For three decades, the American Black Film Festival has stood as a vital force in championing Black creatives—serving as a launchpad for emerging talent while amplifying stories that reflect the depth and diversity of the Black experience. As it celebrates its 30th anniversary, the festival returns with a “Homecoming” theme that honors its legacy while continuing to push the culture forward.
Taking place May 27–31 in Miami Beach, this milestone edition is anchored by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Regina King, who will serve as this year’s ambassador. The festival will open with Strung, a psychological thriller from Malcolm D. Lee starring Chloe Bailey, setting the tone for a lineup that blends star power with bold, globally driven storytelling.
This year’s slate spans narrative features, documentaries, and episodic series from more than 10 countries, including the U.S., Brazil, Nigeria, France, and the United Kingdom. With 16 world premieres, the programming reflects a wide range of perspectives—exploring themes of identity, love, migration, resilience, ambition, and cultural legacy.
The lineup also brings together a mix of established names and rising voices, with projects featuring talent like Jamie Foxx, Courtney B. Vance, Jesse Williams, Coco Jones, Marsai Martin, and Loretta Devine. Among the standout premieres are The Fridge, a father-daughter drama produced by Foxx; Montmartre, a cross-cultural romance led by Williams; and That’s Her, a romantic comedy featuring Jones and Devine.
With its 30th edition, ABFF continues to solidify its role as a global hub for Black storytelling—creating space for new voices, connecting creatives with industry opportunity, and celebrating the stories that shape culture across generations.
U.S. NARRATIVE FEATURE COMPETITION
Funny Feelings / U.S.A. (World Premiere)
A decade after building a comedy empire on their electric “are-they-or-aren’t-they” chemistry, two performers are forced to confront their unresolved feelings when a career-defining special unravels their act—and their truth—on a viral stage.
Director: Rhonda Baraka, Screenwriter: Je’Don Holloway-Talley, Producers: Roderick McClure, Joshua Ferrell, Morgan McClure
Cast: Vena “Pretty Vee” Excell, Tristan “Mack” Wilds, Terri J. Vaughn.
Otra / U.S.A. (World Premiere)
After a failed marriage proposal leaves him questioning love, Javier strikes a deal with his Guardian Angel to win back the woman of his dreams before his untimely death claims him for good — in this new-age, one-shot Latino musical.
Director, Screenwriter, and Producer: Armani Ortiz, Producers: Asante White, Deance Wyatt, Daniel Etzioni, Chike Ubu, Maurice Harkless
Cast: Rome Flynn, María Gabriela De Faría, Dania Ramírez, Aria Celeste Castillo, Armani Ortiz
Southside Kev / U.S.A. (World Premiere)
A misguided teenager in South Jamaica, Queens, struggles to earn respect in the streets without losing the innocence that still defines him.
Director, Screenwriter, and Producer: Jamel Furlow, Producers: Samuel C. Morrison, James Furlow, Charlene Coleman, KK Rosemond, Shatek King
Cast: Nathan Lewis, Alpachino Howard, Naomi Taylor, Brandon Chastang
The Fridge / U.S.A. (World Premiere)
A tough, queer teenager leaves Brooklyn for the first time to spend the summer with her estranged, struggling composer father in Los Angeles. The two are forced to reconnect over a used refrigerator that nearly upends their father-daughter relationship in the process.
Director, Screenwriter, and Producer: Solvan Slick Naim
Screenwriter: Lane Williamson, Producers: Datari Turner, Marsai Martin, Jamie Foxx
Cast: Marsai Martin, Courtney B. Vance
Three Colors: Pan-African / U.S.A.
A triptych of Black stories that correlate with the colors of the Pan-African flag: RED (Liberation), A collegiate football star scrambles to save his career after a devastating injury fractures his sense of self-worth; BLACK (Unity), a Ghanaian single mother loses her job and faces deportation as an unlikely group of heroes rally around her; GREEN (Prosperity), the lead of a struggling Black sitcom questions the cost of success as the network forces the show into racist caricature to boost ratings.
Directors: Elijah Davis, Allison A. Waite, Tyler Ocasio Holmes, Screenwriters: Madou Elijah Diarrassouba, Gillian Allou, JaQuay Collins, Elijah Davis, Dami Olatunji
Producers: Elijah Davis, Jack McMann, Dami Olatunji, Joseph B. Agboola, Chirsten Vanderbilt Ellis
Cast: Loretta Devine, Bashir Salahuddin, Peyton Alex Smith, Sibongile Mlambo, Stephen Bishop, Kimrie Lewis
U.S. NARRATIVE FEATURE SHOWCASE
A curated section of independent feature-length films highlighting new voices and distinctive storytelling from creators of African descent. The films selected for this section are
Montmartre / U.S.A., France
Disillusioned with her disconnected life, Jo visits the storied French district of Montmartre, where she falls for Toussaint, an eloquent tour guide, and their romance entwines Black history, art and love, reconnecting Jo to her long-lost passion for life.
