NICE CROWD, the powerhouse behind events celebrating BIPOC creators, is turning up the heat in Hollywood with its latest announcement.
They have named multifaceted writer, producer, and entrepreneur, Issa Rae, as the Creative Director for the 2024 American Black Film Festival (ABFF). In her new role, Issa Rae, a vocal advocate for underrepresented talent in Hollywood, will collaborate closely with ABFF co-founders and producers, Nicole and Jeff Friday, to curate the festival’s lineup and promote its mission of showcasing Black talent and fostering emerging voices.
Make sure to mark your calendars because the 28th annual ABFF is scheduled to unfold from June 12 to 16 in the vibrant city of Miami Beach.
NICE CROWD, formerly known as ABFF Ventures, is renowned for hosting year-round events spanning comedy, health and wellness, food, and fine art. Central to their ethos is the celebration of BIPOC culture and accomplishments, and their name, NICE CROWD, underscores the importance of communal gatherings.
Nicole and Jeff Friday, the co-founders and producers of ABFF, expressed their excitement about this partnership. They stated, “Issa Rae’s influence on the entertainment industry, with her versatile roles both in front of and behind the camera and her unyielding commitment to equitable representation for Black creatives, is remarkable. We believe she is the perfect collaborator to help us carry forward the ABFF mission of spotlighting Black talent and fostering emerging voices.”
Issa Rae herself shared her enthusiasm, saying, “I am deeply honored to step into the role of Creative Director for the 2024 American Black Film Festival in partnership with NICE CROWD. ABFF played a pivotal role in showcasing my work early in my career, and it continues to be a platform that elevates Black creatives. I am thrilled to join forces with Nicole and Jeff Friday on this mission.”
Connie Kinnard, Senior Vice President of Multicultural Tourism & Development for the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB), expressed the GMCVB’s pride in supporting ABFF. She stated, “With Nicole and Jeff Friday at the helm, ABFF remains dedicated to highlighting diverse, emerging talent, which ultimately benefits the entire Greater Miami and Miami Beach community.”
ABFF has been a trailblazer in promoting diversity in Hollywood since its inception, providing a launchpad for many of today’s most successful filmmakers, actors, writers, and comedians.
Issa Rae’s connection with ABFF goes back to the festival’s early showcases of her work. In 2022, she served as the Ambassador. Her journey began with her award-winning web series, “The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl,” followed by the acclaimed HBO series “Insecure,” which garnered multiple Emmy® and Golden Globe® nominations. She has also made a significant impact on the big screen, starring in films like “BARBIE,” “INTO THE SPIDERVERSE,” and the upcoming release, “AMERICAN FICTION.”
In 2020, Issa Rae founded HOORAE, a media company committed to pushing boundaries in storytelling and representation across various mediums. HOORAE encompasses HOORAE Media, Raedio (a music label and audio company), and ColorCreative (its management division). Through HOORAE’s partnership with WarnerMedia, Issa expanded her portfolio as an Executive Producer with projects like the Emmy-nominated “A BLACK LADY SKETCH SHOW” and the critically acclaimed MAX series, “RAP SH!T.”
ABFF’s 2024 sponsors and partners include Cadillac, Comcast NBCUniversal (Presenting); City of Miami Beach, Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) (Major); American Airlines, Sony Pictures Entertainment (Official).
Don’t forget to save the dates for the American Black Film Festival, taking place from June 12 to 16 in Miami Beach, Florida. For festival updates, details on submissions, and information on securing an ABFF pass, visit www.abff.com. Stay in the loop by following @AmericanBlackFilmFestival on Instagram and Facebook for the latest updates.
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