
Producers: Princess Adenike, Caroline Chikezie, Oluseyi Olatujoye, Queensly Ajibola, Shalom C. Obiago
Cast: Caroline Chikezie, Clem Cheung, Princess Adenike, Paul Wang, Angella Katherine, Angela Chew, Queensly Ajibola, Keisha T. Fraser, Andrew Hsu, Natividad Alemany, Ayaan Diop, Alaia Diop, Ase Diop, Celia Au, Khoa Nguyen

Title: ADO
Logline: Ms. Hopkins is rehearsing Much Ado About Nothing with her middle school theatre class when it is interrupted by a school shooter.
USA | 16m
Director: Sam Henderson
Writer: Sam Henderson, Ryan Romine
Producer: Rachel Jobin
Cast: Jenifer Lewis, Zachary Lane, Karis Henderson

Title: In Good Hands
Logline: Minutes before the end of her shift, a Black ER Doctor is forced to take on two of the most challenging patient circumstances of her career in a tense Western, PA hospital.
USA | 14m
Director: Nick Buchheit
Writer: Yasmine Crawley
Producers: Carl Kurlander, Janet Smith
Cast: Channel Jones-Harris, Malcolm Thompson
Trailer: https://youtu.be/xvyBLrIOPRk

Title: Last Hoorah at G-Baby’s
Logline: After blowing through her cash inheritance, an aimless and apathetic art school grad must come up with five months of back rent or she risks eviction from her rent-controlled apartment in a gentrifying Brooklyn.
USA | 15m
Director: DeeDee Casimir
Writer: DeeDee Casimir
Producers: DeeDee Casimir, Kim Coleman, Jordan Shanks
Cast: Armani Greer, Cecelia Friday, BeeBe Smith, Thomas Copeland Jr., Chaine “CJ Fly” Downer
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nb9uc1044jk

Voices Of Culture

A non-competitive showcase of short films directed by persons of African descent. This section is by invitation only, with films submitted to but not accepted as finalists for the HBO Short Film Award automatically considered for inclusion. The following films represent the 2025 official selections in this category:

Title: 333
Logline: Mona is grappling with her past choice to have an abortion but upon learning women’s choices are taken away builds a bomb planning an attack on a local Supreme Court Justice motivated by the Roe v. Wade overturning.
USA | 21m45s
Director: Naturi Naughton-Lewis
Writer: Naturi Naughton-Lewis, Korstiaan Vandiver
Producers: Two Lewis, Naturi Naughton-Lewis, Curshion Jones
Cast: Birgundi Baker, Naturi Naughton-Lewis, Vanessa Bell Calloway, John Clarence Stewart, Samuel Smith, Isley Key Brison
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/1056658648

Title: all the love i could handle
Logline: all the love i could handle is a re-imagining of the filmmaker’s mother’s young diary, unraveling the raw complexities of Black motherhood, artistic ambition, and the enduring sacrifices women have to make as mothers and artists. Based on the true family story of pioneer filmmaker Kathleen Collins (Losing Ground, 1982).
USA | 14m
Director: Ruby Rose Collins
Writer: Ruby Rose Collins
Producer: Ruby Rose Collins
Cast: Breanna Williams, Yasir LaFond

Title: Always, Most Of The Time *World Premiere
Logline: A remorseful woman discovers a magical stone that allows her to travel back in time, giving her the chance to mend her broken relationship and confront the personal traumas that have plagued her life.
USA | 39m56s
Director: Victor V. Hogan II
Writer: R. Alan Brooks
Producers: Michael Quigley, Kyle Vaughn, Victor V. Hogan II, Benton Aladin, R. Alan Brooks, Patti Kim Gill
Cast: Brittany S. Hall, Patrick Walker
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/1070187988?share=copy

Title: BALACLAVA *World Premiere
Logline: In a village overshadowed by an abusive priest father, Maya longs for freedom and expression.
South Africa | 8m
Director: Kagiso Samuel Leburu
Writer: Kagiso Samuel Leburu
Producers: Mapitso Ralephata, Bonolo Bogopane
Cast: Lethabo Mekoa, Collen Modisa, Mannini Mokhuthu
Trailer: https://youtu.be/JByGygecjSs

Title: Blown Chances *World Premiere
Logline: A young woman tries to get a letter of recommendation from her job at the corner store, she is given one chance to prove herself but things get out of hand leading to an explosive intrusion.
USA | 10m45s
Director: India Bey
Writer: India Bey
Producers: Samiyah Wardlaw, Camille Chambers, Briuana Draper, India Bey
Cast: Jean Marie Landham, Deon Rodd

Title: Demons
Logline: A London cop returns to Lagos, risking everything to avenge his lover’s death, battling corruption and confronting his own demons in a heart-wrenching quest for justice.
Nigeria, United Kingdom | 20m37s
Director: Emmanuel Imani
Writer: Emmanuel Imani
Producers: Emmanuel Imani, Byron McNally
Cast: Emmanuel Imani, Fela Lufadeju, Ronke Adekoluejo, Abayomi Aka, Chris Jarman
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/956746445

