The American Black Film Festival will return to Miami, Florida from May 27th to May 31st, 2026.
Next year’s film festival marks its 30th anniversary and follows the theme of “The Homecoming.” The event will introduce a new curatorial approach using some of the lineup shaped by ABFF alumni and longtime supporters.
Founded in 1997, participating graduates will help design and present programming that matches the “Homecoming” theme and showcase the impact of the festival since its inception.
“ABFF has always been about discovery, celebration and connection,” said Jeff Friday, founder of ABFF and CEO of Nice Crowd. “For 30 years, we have built a platform where diverse talent is seen, heard and supported. Homecoming is about celebrating the alumni who helped shape our legacy and create work that defines the future for the next generation of storytellers.”
Festival submissions will be open until February 10th in the following categories: Stories, documentary features, series, voice of culture, African stories, AI and XR storytelling showcase.
The most notable participants of ABFF the previous year when the work was featured were Ryan Cooler, Avadu Vervele, Issaray, Kevin Hart, Will Packer and F. Includes Gay Grey, Ben Watkins, Stephen Caple Jr., O’Mari Hardwick, Data Retuner and Reinald Marcus Green.
The festival also brought together ambassadors such as Ellis Ross, Morris Chestnut, Near Long and Larenz Tate, hosting keynote speeches with Denzel Washington, Angela Batten and Spy Laity Lee, including Idris Elba, Halle Berry, Taraj P. Henson, Lena Weihe, Anthony Mackey, Regina Hall, Tracy Ellis Ross, Morris Chestnut, Near Long and Larenz Tate. Kenya Barris, Mara Brock Aquill, Malcolm Lee, Gina Prince Beazard, and more.
“As we celebrate this incredible milestone, we recall the power of our community and the importance of continuing to amplify new voices,” said Nicole Friday, a crowd in Nice. “ABFF has become more than a festival. It’s a cultural home. We can’t wait to return to Miami to welcome our alumni, audience and industry partners for the most meaningful celebrations ever.”
