Festival of Films by African-Americans Unveils Dates for 2026 and Begins Accepting Film Submissions
American Black Film Festival Celebrates 30th Anniversary in Miami
The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is set to celebrate its 30th anniversary from May 27 to May 31, 2026, in Miami, Florida. This prestigious event, a cultural home for diverse talent, has always been about discovery, celebration, and connection.
Jeff Friday, the festival's founder and CEO of Nice Crowd, reiterated this sentiment, stating that the festival has provided a platform for diverse talent to be seen, heard, and supported for three decades.
The theme for the 2026 festival is "The Homecoming," aiming to honour the alumni who have helped shape the festival's legacy and inspire the next generation of storytellers. Notable alumni such as Idris Elba, Halle Berry, Taraji P. Henson, Lena Waithe, Anthony Mackie, Regina Hall, Tracee Ellis Ross, Morris Chestnut, Nia Long, and Larenz Tate have served as ambassadors for the festival in the past.
Participating alumni will help design and present programming that aligns with "The Homecoming" theme and showcases the festival's impact since its inception. The 2026 film festival will mark a special occasion, with a new curatorial approach introducing a portion of the lineup shaped by ABFF alumni and longtime supporters.
Over the years, the festival has showcased the work of numerous notable figures, including Denzel Washington, Angela Bassett, Spike Lee, Queen Latifah, Kerry Washington, Gabrielle Union, Kenya Barris, Mara Brock Akil, Malcolm Lee, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Ryan Coogler, Ava DuVernay, Issa Rae, Kevin Hart, Will Packer, F. Gary Gray, Ben Watkins, Steven Caple Jr., Omari Hardwick, Datari Turner, and Reinaldo Marcus Green.
While the specific keynote speakers for the 2026 festival have not been announced yet, filmmaker Gina Prince-Bythewood is noted as a keynote for the 2025 festival.
Final submissions for various categories, including narrative features, documentary features, series, voices of culture, African stories, and the AI and XR storytelling showcase, are now open and are due by February 10.
Nicole Friday, President of Nice Crowd, expressed her excitement for the 30th anniversary celebration, stating that it will be the most meaningful yet. The festival has been a beacon of diversity and talent, and the 2026 event promises to continue this tradition while honouring its rich history.
The American Black Film Festival has been a cornerstone of the film industry for three decades, and its 2026 edition in Miami promises to be an unforgettable celebration of diversity, talent, and the power of storytelling.