Title: Don’t Hang Up
Logline: In rural Hayti, Missouri a pint-drinking churchgoer confronts her past when an unexpected call from her former student disrupts her Sunday routine. Together they navigate their harsh, shared history, igniting a journey of reconciliation and redemption to save a life.
USA | 10m
Director: Diamond Batiste
Writer: Ron McCants
Producers: Ron McCants, Ramfis Myrthil, Alain Fleury, Diamond Batiste, L.T. Hines II
Cast: Paula Jai Parker, LT Hines II

Title: Duende *World Premiere
Logline: Having haters is not a new thing, Genius has always been met with envy, just ask Mozart… or Tupac.
USA | 20m
Directors: Kevin Kittle, Petey McGee
Writers: Petey McGee, Robert Patricio
Producers: Petey McGee, Lazarus Simmons, Maxim Jean, Robert Patricio, Walker Clermont
Cast: Petey McGee, Robert Patricio, Maxim Jean, Walker Clermont, Lazarus Simmons
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBww4lNen9g

Title: elle/elle *World Premiere
Logline: After hosting a disastrous dinner party, a long term couple fights for their marriage and identities triggered by Elle’s recent coming out as a trans woman to her gay husband, Fritz.
USA | 20m
Director: Kelley Kali
Writer: Shonnie Jackson
Producers: Kelley Kali, Jenna Cavelle, Brittani Ward, la georgea
Cast: la georgea, Dan Bucatinsky, L’lerrét Jazelle
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/1081181778?share=copy#t=0

Title: Fufu and Soup *World Premiere
Logline: Panicked by her lack of sexual experience, a woman schemes to lose her virginity on the night of her 29th birthday party.
USA | 15m
Director: Marjan Mona Koffa
Writer: Marjan Mona Koffa
Producers: Oona Wuolijoki, Marjan Mona Koffa
Cast: Adriyan Rae, Patrick Cage II, Chaize Macklin, Kyra Weeks, Dan Cathcart
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/1081661232?share=copy

Title: Graduation Day *World Premiere
Logline: “Graduation Day” is an edgy coming-of-age dramedy following high school senior Cheech as he navigates his identity, a love triangle with his best friend Sparkes, longtime crush Jayla, and the bittersweet chaos of growing up in NYC—all while rocking a red sparkly suit and surviving a party bus ride that takes his big day in some unexpected directions.
USA | 15m
Director: Jordan Aaron Hall
Writer: Jordan Aaron Hall
Producers: Jordan Aaron Hall, Kevaughn Reid
Cast: Jordan Aaron Hall, Nathaniel Logan Mcintyre, Kaci Walfall, Narci Regina, KJ Aikens
Trailer: https://youtu.be/tAZUv0XW_1A?si=wCtBoyzXkIQqIR1P

Title: HARLEM FRAGMENTS
Logline: An Afro-futurist scrapbook storytelling of a Harlem Black family’s beautiful destruction during the 2008 recession. Based on true events.
USA | 17m
Director: Cameron Tyler Carr
Writers: Cameron Tyler Carr, Danielle Therese Dougé, Wes Andre Goodrich
Producers: Harlem Renaissance Productions, Keep or Destroy Productions, Black Man Films LLC, Trujulo Productions, Flor De Oro Tejada, Salma Qarnain, Fanshen Cox
Cast: Kyle Keyes, Stella Coviello, Roderick Lawrence, Clarissa Thibeaux, Christina Clements-Thompson, Jaleeca Yancy
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/818842637

Title: Hatchlings *World Premiere
Logline: A resentful teenager is forced to babysit her turtle-obsessed half-brother; meanwhile, he dives into a vivid fantasy world where he is a sea turtle and she is a tortoise.
USA | 15m
Director: Jahmil Eady
Writer: Jahmil Eady
Producers: Tara Austin
Cast: Demi Singleton, Christian Robinson, Dominic Stephens, and Angela Lewis
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/1052473738

Title: Many Thousands Lost *World Premiere
Logline: After believing him to be at work, an inquisitive young girl must come to terms with losing her father once she learns he has been sentenced to death.
USA | 16m
Director: Jehan Patterson
Writer: Jehan Patterson
Producers: Chirsten Vanderbilt-Ellis, Amirah Adem, Marlana Dunn
Cast: Celeste Clark, Sheldon Frett, Tristina Lee, Kris Sidberry
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/1081722949?share=copy#t=0

Title: Moving Mountains
Logline: A young, Black man from Tulsa, Oklahoma, Tre’lan seeks a new life and travels to a remote island of Hawaii, where he finds peace for the first time, through connection to nature, and finds meaning, through a newfound love of the ocean and big wave surfing.
USA | 21m
Director: Jessa Williams
Producers: EP: Jessa Williams, Peter Goetz, Backroads Pictures | Producer: Tre’lan Michael
Cast: Tre’lan Michael
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/954035631

