
About the Festival
Now celebrating its 29th year, the American Black Film Festival remains the preeminent event of its kind, empowering Black artists and spotlighting a diverse array of entertainment content created by and for individuals of African descent. An event like no other, the festival brings together enthusiasts of Black culture alongside industry executives and content creators from across the globe for five days filled with screenings, engaging talk events, exclusive parties, and invaluable networking opportunities.
This year’s festival will take place from June 11-15 in Miami Beach, followed by the online segment, June 16-24 on ABFF PLAY.

Event Lineup
HBO® Short Film Award Showcase
Wednesday, June 11 | 7:30 pm
Best of the ABFF Awards
Saturday, June 14 | 10:00 am
Remembering Love Jones
Saturday, June 14 | 8:30 pm
Faith, Culture, and Streaming: Why Faith-Inspired Stories Are Winning on Streaming
Thursday, June 12 | 10:30 am
After the Game: A Conversation with Chris Paul
Thursday, June 12 | 11:00 am
One of Them Days and the Undeniable Power of Black Audiences in Theaters
Thursday, June 12 | 1:45 pm
Sisterhood & Savings: A Conversation with Gabrielle Union
Thursday, June 12 | 2:00 pm
Bravo's "Kings Court": Grown Man Business - Love, Life, and the Spotlight
Thursday, June 12 | 4:30 pm
Beyond the Payout: The Hidden Value of Protection for Entertainment Professionals
Thursday, June 12 | 5:00 pm
Propelling Purpose with Dondré Whitfield
Thursday, June 12 | 8:30 pm
The Future of Storytelling: AI and Immersive Technologies in Filmmaking
Friday, June 13 | 10:30 am
The Remix: Ashanti's New Chapter of Love, Life & Legacy in Peacock's "Nelly & Ashanti: We Belong Together"
Friday, June 13 | 11:30 am
Creating with Care: A Conversation on Mental Wellness & the Creative Journey
Friday, June 13 | 1:45 pm
The Longevity Playbook: A Conversation with Blair Underwood
Friday, June 13 | 2:15 pm
Reel & Radiant: A mixer for Black LGBTQ+ creatives and their allies
Friday, June 13 | 4:45 pm
Crafting FOREVER: A Conversation on Love, Life, and Legacy with Mara Brock Akil
Friday, June 13 | 5:00 pm
"Scene Stealers" From Guest Star to Co-Star - An Actor's Journey
Friday, June 13 | 7:45 pm
Reel Healing: Using Film to Normalize Mental Wellness in Black Communities
Saturday, June 14 | 10:30 am
Black Opulence: The Intersection of Culture, Class & Capital in Peacock's "Bel-Air"
Saturday, June 14 | 1:00 pm
BOB Talks: Showcasing Black-Owned Brands
Saturday, June 14 | 2:15 pm
Empowering Diversity Through Storytelling Networking Happy Hour
Saturday, June 14 | 5:15 pm
Clicks to Careers: Navigating Social Media Success
Saturday, June 14 | 7:30 pm
Producing Stories for Global Audiences on a Restricted Budget with Luisa Ibañez
Wednesday, June 11 | 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
ACT IT OUT: Scene Exploration with Patrice DeGraff Arenas
Thursday, June 12 | 9:30 am - 11:30 am
Making Choices as a Director with Miguel Parga
Friday, June 13 | 9:30 am - 11:30 am
The Art of Emotional Writing: Engaging Audiences Scene by Scene with Randall Dottin
Saturday, June 14 | 9:30 am - 11:30 am
Opening Night Party
Wednesday, June 11 | 10:30 pm
Because They're Funny Comedy Night hosted by DC Young Fly
Thursday, June 12 | 9:45 pm
The Legendary White Party
Saturday, June 14 | 10:30 pm - 3:00 am
Black & Unlimited Fatherhood Project Director's Showcase
Thursday, June 12 | 4:00 pm
STARZ: Come Play in Our World
Friday, June 13 | 1:30 pm
Seen & Heard (Talkback to Follow)
Friday, June 13 | 4:30 pm
Old Gray Mare (Talkback to Follow)
Friday, June 13 | 7:30 pm
Edge of Daybreak
Saturday, June 14 | 1:30 pm
Come Together (Talkback to Follow)
Saturday, June 14 | 3:45 pm
40 Acres (Talkback to Follow)
Saturday, June 14 | 6:30 pm
City of Miami Community Day
Sunday, June 15 | 1:45 pm
HBO® Short Film Award Showcase
HBO® Short Film Award Showcase
