LOS ANGELES, CA, (March 23, 2022) – ABFF Ventures LLC, producer of the American Black Film Festival (ABFF), today announced that its custom-built online platform, ABFF PLAY, has broadened the company’s global footprint offering studios the opportunity to reach beyond the annual film festival to showcase content targeted to Black audiences.
The expanded ABFF PLAY serves as a virtual venue for studios, networks and streamers to promote content and engage with a curated audience of consumers passionate about Black film and television. Studio partners can maintain an exclusive channel 365 days a year on ABFF PLAY to feature trailers, host screenings and present live or video-on-demand talent interviews. The available content will be amplified across the ABFF brand’s network and social media platforms.
“For 26 years, ABFF has showcased and celebrated Black culture, creativity and content,” said Nicole Friday, president and general manager, ABFF Ventures LLC. “The expansion of the ABFF PLAY platform is a natural extension of the brand providing an ‘always on’ opportunity for studio and network partners to reach and engage with our festival audience outside of the five-day event in Miami.”
ABFF PLAY launched during the coronavirus pandemic providing a virtual hosting venue for the 2020 and 2021 American Black Film Festivals. The festivals’ lineup of independent films, talks, spotlight screenings, and networking events were available on the platform attracting an audience of more than 75,000 across 95 countries.
Partners to date include WarnerMedia, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Disney, Comcast NBCUniversal, Fox, National Geographic, Starz, BBC America, Epix and ALLBLK. Powered by Endeavor Streaming, ABFF PLAY is accessible via the web, mobile apps (IOS and Android) and soon on a variety of streaming devices including Apple TV, Fire TV and Roku.
For more information about ABFF PLAY visit www.abffplay.com. Follow @ABFFPLAY on social media, and for the American Black Film Festival visit www.abff.com. Follow @ABFF on Twitter and @AmericanBlackFilmFestival on Instagram and Facebook.
ABOUT ABFF Ventures LLC
ABFF Ventures LLC (ABFFV) is an American entertainment company specializing in the production of events that celebrate Black culture and achievement. Its mission is to curate live experiences and online platforms that empower Black talent and showcase new voices in the arts and entertainment industries. The company, headquartered in Los Angeles, is led by husband-and-wife team Jeff and Nicole Friday.
The company’s tent-pole property, the American Black Film Festival (ABFF), was founded in 1997 and is today widely considered the preeminent event of its kind in the world. In 2019, the company expanded its international footprint with the highly successful launch of ABFF London, a content partnership with Sony Pictures Entertainment as part of its 365 Partnership Initiative. In addition, the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) in Washington, D.C., acquired photographs and other archival materials from ABFF for its permanent collection.In 2020, the company launched ABFF PLAY, a customized online platform providing a virtual complement to its live events. In 2021 the ABFF Comedy Festival was introduced, dedicated to showcasing stand-up comedians of color.
With the support of its global community of fans and vast network of corporate partners, ABFF Ventures continues to lead the way promoting diversity and inclusion, helping to open doors to opportunities in Hollywood.
Media Contact:
Chelsye J. Burrows
Jeff Friday Media (JFM) and ABFF Ventures LLC
chelsye@abffventures.com
