2016 Schedule

11:00 am - 8:00 pm

Registration Center

Venue: Ritz-Carlton, 1 Lincoln Rd., Grand Ballroom, Salon 1

11:00 am - 6:00 pm

AMERICAN AIRLINES PASSHOLDER LOUNGE

Venue: Ritz Ballroom, Salon 1

5:45 PM

SHUTTLE BUS PICK-UP TO OPENING NIGHT FILM

(Sobe & Deco passholders only)

Departs: Loews Hotel, 1601 Collins Ave.

7:30 PM

OPENING REMARKS

Venue: Olympia Theater, 174 E. Flagler St.

7:45 PM

OPENING NIGHT FILM

hosted by the MPAA

A studio premiere to be announced

Venue: Olympia Theater, 174 E. Flagler St.

10:00 PM

SHUTTLE BUS PICK-UP TO 20TH ANNIV. PARTY

(Sobe & Deco passholders only)

Departs: Olympia Theater

11:00 PM

ABFF 20TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY

Co-Sponsored by MillerCoors

Venue: Story, 136 Collins Ave.

9:00 am - 6:00 pm

Registration Center

Venue: Ritz Ballroom, Salon 1

9:00 am - 5:00 pm

AMERICAN AIRLINES PASSHOLDER LOUNGE

Venue: Ritz Ballroom, Salon 1

10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Session 1

MASTER CLASS: ACTORS BOOT CAMP

(Separate Ticket Required)

Instructor: Bill Duke

Venue: Loews Hotel, 1601 Collins Ave., Americana 2

10:00 am - 5:00 pm

THE POWER LOUNGE

sponsored by Cadillac

Catered breaks and celebrity meet& greet for Sponsors and Deco Passholders

Venue: Loews Hotel, Cowrie 2

11:00 am - 11:00 pm

Film Screenings: Narratives and Documentaries Official Selections

Venues: Regal Cinemas

11:00 am

ABFF TALK SERIES: A CONVERSATION WITH COMMON

presented by American Airlines

A dynamic discussion with Oscar-winning recording artist, multi-Grammy winner and actor Common.

Venue: Ritz Ballroom, Salons 2 & 3

2:00 pm

ABFF TALK SERIES: THE BLACK SUPERHERO

Comic book-based movies and television shows are creating dynamic, new franchises for veteran actors and rising stars while drawing record audiences. Our super-powered panel of creators, producers and actors discuss their latest projects and whether heroes of color are now getting a chance to save the day.

Venue: Ritz Ballroom, Salons 2 & 3

2:00 pm

SPOTLIGHT Screening: ABFF INDEPENDENT

courtesy of ASPiRE

Season Premiere

Venue: Colony Theatre

5:00 pm

SPOTLIGHT Screening

Venue: Colony Theatre

5:00 pm

ABFF TALK SERIES: SPECIAL GUEST TBA

Venue: Ritz Ballroom, Salons 2 & 3

6:30 pm

ABFF ALUMNI FILMMAKER REUNION

(Private Event for Alumni Filmmakers)

Co-sponsored by BET Networks

Cocktails courtesy of Hennessy

A private reception in honor of all of the ABFF filmmakers from the festival’s 20 years.

Venue: Loews Hotel, Americana Lawn

8:30 pm

HBO SHORT FILM COMPETITION

(Limited Seating Capacity)

Five emerging filmmakers showcase their unique stories while vying for the prestigious HBO Short Film Award in its 19th year. Hosted by Bevy Smith

Venue: Colony Theatre

11:00 pm

#SoMiami WHITE PARTY

Dress Code: Wear White

Venue: Pearl at Nikki Beach, 1 Ocean Drive

9:00 am - 6:00 pm

Registration Center

Venue: Ritz Ballroom, Salon 1

9:00 am - 11:00 am

VH1 NON-FICTION STORYTELLING WORKSHOP

(Private invited candidates only)

Venue: Loews Hotel, Moon

10:00 am - 1:00 pm

Session 2

MASTER CLASS: ACTORS BOOT CAMP

(Separate Ticket Required)

Instructor: Bill Duke

Venue: Loews Hotel, 1601 Collins Ave., Americana 2

10:00 am - 5:00 pm

AMERICAN AIRLINES PASSHOLDER LOUNGE

Ritz Ballroom, Salon 1

10:00 am - 5:00 pm

THE POWER LOUNGE

sponsored by Cadillac

Catered breaks and celebrity meet& greet for Sponsors and Deco Passholders

Venue: Loews Hotel, Cowrie 2

11:00 am - 11:00 pm

Film Screenings: Narratives and Documentary Official Selections

Venue: Regal Cinemas

11:00 am

ABFF TALK SERIES: THE BIRTH OF A NATION

presented by the MPAA

A first look at scenes from Fox Searchlight’s upcoming release “The Birth of a Nation,” and hear what Nate Parker has to say about his incredible journey to date with this film. Actress and producer Gabrielle Union who appears in The Birth of a Nation, will also join the conversation.