Wednesday, June 11 | 7:30 pm
Best of the ABFF Awards
Best of the ABFF Awards
Saturday, June 14 | 10:00 am
Remembering Love Jones
Remembering Love Jones
Saturday, June 14 | 8:30 pm
Faith, Culture, and Streaming: Why Faith-Inspired Stories Are Winning on Streaming
Faith, Culture, and Streaming: Why Faith-Inspired Stories Are Winning on Streaming
Thursday, June 12 | 10:30 am
After the Game: A Conversation with Chris Paul
After the Game: A Conversation with Chris Paul
Thursday, June 12 | 11:00 am
One of Them Days and the Undeniable Power of Black Audiences in Theaters
One of Them Days and the Undeniable Power of Black Audiences in Theaters
Thursday, June 12 | 1:45 pm
Sisterhood & Savings: A Conversation with Gabrielle Union
Sisterhood & Savings: A Conversation with Gabrielle Union
Thursday, June 12 | 2:00 pm
Bravo's "Kings Court": Grown Man Business - Love, Life, and the Spotlight
Bravo's "Kings Court": Grown Man Business - Love, Life, and the Spotlight
Thursday, June 12 | 4:30 pm
Beyond the Payout: The Hidden Value of Protection for Entertainment Professionals
Beyond the Payout: The Hidden Value of Protection for Entertainment Professionals
Thursday, June 12 | 5:00 pm
Propelling Purpose with Dondré Whitfield
Propelling Purpose with Dondré Whitfield
Thursday, June 12 | 8:30 pm
The Future of Storytelling: AI and Immersive Technologies in Filmmaking
The Future of Storytelling: AI and Immersive Technologies in Filmmaking
Friday, June 13 | 10:30 am
The Remix: Ashanti's New Chapter of Love, Life & Legacy in Peacock's "Nelly & Ashanti: We Belong Together"
The Remix: Ashanti's New Chapter of Love, Life & Legacy in Peacock's "Nelly & Ashanti: We Belong Together"
Friday, June 13 | 11:30 am
Creating with Care: A Conversation on Mental Wellness & the Creative Journey
Creating with Care: A Conversation on Mental Wellness & the Creative Journey
Friday, June 13 | 1:45 pm
The Longevity Playbook: A Conversation with Blair Underwood
The Longevity Playbook: A Conversation with Blair Underwood
Friday, June 13 | 2:15 pm
Reel & Radiant: A mixer for Black LGBTQ+ creatives and their allies
Reel & Radiant: A mixer for Black LGBTQ+ creatives and their allies
Friday, June 13 | 4:45 pm
Crafting FOREVER: A Conversation on Love, Life, and Legacy with Mara Brock Akil
Crafting FOREVER: A Conversation on Love, Life, and Legacy with Mara Brock Akil
Friday, June 13 | 5:00 pm
"Scene Stealers" From Guest Star to Co-Star - An Actor's Journey
"Scene Stealers" From Guest Star to Co-Star - An Actor's Journey
Friday, June 13 | 7:45 pm
Reel Healing: Using Film to Normalize Mental Wellness in Black Communities
Reel Healing: Using Film to Normalize Mental Wellness in Black Communities
Saturday, June 14 | 10:30 am
Black Opulence: The Intersection of Culture, Class & Capital in Peacock's "Bel-Air"
Black Opulence: The Intersection of Culture, Class & Capital in Peacock's "Bel-Air"
Saturday, June 14 | 1:00 pm
BOB Talks: Showcasing Black-Owned Brands
BOB Talks: Showcasing Black-Owned Brands
Saturday, June 14 | 2:15 pm
Empowering Diversity Through Storytelling Networking Happy Hour
Empowering Diversity Through Storytelling Networking Happy Hour
Saturday, June 14 | 5:15 pm
Clicks to Careers: Navigating Social Media Success
Clicks to Careers: Navigating Social Media Success
Saturday, June 14 | 7:30 pm
Producing Stories for Global Audiences on a Restricted Budget with Luisa Ibañez
Producing Stories for Global Audiences on a Restricted Budget with Luisa Ibañez
Wednesday, June 11 | 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm
ACT IT OUT: Scene Exploration with Patrice DeGraff Arenas
ACT IT OUT: Scene Exploration with Patrice DeGraff Arenas
Thursday, June 12 | 9:30 am - 11:30 am
Making Choices as a Director with Miguel Parga
Making Choices as a Director with Miguel Parga
Friday, June 13 | 9:30 am - 11:30 am
The Art of Emotional Writing: Engaging Audiences Scene by Scene with Randall Dottin
