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

THE POWER LOUNGE

Hosted by Cadillac

Check-in for Deco passholders with celebrity meet & greet with David Ramsey at 4 pm.

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

11:00 am - 6:00 pm

CADILLAC OUTDOOR SHOWROOM

Venue: Loews, Palm Court

5:45 PM

SHUTTLE BUS PICKUP TO OPENING NIGHT FILM

(Sobe & Deco passholders only)

Departs: Loews Driveway

6:30 pm

RED CARPET ARRIVALS

Venue: Olympia Theater, 174 E. Flagler St.

7:30 PM

FESTIVAL WELCOME

Venue: Olympia Theater, 174 E. Flagler St.

8:00 PM

OPENING NIGHT FILM: CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE

Courtesy of Warner Bros., Presented by the MPAA

Venue: Olympia Theater, 174 E. Flagler St.

10:30 PM

SHUTTLE BUS PICKUP TO OPENING NIGHT PARTY

(Sobe & Deco passholders only)

Departs: Olympia Theater

11:00 PM - 3:00 AM

OPENING NIGHT PARTY

Hosted by MillerCoors

Music by: D-NICE

Venue: Story, 136 Collins Ave.

9:00 am - 6:00 pm

Registration Center

Venue: Ritz Ballroom, Salon 1

9:00 am - 5:00 pm

THE POWER LOUNGE

Hosted by Cadillac

Catered breaks and celebrity meet & greet with Elise Neal at 4 pm. This event is a perk for Deco passholders.

Venue: Loews Hotel, Cowrie 2

9:00 am - NOON

MASTER CLASS: ACTORS BOOT CAMP Session 1

(Master Class ticket required)

Instructor: Bill Duke

Venue: Ritz Ballroom, Salons 2 & 3

10:00 am - 6:00 pm

CADILLAC OUTDOOR SHOWROOM

Venue: Loews, Palm Court

11:00 am - 11:00 pm

OFFICIAL FILM SCREENINGS: Narrative Feature & Documentary Sections

Venue: Regal Cinemas (Screens 17 & 18), 1120 Lincoln Rd.

12:00 NOON

A CONVERSATION WITH COMMON

Presented by American Airlines

A dynamic discussion with Oscar-winning recording artist, multi-Grammy winner and actor Common (Barbershop: The Next Cut, Selma, Smokin' Aces, American Gangster).

Moderator: Roland S. Martin, journalist & host (NewsOne Now, TVOne)

Venue: Loews, Americana 3 & 4

NOON - 5:00 pm

AMERICAN AIRLINES PASSHOLDER LOUNGE

Venue: Ritz Ballroom, Salon 1

1:30 pm

SPOTLIGHT Screening: ABFF INDEPENDENT

Courtesy of ASPiRE

Season Premiere

Join Grammy Award-winning music producer, recording artist and actor David Banner (Ride Along, Lee Daniel’s The Butler) for the season premiere of ASPiRE’s popular original series that presents the best of independent shorts and docs from emerging African American artists.

Venue: Colony Theatre

5:00 pm

SPOTLIGHT Screening: ANGIE TRIBECA

Courtesy of TBS

***Free Community Screening

Preview a brand new episode of "Angie Tribeca," alongside one of the show's star Deon Cole who will participate in a lively discussion following the screening.

Moderator: Lisa Bonner, EBONY magazine

Venue: Colony Theatre

5:00 PM

ABFF INDUSTRY CONNECT

An industry networking event where festival attendees will have a chance to hear from and connect directly with reps from SAGIndie, Motion Picture Editors Guild, the Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Film and Entertainment and other industry organizations.

Limited entry. RSVP required to attend this event via ABFF.com

RSVP HERE

Venue: Loews, New York Sands

7:45 pm

RED CARPET ARRIVALS

Venue: Colony Theatre

8:30 pm

HBO SHORT FILM COMPETITION

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

Seating for this event is limited, admission is on a first come first served basis.

Venue: Colony Theatre

10:30 pm

#SoMiami WHITE PARTY

Attire: Chic Miami White

Music by DJ Self Born

Venue: Pearl at Nikki Beach, 1 Ocean Drive

9:00 am - 6:00 pm

Registration Center

Venue: Ritz Ballroom, Salon 1

9:00 am - 5:00 pm

THE POWER LOUNGE

Hosted by Cadillac

Catered breaks and celebrity meet & greet with Omari Hardwick at 4 pm. This event is a perk for Deco passholders.