Title: Nothin’ Good & 12th Street *World Premiere
Logline: Over the course of one night, two teenagers, two crooks, and one hitman all try to get their hands on a bag of stolen cash.
USA | 15m43s
Director: Tone Foster
Writer: Tone Foster
Producers: Yonel Cohen, Tone Foster
Cast: T.K. Richardson, Christian Carter, Thomas Avona, Jerimiyah Dunbar, Tjader France, Oscar Jordan, Jon Doss

Title: Ree’s Destiny *World Premiere
Logline: On the day of her debut, Ree, a 43-year-old aspiring rapper, is sabotaged by her defiant daughter Destiny.
USA | 15m35s
Director: Steven Mosley
Writer: Steven Mosley
Producers: Steven Mosley, Jenna Mahmoud Bosco, Sherry Thompson, Adam Taylor, Jay Thames
Cast: Jessica “Jess Mahogany” Mitchell, Cia Jaye
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/1081008098?share=copy

Title: Rehash *World Premiere
Logline: A coder beta tests a groundbreaking program after a breakup.
USA | 17m31s
Director: Kevin Giles
Writer: Kevin Giles
Producer: Samiyah Wardlaw
Cast: Niguel Quinn, Mister Fitzgerald, Nia Nichole, Emily Dale White
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/1046035320

Title: Sadness of Men *World Premiere
Logline: When a rancher learns he’s going to be a father, he must confront the trauma of his abusive past to break the cycle and build a future rooted in love and truth.
USA | 11m34s
Director: Eli Moss
Writer: Eli Moss
Producers: Otis Moss III, Kelly Pope, Judson Brown
Cast: Joshua Griffin, Daion Hubbard, Jade Bryant, Farris Langley, Luke Steward
Trailer: https://youtu.be/wUw37P4KE8M?feature=shared

Title: Sugar Dumplin
Logline: A young woman desires to reconnect with her estranged father who is struggling with dementia by creating food from his Caribbean childhood.
Canada | 20m
Director: Tristan Barrocks
Writer: Tristan Barrocks
Producers: Natanya Barrocks, Chantel Riley, Donisha Prendergast
Cast: Oliver Samuels, Chantel Riley, Nancy Kenny, Crystal C. Rose, Jacqueline Greer Graham
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/1004731619

Title: The Black Bart of Taco King #17 *World Premiere
Logline: A suave larcenist searches for a new partner at a dive bar and finds the perfect Bonnie to his Clyde. He takes her to dinner to put her to the test, yet she has all the answers… and more.
USA | 12m40s
Director: Rickey Larke
Writer: Rickey Larke
Producers: Lorelle Lynch, Lo Howard, Lyandre Pierre, Julian Park, Charles Taylor Goubeaud
Cast: Jasmine Mathews, Christopher Dietrick & Derrick A. King
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/1041792905

Title: The Inconvenience Store *World Premiere
Logline: When five unlikely strangers get stuck in a gas station during an alien invasion, they must put their differences aside and work together to survive.
USA | 13m
Director: Ifeanyi Ezieme
Writer: Nzinga Kadalie Kemp
Producers: Fabiola Rodriguez
Cast: Hidekun Hah, Artrece Johnson, Allison Ohara, Joey Herman, Christian Ramirez Loya

Title: Zeke *World Premiere
Logline: Zeke is a dark satire about a trusted barbershop owner who betrays a loyal client, forcing him to confront the culture of silence that pervades their Brooklyn community.
USA | 20m
Director: Kerry Coddett
Writer: Kerry Coddett
Producer: Krystal Payne
Cast: Hassan Johnson, Stephen Cofield, Sam Jay, Kerry Coddett
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/1060195619/65648c1250

Founded by Jeff Friday in 1997, the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) has become a premier showcase for distinctive storytelling and emerging talent. Since its inception, the festival has championed access and opportunity for creatives who have historically been overlooked by the mainstream industry. ABFF has played a pivotal role in launching the careers of many of today’s acclaimed filmmakers and actors, establishing itself as a vital platform for artistic excellence and cinematic innovation

ABFF sponsors and partners to date are Warner Bros. Discovery and HBO^® (Founding), Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) (Host), Comcast NBCUniversal, Ally Financial, Walmart (Presenting), City of Miami Beach, Amazon MGM Studios (Major), Sony Pictures Entertainment, American Airlines (Official), Netflix, Starz, New World Symphony, AARP, Uber, ESPN, Northwestern Mutual, with the support of the Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority (MBVCA) (Supporting), New York Film Academy (NYFA), Getty Images, A&E, OWN, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), GLAAD (Industry), Variety, LA Times (Media).

About NICE CROWD
NICE CROWD, formerly ABFF Ventures, is a Los Angeles-based live events company that develops and produces properties in the arts, entertainment, lifestyle and wellness industries that showcase culture and talent. The Company’s tentpole event is the American Black Film Festival, founded in 1997.

To learn more about NICE CROWD events, visit www.nicecrowd.com.

Download Film Key Art & Images HERE.

Media Contact:
[email protected]

More information about the 29th annual American Black Film Festival (ABFF): https://www.abff.com/miami/.