The Art of Emotional Writing: Engaging Audiences Scene by Scene with Randall Dottin
Saturday, June 14 | 9:30 am - 11:30 am
Opening Night Party
Opening Night Party
Wednesday, June 11 | 10:30 pm
Because They're Funny Comedy Night hosted by DC Young Fly
Because They're Funny Comedy Night hosted by DC Young Fly
Thursday, June 12 | 9:45 pm
The Legendary White Party
The Legendary White Party
Saturday, June 14 | 10:30 pm - 3:00 am
Black & Unlimited Fatherhood Project Director's Showcase
Black & Unlimited Fatherhood Project Director's Showcase
Thursday, June 12 | 4:00 pm
STARZ: Come Play in Our World
STARZ: Come Play in Our World
Friday, June 13 | 1:30 pm
Seen & Heard (Talkback to Follow)
Seen & Heard (Talkback to Follow)
Friday, June 13 | 4:30 pm
Old Gray Mare (Talkback to Follow)
Old Gray Mare (Talkback to Follow)
Friday, June 13 | 7:30 pm
Edge of Daybreak
Edge of Daybreak
Saturday, June 14 | 1:30 pm
Come Together (Talkback to Follow)
Come Together (Talkback to Follow)
Saturday, June 14 | 3:45 pm
40 Acres (Talkback to Follow)
40 Acres (Talkback to Follow)
Saturday, June 14 | 6:30 pm
City of Miami Community Day
City of Miami Community Day
Sunday, June 15 | 1:45 pm
Our Home in Miami Beach
Miami Beach, the vibrant host city of the American Black Film Festival for 20 years, perfectly reflects the festival’s commitment to creativity, community, and culture. With its stunning beaches, dynamic art scene, and world-class entertainment, Miami Beach offers an unparalleled backdrop for our celebration of Black excellence in film. Combining sun, style, and sophistication, this iconic city enhances the festival experience, making it the ideal setting for our world-class event.

2025 Festival Sponsors
















Beyond the Festival
The impact of the ABFF brand, extends far beyond our annual gathering in Miami Beach. Through various initiatives, partnerships, and platforms, ABFF serves as a vital hub for showcasing the extraordinary talent of Black creatives around the world and throughout the year
ABFF on American Airlines
ABFF and American Airlines have partnered to bring more diverse content to the airline's inflight entertainment system. Each year, a curated collection of short films from the festival is made available on all American flights, reaching over 200 million travelers annually.
ABFF Pop-Up Tour
We're hitting the road — bringing the best of the festival to cities across the U.S. for an unforgettable weekend of films, panels, and community!
ABFF Honors
Our awards season gala dedicated to recognizing excellence in the motion picture and television industry.
ABFF on American Airlines
ABFF on American Airlines
ABFF and American Airlines have partnered to bring more diverse content to the airline's inflight entertainment system. Each year, a curated collection of short films from the festival is made available on all American flights, reaching over 200 million travelers annually.
ABFF Pop-Up Tour
ABFF Pop-Up Tour
We're hitting the road — bringing the best of the festival to cities across the U.S. for an unforgettable weekend of films, panels, and community!
ABFF Honors
ABFF Honors
Our awards season gala dedicated to recognizing excellence in the motion picture and television industry.
NICE CROWD News
The 2025 American Black Film Festival Announces "South African Stories" - A Short Film Showcase
FILM UPDATES
April 22, 2025Because They’re Funny Festival Returns to Washington in October
BILLBOARD
March 25, 2025ABFF Honors 2025: A Beacon of Light in Uncertain Times
EBONY
February 18, 2025
The 2025 American Black Film Festival Announces "South African Stories" - A Short Film Showcase
FILM UPDATES
April 22, 2025Because They’re Funny Festival Returns to Washington in October
BILLBOARD
March 25, 2025ABFF Honors 2025: A Beacon of Light in Uncertain Times
EBONY
February 18, 2025