Venue: Loews Hotel, Cowrie 2

9:00 am - 11:00 am

VH1 Unscripted Storytelling Workshop

(for selected candidates only)

Venue: Loews Hotel, Moon Room

9:00 am - NOON

MASTER CLASS: ACTORS BOOT CAMP Session 2

(Master Class ticket required)

Instructor: Bill Duke

Venue: Ritz Ballroom, Salons 2 & 3

10:00 am - 6:00 pm

CADILLAC OUTDOOR SHOWROOM

Venue: Loews, Palm Court

11:00 am - 11:00 pm

OFFICIAL FILM SCREENINGS: Narrative Feature & Documentary Sections

Venue: Regal Cinemas (Screens 17 & 18)

11:00 am

WEB ORIGINALS SHOWCASE

Six highly entertaining webisodes compete for the Best Web Original Award, Presented by Comcast Xfinity. Meet the minds behind the series ideas post-screening.

Host: Dennis White, (Notorious, Parenthood)

Venue: Colony Theatre

11:30 am

ABFF FIRST LOOK: THE BIRTH OF A NATION

Presented by the MPAA, Courtesy of Fox Searchlight

An enlightening conversation with The Birth of a Nation director, writer filmmaker and actor Nate Parker (Beyond the Lights, Red Tails), along with actress Aja Naomi King (How To Get Away with Murder) and actress Gabrielle Union (Being Mary Jane, Bad Boys II). They will and will showcase behind-the-scenes clips on the making of the film, as well as discuss the film's incredible journey to date.

Moderator: Star Jones, journalist & author

Venue: Loews, Americana 3 & 4

NOON - 5:00 pm

AMERICAN AIRLINES PASSHOLDER LOUNGE

Ritz Ballroom, Salon 1

1:30 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 Carlton Hotel, Salon 2 & 3

2:00 pm

LADIES FIRST: EMERGING BLACK WOMEN IN CINEMA

***ABFF Women’s Initiative

Produced by Daughters of Eve Media

Presented by Facebook & The Root

Celebrate Black women working behind the camera as two rising filmmakers whose work includes documentaries, shorts and web series are recognized by the Kathleen Collins/ABFF Women’s Initiative. Lorna Lowe (Shelter, Romeo) and Crystle Clear Roberson (Next Doors Next, The End Again) share highlights of their work and discuss their experiences as women in the industry.

Venue: Colony Theatre

3:00 pm

THE MAKING OF ALMOST CHRISTMAS

Presented by Comcast NBCUniversal, Courtesy of Universal Pictures

An inside look at Universal's new comedy with writer/director/executive producer David E. Talbert (Baggage Claim), producer Will Packer (Ride Along, Think Like a Man series) and actress and executive producer Gabrielle Union (Being Mary Jane).

Moderator: Buzzfeed Pop Culture Editor, Sylvia Obell

Venue: Loews, Americana 3 & 4

4:00 pm

SPOTLIGHT ALUMNI SCREENING: THE LAND

written & directed by Steven Caple, Jr.

Followed by Q & A with writer, director and ABFF alum Steven Caple, Jr. The story of four teenage boys who devote their summer to escaping the streets of Cleveland, Ohio, to pursue a dream life of professional skateboarding.

Venue: Regal Cinemas

5:00 pm

TVOne 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 2 & 3

5:00 pm

SPOTLIGHT SCREENING: STEPPING UP: STORIES OF JAZZ & CAREGIVING

***Free Community Screening

STEPPING UP: Stories of Jazz and Caregiving lovingly opens a door into the lives of four musicians and their families as they struggle to balance the roles of artist, caregiver and patient. Narrated by multi-award-winning actor Wendell Pierce (The Wire, Treme, Selma) and filled with great music, dance and laughter, the film moves from Brooklyn to New Orleans to shed light on the pain, poignancy and joy that is woven into what it means to be a caregiver today.

A post-cocktail reception will follow the screening, both Courtesy of AARP.

Venue: Colony Theatre & Segafredo

7:30 pm

COMEDY WINGS PRE-SHOW MIXER

Hosted by MillerCoors

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

Venue: Loews Hotel, Americana Foyer

8:00 pm

SPOTLIGHT ALUMNI SCREENING: 86-32

directed by Randy Wilkins

86-32 is the story of 19-year-old boxing Olympian Roy Jones, Jr. and the harrowing lesson that all that glitters ain’t gold.

Followed by Q & A with director and ABFF alum Randy Wilkins.

8:30 pm

ABFF "COMEDY WINGS" COMPETITION

Presented by HBO

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

Hosted by Cedric the Entertainer

Venue: Loews Hotel, Americana 3 & 4

10:30 pm

ABFF GAME NIGHT PARTY

Presented 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!

