Whether you are a cinema fanatic or a first-time festival attendee, the American Black Film Festival offers a rich immersive experience, from world premieres to star-studded panels and industry networking. For nearly three decades, ABFF has served as a powerful platform for Black storytellers, fusing the worlds of cinema, culture, and community with fearless creativity […]
If there’s one event that consistently fills my creative cup, it’s the American Black Film Festival. I’ve been attending for the past three years, and before summer peaks, Miami Beach transforms into a vibrant playground for Black storytellers, dreamers, and disruptors. Last year’s festival left me inspired, emotional, and ready for more — and trust
Why the American Black Film Festival should be on your radar Read More »
CITY OF MIAMI As Mayor of Miami-Dade County and on behalf of our nearly 3 million residents, I am proud to welcome you to the 29th annual American Black Film Festival. Whether you’re a filmmaker or a film enthusiast, our County invites you to celebrate the entertainment industry’s remarkable Black talent. The sharing of stories
What are you most looking forward to with this year’s American Black Film Festival? I’m most looking forward to the energy of discovery—that powerful moment when an audience connects with a new voice or an untold story for the first time. Every year, ABFF reminds the industry just how much untapped talent exists within our
A Conversation with American Black Film Festival Founder and CEO Jeff Friday Read More »
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11 10:00 am – 8:00 pm Festival Registration Center Miami Beach Convention Center (2nd Floor) 11:00 am – 6:30 pm Official Selection Screenings Miami Beach Convention Center (Screening Room 2) 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm Master Class: Producing Stories for Global Audiences on a Budget Presented by New York Film Academy NYFA Miami
ABFF Schedule 2025 Read More »
Lines That Linger Darius Lovehall: “I really dig you, Nina, and I hope we didn’t move too fast. … I’ma get myself an omelet. You want anything else?” Nina Mosley: “Don’t ask me that.” That seminal moment—equal parts playful and poignant—stirs hearts nearly three decades later. Spoken by Larenz Tate’s Darius to Nia Long’s Nina
Chocolate pomegranate: ‘Love Jones’ revisited Read More »
From the Court to the Culture This summer, NBA legend Chris Paul heads to Miami Beach for the 2025 American Black Film Festival (ABFF)—not to play against the Miami Heat but to discuss his entrance into storytelling. The 12-time All-Star and former National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) president will appear in a highly anticipated “Pro
Why Chris Paul’s most powerful assist might be a film Read More »
Miami native Dahéli Hall brings her film premiere of “SPADURA” to the American Black Film Festival, offering a courageous and brilliant portrayal of resilience sharing her journey with IVF. Hall’s heartfelt storytelling seamlessly blends humor with raw vulnerability, sharing valuable insights in a way that makes you both laugh and cry with her. Hall masterfully
Filmmaker spotlight: Dahéli Hall’s ‘SPADURA’ Read More »
The 29th annual American Black Film Festival’s (ABFF) lineup of creative dramas, documentaries, shorts, and other featured screenings June 11-15, promises to draw its usual crowd of artists and enthusiasts, although social media has an audience of its own. Since its inception in 1997, ABFF has grown to attract about 7,000 guests, while figures in
Meet the social media ambassadors repping Black excellence at ABFF 2025 Read More »
“To be absent from the body…” —2 Corinthians 5:8 Grief Made Visible Beneath the surface of “T” (2019), Keisha Rae Witherspoon’s acclaimed 13-minute short film reveals a powerful artistic intention: to carve out space for unmuted Black grief—not pathologized, but honored. It doesn’t simply tell a story; it holds up a mirror to a community
Keisha Rae Witherspoon’s ‘T’: A cinematic altar of memory Read More »