Director, Screenwriter, and Producer: Leon Hendrix III
Producers: Ito Aghayere, Maurice D. Hendrix, Jill Officer
Cast: Jesse Williams, Ito Aghayere, Melanie Nicholls-King, Deborah Lukumuena, Firmine Richard.
Voices: The Musical / U.S.A. (World Premiere)
When a rising soul duo overdose just hours before their big break, a desperate bellhop and his closest friends seize the chance of a lifetime, only to discover that the price of fame is blood.
Director: Deantè Gray
Screenwriters: Sam Buckner III, Charlie T. Savage
Producers: Sam Buckner III, Ski-ter Jones, Charlie T. Savage, Brandon Lee Ward, Aya Washington
Cast: Francis C. Edemobi, Ezekiel Ajeigbe, Raèl Ba, Pedro Louis, Joe Maye
Hoop Street / U.S.A. (US Premiere)
Barred from his high school basketball team due to his temper, a hot-head, street-baller battles demons from his past and present to earn a spot on a summer league team and his last shot at a college basketball scholarship.
Director: Princeton James, Screenwriter: Teresa Dickerson
Producers: Meleisha Edwards, Teresa Dickerson, Jordan Danelz, Mark Williams
Cast: Benjamin Holmes, Jeremiah Roberts, Kenneth Farmer.
A Story About You / U.S.A.
A man is forced to come to terms with his past as he navigates his week with various love interests.
Director: Joseph E. Austin II
Screenwriter: Denise Yolén
Producers: Denise Yolén, Joseph E. Austin II, Jeremy Harris
Cast: Shannon Wallace, Pernell Walker, Denise Yolén, Shiree Nicholas Christopher, Adwoa Duncan-Williams, Monique Lindsey
Sr. / U.S.A.
After a struggling father takes his two kids on the run from social services, he tries to shield them from their harsh reality with a promise of the beach, but as his son Junior patiently waits for him to keep that promise, he’s forced to grow up early and challenge his father’s demons to get his family to their happy place.
Director: Toroes Thomas Jr.
Screenwriters: Toroes Thomas Jr., Blayre Pichon
Producers: Blayre Pichon, Sean Banks
Cast: Micaiah Jones, Donnell Jones, Jade Telesford, Melan Perez
93 ‘til / U.S.A. (World Premiere)
Two struggling Philadelphia artists meet at a job fair and spend one perfect day falling in love—no phones, no filters, just presence—before a toxic ex and a violent robbery tear them apart, forcing them to search the city to find each other again and choose love despite uncertainty.
Director and Screenwriter: Alterik Miller
Producers: Alterik Miller, Richard Lee Noel, Petey McGee, Alicia Turner, LaRoyce Hawkins, Sophia Lucia Parola
Cast: Petey McGee, Sophia Lucia Parola, LaRoyce Hawkins, Keith Arthur Bolden, Kris D. Lofton, Taryn Delanie Smith, Jason C. Louder
Waking Up Horny / U.S.A. (World Premiere)
When a successful but emotionally guarded psychologist spirals through a chaotic string of sexual misadventures, she must confront the battle between desire, self-worth, and the version of love she keeps avoiding.
Director and Screenwriter: Michael Arcell
Producers: Barry Brewer, Wendy Wang, Annalea Fiachi
Cast: Brandi Denise, Angell Conwell, Brandon Joseph
Homage / U.S.A. (World Premiere)
A reformed street figure risks everything when he tries to help an old friend fresh out of prison, only to discover that some debts don’t disappear; they come back to collect.
Director and Producer: Miles Mussenden
Screenwriter and Producer: Dianne Diaz
Producers: Samantha Van Sickle, Kristen Nothstein
Cast: Miles Mussenden, Majah Hype, Nadirah Shakir-Ramseur, Kameron Washington, Noah Jay Wood. World Premiere.
THAT’S HER / U.S.A. (World Premiere)
When a corporate-climbing playboy falls in love with a girl-next-door office temp and with a high-powered executive, he must choose between love and leveling up.
Director: Nina Lee
Screenwriters: Dewayne Colley, Tiffany Yancey, Nina Lee
Producers: Stephen “Dr.” Love, Dewayne Colley
Cast: Kountry Wayne, Coco Jones, Emmy Raver-Lampman, Loretta Devine, Charity Jordan, J. Alphonse Nicholson, Tabitha Brown
Bust! / U.S.A.
