Film festival dedicated to showcasing black cinema, American Black Film Festival, sets dates for 2026 event and invites filmmakers to submit their work for consideration.
American Black Film Festival Celebrates 30 Years with "The Homecoming" in Miami
The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is gearing up for its 30th anniversary, a milestone that marks three decades of providing a platform for diverse talent to thrive. This year's festival, set to take place in Miami, Florida from May 27 to May 31, 2026, will be a celebration of the past, present, and future of storytelling in film.
Founded in 1997, ABFF has always been about discovery, celebration, and connection. Over the years, it has evolved into more than just a festival, becoming a cultural home for many. Jeff Friday, the festival's founder and CEO of Nice Crowd, has emphasized this, stating that ABFF has always been about amplifying new voices and nurturing talent.
This year, a new curatorial approach will be introduced, with a portion of the lineup shaped by ABFF alumni and longtime supporters. The theme for the 2026 festival is "The Homecoming," which honors alumni who have shaped the festival's legacy and inspires the next generation of storytellers.
Notable attendees whose work has been showcased at previous ABFF events include 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. Keynote conversations have been graced by luminaries such as Denzel Washington, Angela Bassett, Spike Lee, Queen Latifah, Kerry Washington, Gabrielle Union, Kenya Barris, Mara Brock Akil, Malcolm Lee, and Gina Prince-Bythewood.
While the specific keynote speakers for the 2026 edition have not been publicly announced yet, filmmaker Gina Prince-Bythewood was set as a keynote speaker for the 2025 edition. Previous years have also seen ambassadors like Idris Elba, Halle Berry, Taraji P. Henson, Lena Waithe, Anthony Mackie, Regina Hall, Tracee Ellis Ross, Morris Chestnut, Nia Long, and Larenz Tate lend their support to the festival.
The festival continues to attract a diverse range of industry partners and audiences. Final submissions for various categories, including narrative features, documentary features, series, voices of culture, African stories, and AI and XR storytelling showcase, are now open and will close on February 10.
As they celebrate the festival's 30th anniversary, the organisers are reminded of the power of community and the importance of amplifying new voices. Nicole Friday, President of Nice Crowd, stated, "We are excited to celebrate our past achievements and look forward to shaping the future of storytelling in film."
Stay tuned for more updates on the American Black Film Festival 2026 in Miami, Fla. as we approach this significant milestone in the world of film.
