SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Winner of the 2026 ABFF Grand Jury Prize for Best Narrative Feature, this powerful anthology draws inspiration from Krzysztof Kieślowski’s Three Colors trilogy and reimagines its framework through the colors of the Pan-African flag. Weaving together three compelling stories centered on liberation, unity, and prosperity, the film presents a moving portrait of identity, resilience, and the many dimensions of contemporary Black life. Following the screening, join Elijah Davis and Allison A. Waite for a conversation about their work and creative journey. Moderated by Mohamed Williams.

The acclaimed ensemble cast includes Loretta Devine, Bashir Salahuddin, Peyton Alex Smith, Sibongile Mlambo, Stephen Bishop, and Kimrie Lewis.

Directors: Elijah Davis, Allison A. Waite, and Tyler Ocasio Holmes

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

ABFF 2026 Awards: Grand Jury Prize for Best Narrative Feature; Performance Award, U.S. Narrative Feature, Bashir Salahuddin

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 Carolyn McDonald.

Join us for an unforgettable evening of film and conversation as we explore the meaning of family, legacy, and belonging through a screening of the award-winning short film The Heir, presented by Events DC.

Set in a rapidly changing Washington, D.C. neighborhood, The Heir follows Addison Lee as she returns to her late grandmother’s home to make a life-changing decision: preserve a cherished family legacy or let go of the place that has defined generations. As family tensions rise, the film reveals that inheritance is about far more than property. It’s about the stories, values, memories, and identities we pass from one generation to the next.

Following the screening, guests are invited to participate in The Stories We Inherit, a moderated conversation exploring the universal themes at the heart of the film. Together, we’ll reflect on the meaning of home, the impact of changing communities, and the complexities of honoring the legacy we inherit.

Whether you’ve experienced the pull of family history, witnessed your neighborhood evolve, or simply believe in the power of storytelling to bring people together, this event offers a meaningful opportunity to connect, reflect, and celebrate the ties that shape us.

Come experience an afternoon of impactful storytelling and empowering dialogue about legacy, identity, and the true meaning of home.

Your money story doesn’t start with a portfolio – it starts with what you’ve seen, what you’ve survived, and what you refused to accept. This conversation explores how the moves you make with your money today become the foundation you leave for everyone who comes after you. From the rise of Unrivaled – the women’s 3-on-3 league rewriting what’s possible for athletes on and off the court – to ABFF’s 30 years of betting on Black storytelling before the industry caught up, to Ally’s mission to close the wealth gap for good. Real talk about building wealth on your own terms, creating opportunity for the next generation, and making sure your legacy hits different.

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 Documentary Feature. Go beyond the iconic slogan and discover the visionary artist who helped inspire a cultural movement. This award-winning documentary celebrates legendary photographer and activist Kwame Brathwaite, whose groundbreaking work transformed perceptions of Black beauty and identity over a remarkable six-decade career. Featuring appearances from Alicia Keys, Swizz Beatz, Gabrielle Union, Jesse Williams, and members of the Brathwaite family, the film is a powerful tribute to art, activism, and cultural legacy.

Director: Yemi Bamiro

ABFF 2026 Winner: Grand Jury Prize – Best Documentary Feature

Celebrate the enduring legacy of Brown Sugar, the beloved romantic comedy that explores friendship, ambition, and love through a shared passion for hip-hop. Starring Taye Diggs and Sanaa Lathan, the film follows lifelong friends Dre and Sidney as they navigate careers, relationships, and the possibility that the love they have been searching for has been there all along.

Following the screening, Taye Diggs joins us for a special conversation reflecting on the making of the film, its cultural impact, and why Brown Sugar continues to resonate with audiences more than two decades later.

True crime is more than headlines and reenactments – it’s a lens into psychology, justice, and the lived experiences of Black communities. Join TV One for a conversation exploring the evolution of Black true crime storytelling, the responsibility of telling these stories with cultural nuance, and why representation behind and in front of the camera matters. Featuring producers, talent, and industry leaders from TV One and beyond, this panel examines how the network is shaping the narrative around stories that focus on us, while making space for the broader community of storytellers pushing this genre forward.

From director Nina Lee comes a fresh romantic comedy about love, ambition, and the choices that define us. Starring Kountry Wayne, Coco Jones, Tabitha Brown, and Loretta Devine, THAT’S HER follows a career-driven marketing executive caught between romance and professional ambition as his carefully planned future takes an unexpected turn. Stay after the screening for an exclusive conversation with director Nina Lee. Following the screening, join Nina Lee for a conversation about her work and creative journey. Moderated by Ashley Brittney Silva.

Director: Nina Lee | Starring: Kountry Wayne, Coco Jones, Emmy Raver-Lampman, Loretta Devine, Charity Jordan, J. Alphonse Nicholson, Tabitha Brown

ABFF 2026 Nominee: Directing Award – Best Narrative Feature