A former professional basketball player attempts a comeback through a fledgling sportswear company.
Director, Screenwriter, and Producer: Richie Kamtchoum
Producers: Greg Oden, Sherwyn Santos, Danny April, Cindy Kamtchoum, Monique Henry
Cast: Richie Kamtchoum, Casey Lawrence, Liam Harrington, Brittany Erica, DeJeanette Horne, Karen Smith, Richard Garifo, Bernard Clark.
ATHENA A.I. / U.S.A. (World Premiere)
In 2035, in a seemingly perfected America, an exclusive dinner party turns deadly when its co-host, an unreleased A.I. named ATHENA, hijacks the night and forces guests into a series of games they must survive rather than play.
Director and Producer: Corey Grant
Screenwriters: Lanett Tachel, Brian Kelsey, Craig Motlong
Producers: Lanett Tachel, Phaedra Harris, Chris Beal, Carol Shine, Brian Pratt
Cast: Lanett Tachel, Redaric Williams, Marissa Shankar, Andrew J. Katers, Anjianna Grasso, Marvin Ryan, Stephen P. Nemphos
INTERNATIONAL NARRATIVE FEATURE COMPETITION
A juried section of feature-length films from international filmmakers, highlighting bold storytelling and diverse global perspectives. Selected works are eligible for the Grand Jury Prize for Best International Narrative Feature. The films selected for this section are:
Garden of Silences / Brazil, Italy (World Premiere)
After years in Italy, Tuã, a Black oncologist, returns to Brazil to confront his family’s past marked by the dictatorship, navigating loss, silence, and memory in a journey of reconciliation and belonging.
Director, Screenwriter, and Producer: Henrique Dantas
Producers: Eliane Ferreira, Alessandro Borrelli
Cast: Fabrício Boliveira, Helena Ignez, Luiz Pepeu, Federica De Benedittis
Lights Out / Cameroon (U.S. Premiere)
Every memory is a clue or a curse. Cast: Wale Ojo, Shaffy Bello, Ngongang Elizabeth Wandji, Syndy Emade, Libota MacDonald
Director: Enah Johnscott
Screenwriter: Nfua Buh Melvin
Producers: Carista Asonganyi, Nfua Buh Melvin
Seahorse / Canada
A sous chef’s pursuit of stability is tested by the return of her estranged father, now living on the streets of Toronto.
Director and Screenwriter: Aisha Evelyna
Producer: Natalie Remplakowski
Cast: Aisha Evelyna, Joseph Marcell, Ruth Goodwin, Brett Donahue, Alden Adair.
Small Gods / U.K. (U.S. Premiere)
A landless single mother meets a charismatic street performer, discovering newfound hope for the future of her young son.
Director: Asher Rosen
Screenwriters: Asher Rosen, Luke Reilly, Cimpaye Florence Mariserena, Bizimana Hussain
Producers: Andreas Raold, Jack Pollington, Shema Faustin Cast: Cimpaye Florence Mariserena, Bizimana Hussain, Turinayo Jotham
DOCUMENTARY FEATURE COMPETITION (U.S. & INTERNATIONAL)
A juried section of feature-length documentaries showcasing powerful nonfiction storytelling centered on the global Black experience, encompassing real-world stories, cultural history, and contemporary issues. Selected works are eligible for the Grand Jury Prize for Best Documentary Feature. The films selected for this section are:
Black Is Beautiful: The Kwame Brathwaite Story / U.S.A., U.K.
The story of Kwame Brathwaite, the virtually unknown Harlem photographer and activist who helped popularize the iconic “Black is Beautiful” movement across a 60-year, 500,000-photo career devoted to celebrating African American joy and beauty.
Director: Yemi Bamiro
Producers: Joanna Boateng, Lizzie Gillett, Ian Bonhôte, Andrew Calof
Cast: Kwame Brathwaite, Alicia Keys, Swizz Beatz.
The Foolishness of God: A Forgiveness Journey with Desmond Tutu / U.S.A. (World Premiere)
An African American activist travels across continents with Desmond Tutu to confront the limits of justice and discovers that the path to political and personal change begins with an unexpected plea: forgive.
Director and Producer: Karen Hayes
Producer: Rana Kazkaz
Cast: Desmond Tutu
Cycles of Resilience: A Journey Through Austin’s Black History / U.S.A. (World Premiere)
On Black History Bike Ride’s 6th annual Juneteenth Ride, led by Talib Abdullahi, hundreds of cyclists bike together to learn under-told stories of Black history in Austin, Texas.
