SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

This screenwriting master class offers practical guidance on the fundamentals of screenwriting and the creative process. Participants will explore how to develop compelling story ideas, build memorable characters, structure a screenplay, and translate their creative vision to the page. The session will provide participants with valuable insights, tools, and techniques to take their craft to the next level. Featuring NYFA instructor Randall Dottin.

Hello Sunshine, and Ally present The Rise, a five-part documentary series tracing the momentum, power, and undeniable rise of women’s professional sports. This is more than a hot streak — it’s a long-overdue shift, built by the athletes, leaders, and changemakers who’ve been putting in the work long before the spotlight caught up. Episode two, The New Moneyball, captures the record-breaking seasons, bold vision, and game-changing voices proving women’s sports aren’t just having a moment — they’re changing the future and building a legacy.

The 2026 HBO Short Film Showcase spotlights five finalists from the 30th American Black Film Festival, selected from thousands of submissions. Together, these films reflect the vitality, humor, and complexity of contemporary Black storytelling.

The program features Spilled Milk, written and directed by Jared Leaf; We Had Fun, written and directed by Linda Lô; Facade, written and directed by Modupe Thompson; The Truth About Space, written and directed by Jeremiah Towolawi; and FLY, written and directed by Carlton Daniel Jr.

Following the screening, join Modupe Thompson for a conversation about her work and creative journey.

Experience the winner of the 2026 ABFF Grand Jury Prize for Best Narrative Feature. Inspired by Krzysztof Kieślowski’s Three Colors Trilogy, this powerful anthology reimagines the concept through the colors of the Pan-African flag, weaving together three compelling stories of liberation, unity, and prosperity. Featuring an acclaimed ensemble cast including Loretta Devine, Bashir Salahuddin, and Peyton Alex Smith, the film offers a moving portrait of identity, resilience, and the many dimensions of contemporary Black life. Talkback to follow with co-director Elijah Davis.

Starring: Loretta Devine, Bashir Salahuddin, Peyton Alex Smith, Sibongile Mlambo, Stephen Bishop, Kimrie Lewis

ABFF 2026 Winner: Grand Jury Prize – Best Narrative Feature; Performance Award – U.S. Narrative Feature (for Bashir Salahuddin)

Film incentives have become an increasingly important tool for attracting productions, creating jobs, and building sustainable film and television industries. This panel will bring together industry leaders to discuss how incentive programs work, what filmmakers and producers need to know to take advantage of them, and the impact they can have on local economies and production communities. The conversation will focus specifically on the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program (TMIIIP) and the Houston Feature Film Incentive Program (HFFIP), exploring how state and local incentives can work together to make Texas—and Houston in particular—a competitive and production-friendly destination for feature films and other moving-image projects. Featuring Jorge Franz, Senior Vice President, Tourism and Industry Relations

Icons, Idols + Influencers is a live conversation series featuring celebrated figures and influential voices shaping culture across entertainment, sports, business, and beyond.

Acclaimed actor and producer Larenz Tate joins us for an intimate conversation reflecting on his remarkable career, creative journey, and enduring impact on film and television. From his recent role in Michael to the highly anticipated Don’t Ever Wonder, starring alongside Nia Long, Tate will reflect on the defining moments that have shaped his career, his longevity in the industry, and what’s ahead.

A sharp and engaging romantic comedy, Funny Feelings explores what happens when the chemistry behind a successful partnership becomes impossible to contain. Vena “Pretty Vee” Excell and Tristan “Mack” Wilds star as longtime performers whose irresistible “are-they-or-aren’t-they” dynamic has fueled a decade-long comedy empire.

When a career-defining special places their partnership, and the feelings they have never fully confronted, before a viral audience, the boundary between performance and reality begins to dissolve. Also starring Terri J. Vaughn, Funny Feelings balances wit, warmth, and emotional insight in a contemporary exploration of love, friendship, ambition, and the risks of finally telling the truth. Following the screening, the filmmakers will join us for a conversation about the film’s themes, insights, and the film’s creative vision.

ABFF 2026 Nominee: Grand Jury Prize for Best Narrative Feature; Directing Award for Best Narrative Feature