The American Black Film Festival is heading to a new home. After celebrating its milestone 30th anniversary, ABFF has announced that its 31st edition will take place May 20 through 23, 2027 in Los Angeles, marking a significant new chapter for one of the entertainment industry’s most influential gatherings dedicated to Black storytelling and talent.
The festival will convene across several of the city’s leading cultural and entertainment venues. AMC The Grove will host screenings, SLS Beverly Hills will serve as the hub for industry programming including conversations, master classes and professional development sessions, the Original Farmers Market will feature activations and community experiences and the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures will serve as a venue for marquee events. Complimentary daytime shuttle service will connect all festival venues.
“For more than three decades, we’ve built ABFF with the belief that access can change the trajectory of a career and that creating space for new voices strengthens our entire industry,” said Jeff Friday, Founder of ABFF and CEO of NICE CROWD. “As we look to the future, our responsibility is to keep pushing forward, expanding what’s possible, and creating greater opportunities for the next generation of storytellers.”
The 31st edition introduces several new programming initiatives. ABFF First Look: The Studio Showcase will feature previews of upcoming projects from studios, independent distributors and streaming platforms through exclusive footage, special announcements and appearances by filmmakers and talent. ABFF Sports, a festival within the festival, will explore the intersection of sports, storytelling, entertainment, media, business and culture through screenings, conversations and special presentations featuring athletes, filmmakers and sports executives. Also new for 2027 is Crossroads, a noncompetitive film section welcoming filmmakers of all backgrounds whose narrative and documentary features explore the intersections of culture, identity and community.
HBO returns as a Founding Sponsor, marking the 30th year of the HBO Short Film Award Showcase, one of ABFF’s longest-running programs and a cornerstone of the festival’s commitment to discovering emerging talent. As an Academy Award-qualifying festival, the winner of the HBO Short Film Award qualifies for consideration in the Live Action Short Film category of the Academy Awards.
Submissions are now open across competitive and noncompetitive sections spanning narrative features, documentaries, episodic content and short-film storytelling. Festival passes go on sale September 1 at ABFF.com. Additional programming announcements will be released in the coming weeks.