Venue: Ritz Ballroom, Salons 2 & 3

2:00 pm

ABFF TALK SERIES: THE MAKING OF "ALMOST CHRISTMAS"

courtesy of Universal Pictures

A behind the scenes look at David E. Talbert’s upcoming film A Meyer’s Christmas starring Kimberly Elise, Omar Epps, Danny Glover, Gabrielle Union, Nicole Ari Paker, Mo’Nique, Romany Malco and J.B. Smoove.

Venue: Ritz Ballroom, Salons 2 & 3

2:00 pm

SPOTLIGHT SCREENING

Venue: Colony Theatre

3:30 pm

INDUSTRY COACHING SEMINAR: HOW TO WORK WITH HBO

Programming and acquisitions executives talk through the ins and outs of packaging and selling a project to HBO.

Admission on a first-come, first served basis. On-site RSVP required.

Venue: W Hotel

5:00 pm

TV One PRESENTS "CELEBRITY SCENE STEALERS"

Popular actors perform scenes from TV One's annual screenplay competition, where one talented writer wins the opportunity to have their movie made by TVOne.

Venue: Ritz Ballroom, Salons 3 & 4

5:00 pm

SPOTLIGHT SCREENING

Courtesy of AARP

Venue: Colony Theatre

7:30 pm

COMEDY WINGS PRE-SHOW MIXER

sponsored by MillerCoors

Passholders are invited to stop in for a beer before the start of the show

Venue: Loews Hotel, Americana Foyer

8:30 pm

ABFF "COMEDY WINGS" COMPETITION

sponsored by HBO and MillerCoors

hosted by Cedric the Entertainer

The festival's hilarious comedy night, where four of the funniest new comics from around the country battle it out to take home the 2016 Comedy Wings "Winner" title and meetings with HBO's creative executives.

Venue: Loews Hotel, Americana 3 & 4

10:30 pm

ABFF GAME NIGHT PARTY

sponsored by McDonald's

We've brought the games to Miami! Take on fellow festivalgoers at Karaoke, poker and some of your other favorite games, in what promises to be a night of big fun!

Venue: Ritz Ballroom, Salons 3 & 4

9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Registration Center

Venue: Ritz Ballroom, Salon 1

10:00 am - 1:00 pm

MASTER CLASS: TV PRODUCTION - THE HBO WAY

(Separate Ticket Required)

Instructor: Bruce Richmond, Executive Vice President, Production, for Home Box Office

Venue: Loews Hotel, 1601 Collins Ave., Americana 2

10:00 am - 5:00 pm

AMERICAN AIRLINES PASSHOLDER LOUNGE

Venue: Ritz Ballroom, Salon 1

10:00 am - 5:00 pm

THE POWER LOUNGE

sponsored by Cadillac

Catered breaks and celebrity meet& greet for Sponsors and Deco Passholders

Venue: Loews Hotel, Cowrie 2

11:00 am - 11:00 pm

Film Screenings: Narrative and Documentary Official Selections

Venue: Regal Cinemas

11:00 am

ABFF TALK SERIES: BISHOP TD JAKES TALKS FAITH, FILM & TV

Venue: Loews Hotel, Americana 3 & 4

12:30 PM

INDUSTRY COACHING SEMINAR with AKIL PRODUCTIONS

Mara Brock-Akil and Salim Akil discuss how to navigate a career in screenwriting, and announce the ABFF Writers Lab - a new ABFF women's initiative.

Venue: Ritz Ballroom, Salons 2 & 3

1:30 PM

SPOTLIGHT SCREENING

courtesy of TV ONE

Venue: Colony Theatre

3:00 pm

ABFF TALK SERIES: BLACK WOMEN IN HOLLYWOOOD: THE FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHT

A new crop of diverse and highly talented actors are changing the complexion of our industry. Meet the players as we discuss and celebrate their work. Panelists include Teyonah Parris (Chiraq), Nicole Behari (Sleepy Hollow) Emayatzy Corienaldi (Miles Ahead) and more to be announced.

Venue: Ritz Ballroom, Salon 2 & 3

5:00 pm

"BALLERS" SEASON 2 PREMIERE

courtesy of HBO

Venue: Colony Theatre

5:00 pm

INDUSTRY CONNECT MIXER

An Industry Networking event where festival attendees will have a chance to hear from and connect directly with reps from industry organizations, guilds, film commissions and other key insiders

Venue: Loews Hotel, Rotunda

5:30 pm

ABFF TALK SERIES: THE ART OF STORYTELLING THROUGH COSTUME DESIGN

sponsored by Prudential Financial

Acclaimed costume designer Ruth Carter discusses the collaborative process of planning the wardrobe for a film, and its powerful impact on story. Includes a preview of an up-and-coming designer.

Venue: Ritz Ballroom, Salons 2 & 3

8:45 pm

THE "BEST OF THE FESTIVAL" AWARDS

Where the 2016 award-winning films and filmmakers are announced.

Venue: Loews Hotel, Americana 3 & 4

10:30 pm

HENNESSY AFTER PARTY

sponsored by Hennessy

Venue: Loews Hotel, Americana Foyer