What’s the secret behind Olympian Noah Lyles’ record-breaking sprints? What revelations did WNBA Forward Brittney Griner discover on her tumultuous path to sports stardom?
These questions and more will be explored at this year’s American Black Film Festival (ABFF) as part of ABFF SPORTS, an initiative spotlighting the growing influence of sports content and applauding those athletes who’ve transitioned beyond competition into creative, entrepreneurial, and cultural leadership.
“Black voices have become central to modern sports storytelling, and ABFF is intentionally embracing that cultural force,” said Jeff Friday, founder of ABFF, the premier annual event dedicated to empowering emerging talent and showcasing film and television content by and about people of African descent.
“As athletes continue to expand their influence in content creation, entrepreneurship, and leadership, we saw a timely opportunity to evolve ABFF in this direction,” said Friday. “ABFF SPORTS reflects how deeply sports and the narratives born from it shape today’s entertainment landscape.”
One of those narratives, “The Brittney Griner Story,” a documentary about the WNBA star’s highs and lows, will be screened at this year’s festival. A towering figure and presence both on and off the court, few have risen as far and fast in the game of basketball as Brittney Griner. But as she reached new heights, a minor mistake at home threw her into a cruel imprisonment abroad – turning her from a globally respected player to the geopolitical pawn of an adversarial nation. The film focuses on her fortitude and the lessons she learned from her harrowing experience.
Another story that brings the tenacity, grit, and perseverance of sports to festival goers is “Meeting the Moment.” The documentary, narrated by basketball legend Sue Bird, follows four athletes, including Lyles, as they reveal how physical training, mental fortitude, and self-care rituals make up their winning formula.
In addition to film and series screenings accompanied by post-screening discussions with filmmakers and talent, the five-day event, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary, will feature:
• Panel Discussions – Industry dialogues featuring athletes, executives, producers, directors, and journalists addressing topics such as athlete-led media companies, emerging sports content trends, sports-business storytelling, and new models in sports programming.
• Sports Icon Talks – Intimate one-on-one conversations with influential sports figures whose impact extends into culture, leadership, entrepreneurship, and creative work.
• Interactive Brand Experiences—onsite installations and activations, including product showcases, athlete appearances, sports-tech demonstrations, and fan engagement—created in partnership with sports and lifestyle brands.
Founded in 1997, ABFF is a leading talent discovery platform, attracting a global community of creators, executives, and fans. Each year, the festival draws more than 7,000 attendees to Miami Beach for five days of screenings, panels, networking, and cultural experiences.