Director: Ya’Ke Smith
Producers: Lauren Vunderink, Talib Abdullahi
Cast: Talib Abdullahi
ALTADENA – Rising From The Ashes / U.S.A. (Director and Producer: Ethan Lader, Producers: Zaire Calvin, Samantha Stokes) — After the Eaton Fire reduces Altadena, CA, a historically Black town and California’s first Black middle-class community, to ash, three childhood friends confront loss, legacy, and lead their community’s fight to rebuild. Cast: Zaire Calvin, Ben Crump, Darren Lloyd, Elic Mahone. World Premiere.
DOCUMENTARY FEATURE SHOWCASE
A curated section of feature-length documentaries showcasing bold, distinctive nonfiction storytelling from both new and established filmmakers of African descent. The films selected for this section are:
Beyond / U.S.A.
At Sing Sing prison, a group of incarcerated men organize and prepare for a TED-style event, featuring personal narratives and ideas for changing the prison system.
Directors and Producers: Asia Johnson, Michael Kleiman
Cast: Robert Clegg, Paul Cortez, Paul Davidson.
Trespass / U.S.A.
Blending his poetic narration with arresting cinematography and street photography, Kim Watson’s documentary TRESPASS captures five years inside Los Angeles’ unhoused communities—revealing the resilience, dignity, and humanity of those forced to the margins of the American Dream.
Director and Producer: Kim Watson
Producers: Salim Akil, Natalie Hill, Tasha Smith
Beyond the Rim – The Heart of D’Tigress / Nigeria, U.S.A. (World Premiere)
Against impossible odds, D’Tigress transforms from underdogs to unstoppable, becoming the first African team to reach an Olympic quarterfinal.
Director: Adesua Okosun
Producers: Deniese Davis, Vinay Vaswani, Enyi Omeruah
Cast: Rena Wakama
SERIES COMPETITION
A juried section of episodic storytelling from emerging and established creators working across television and digital platforms, highlighting bold, distinctive voices. Selected works are eligible for the Grand Jury Prize for Best Episodic Series. The series selected for this section are:
Law’s World: Lipstick Bandit / U.S.A.
A sassy pansexual sex blogger prepares for a high-profile house tour, but his plans are derailed by his narcissistic bestie, determined to retrieve something she claims is irreplaceable.
Creator, Writer, and Director: Law Artis, Producers: Danae Grandison, Law Artis
Cast: Law Scott, Nikki.
Love Song / U.S.A. (World Premiere)
A married music producer’s morning commute takes a turn when he runs into a former flame, forcing him to choose between family, creative passion, and a love he left behind.
Creator, Writer, and Director: Nofisat “Love Nafi” Almaroof, Producers: Mohamed Williams, Okema T. Moore, Agnes Erskine, Nadia Sasso
Cast: Mohamed Williams, Okema T. Moore, Simone Posey, Adrian Arthur, Montana Monroe Jenkins, Ava Barnett, Taylen Washington
The Comic Shop / U.S.A.
Under the regular threat of eviction and the looming competition of a big box store, a quirky group of friends strive to keep their comic store afloat by any ridiculous means necessary.
Creator and Writer: Cheyenne Ewulu
Director: Jalen Blot
Producers: Simone Kirlew, Victor Lord, Cheyenne Ewulu Cast: Cheyenne Ewulu, Zeno Robinson, Grayson Niles, Shanae Cole, Hayley Law
Ti Blan / U.S.A.
After being sent to live with his estranged grandmother, a troubled Haitian-American teen must navigate family expectations, unfamiliar culture, and the burden of a struggling family restaurant, while a looming debt threatens the new path he’s fighting to forge.
Creator and Writer: Noah Petion Laforest, Director: Dwight Ellis Jr.
Producers: Sydney Crawford, Noah Petion Laforest
Cast: Matthew Fabien, Marie Henry, Chantal Jean-Pierre, Pascal Michel, Portland Thomas, Wayne Vielot, Mark Logan, Clifford Michel, Corey Hibbert.
AWOL / U.S.A.
Set to the backdrop of a failing Special-Education high school, new recruit, Christian, is faced with fixing much more than the students if he wishes to be successful.
Creator, Writer, and Director: Christian Henley
Producers: Christian Henley, Josh Patterson, Joachim Gautier
Cast: Christian Henley, KaSandre L. Kirby, Maya Shimoji, Eve Danzeisen, Matthew Von Der Ahe.
Takes A Village / U.S.A.
Takes A Village follows 17-year-old Zeke, a top student and Division I prospect, whose path out of his Mississippi Gulf Coast town is threatened by an unexpected pregnancy, family decline, and the pull of the streets—forcing him to choose between survival and escape.
Creator, Writer, and Director: LaDarius “Dee” Torrey
Producers: Letia Solomon, Khari Johnson, LaDarius Torrey
Cast: Xavier Mills, Tanyell Quian, Champ Johnson