Hosted by Vine star Skye Townsend

Venue: Ritz Ballroom, Salons 2 & 3

9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Registration Center

Venue: Ritz Ballroom, Salon 1

9:00 am - 11:00 am

VH1 Unscripted Storytelling Workshop

(for selected candidates only)

Venue: Loews Hotel, Moon Room

9:00 am - NOON

MASTER CLASS: TV PRODUCTION - THE HBO WAY

(Mater Class ticket required)

Instructor: Bruce Richmond, Executive Vice President, Production, and Gena Desclos, Senior Vice President Production, for Home Box Office

Venue: Ritz Ballroom, Salons 2 & 3

10:00 am - 5:00 pm

THE POWER LOUNGE

Hosted by Cadillac

Catered breaks and celebrity meet & greet with Tichina Arnold (4 pm – 5 pm). This event is a perk for Deco passholders.

Venue: Loews Hotel, Cowrie 2

10:00 am - 6:00 pm

CADILLAC OUTDOOR SHOWROOM

Venue: Loews, Palm Court

10:30 am

BISHOP T.D. JAKES TALKS FAITH, FILM & TV

T. D. Jakes, one of the most influential voices in America, discusses his latest faith-genre film and television entertainment ventures, his extraordinary journey and how faith remains the center of his universe.

Moderator: Shaun Robinson, journalist & author

Venue: Loews Hotel, Americana 3 & 4

11:00 am

SPOTLIGHT Screening: UNITED SHADES OF AMERICA

***Free Community Screening

Courtesy of CNN Original Series

Join comedian and political gadfly W. Kamau Bell for a sneak peek of a new season's fascinating exploration of this country, and the groups and subcultures that dwell within.

Moderator to be announced.

Venue: Colony Theatre

11:00 am - 11:00 pm

OFFICIAL FILM SCREENINGS: Narrative Feature & Documentary Sections

Venue: Regal Cinemas (Screens 17 & 18)

NOON - 5:00 pm

AMERICAN AIRLINES PASSHOLDER LOUNGE

Venue: Ritz Ballroom, Salon 1

2:00 pm

SPOTLIGHT SCREENING: BAD DAD REHAB

Winner of the 2015 TV One Screenplay Competition

World premiere, Courtesy of TVOne

After turbulence with their respective baby mamas and ex-wives forces them to take definitive action, four men attend a rehab for deadbeat dads that employs unusual methods to help them become true fathers.

Followed by a Q & A with the writer Keronda “KiKi” McKnight, director Carl Seaton and cast members including Malik Yoba, Wesley Jonathan, Robert Riley, Rick Gonzalez, Robert Ri'chard and Kandi Burruss.

Venue: Colony Theatre

2:00 pm

BLACK WOMEN IN HOLLYWOOOD: THE FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHT

***ABFF Women’s Initiative

Presented by Planned Parenthood of America

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 (Survivor's Remorse, Chiraq), Nikki Beharie (Sleepy Hollow) Emayatzy Corienaldi (Miles Ahead) and Aja Naomi King (The Birth of a Nation, How to Get Away with Murder).

Moderator: Soledad O’Brien, journalist & CEO (Starfish Media Group)

Venue: Ritz Ballroom, Salon 2 & 3

5:00 pm

NEXT...ON HBO

Join us for a conversation with stars from HBO hit series and hear how they’ve made it onto many of television's best shows and films! Plus enjoy an exclusive screening of the premiere episode of Ballers, Season 2.

Panelists include: Jacob Anderson (Game of Thrones), Nathalie Emmanuelle (Game of Thrones), Jazmyn Simon (Ballers) and John David Washington (Ballers).

Moderator: Bevy Smith

Venue: Colony Theatre

5:00 pm

THE ART OF STORYTELLING THROUGH COSTUME DESIGN

Presented by Prudential Financial

Acclaimed costume designer Ruth E. Carter (Roots, Selma, Lee Daniels’ The Butler, Sparkle, Malcolm X) discusses the collaborative process of planning the wardrobe for a film, and its powerful impact on story. Includes a preview of up-and-coming designer Laquan Smith.

Venue: Ritz Ballroom, Salons 2 & 3

5:00 pm

SPOTLIGHT ALUMNI SCREENING: RINGSIDE

Courtesy of TV One

An undefeated boxer prepares for a game-changing fight. In order to win, he must zone out of the chaos, groupies, gambling and other distractions, including his family and friends.

Followed by Q & A with director and ABFF alum Russ Parr and cast members Tyler Lepley, Sevyn Streeter and Jackie Long.

Venue: Regal Cinemas (Screen 18), 1120 Lincoln Rd.

8:00 pm

RED CARPET ARRIVALS

(Press Activity)

Venue: Loews Hotel, Rotunda

9:00 pm

THE "BEST OF THE FESTIVAL" AWARDS CEREMONY

The festival’s star-studded closing night ceremony, announcing the 2016 award-winning films and filmmakers.

Host: Chris Spencer

Venue: Loews Hotel, Americana 3 & 4

11:00 pm

HENNESSY POST-AWARDS RECEPTION

Hennessy Cognac pays tribute to the ABFF’s 20-Year Legacy.

Venue: Loews Hotel, Americana Foyer