Festival Overview
The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is an annual event dedicated to empowering Black talent and showcasing film and television content by and about people of African descent. Believing that diverse artists deserve the same opportunities as their mainstream counterparts, ABFF Founder Jeff Friday conceived the festival in 1997 to strengthen the Black entertainment community through resource sharing, education, and artistic collaboration.
As the most prestigious festival of its kind, ABFF attracts a global community of Black film and television enthusiasts. Featuring a dynamic mix of film screenings, panel discussions, master classes, and networking opportunities, the festival provides a vital platform for both emerging and established talent to connect, showcase their work, and engage in meaningful industry dialogue. Held annually in June, the five-day event in Miami Beach draws over 7,000 attendees from around the world, amplifying Black voices in Hollywood and beyond.
The festival’s origins trace back to a pivotal moment in January 1997 when Friday, motivated by the lack of diversity he noticed while attending a major industry film festival, asked himself three critical questions: Were Black and Brown filmmakers feeling unwelcome at industry festivals? Could a platform focused on content created by and about people of African descent succeed? And if such a platform were created, would people attend? Without clear answers, Friday took a leap of faith, leaving his role as president of a major advertising agency’s film division to dedicate himself to building the American Black Film Festival.
For nearly three decades, ABFF has left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry. It has served as a springboard for countless actors, writers, and directors—many of whom were previously unknown—helping to reshape the narratives of film and television. The festival’s dedication to inclusivity and fostering new talent has cemented its legacy, with its significance recognized by the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, which has preserved ABFF’s photographs and archives in its permanent collection. As ABFF approaches its 29th year, it continues to inspire change, paving the way for a more equitable entertainment landscape both in the U.S. and internationally.
The 29th annual festival will take place in Miami Beach from June 11-15. 2025.
Programming Pillars
Programs designed to encourage and assist with career development.
Exhibition platform where a cross-section of content creators can share their work.
Numerous networking opportunities to connect and share resources.
Up-and-coming creative and industry professionals meet and stay connected, building strong ties within and beyond the Hollywood community.
Acknowledging outstanding work and rewarding creatives, inspiring them to continue their road to success.
Festival Activities
ABFF features a diverse array of programming, including Hollywood premieres, independent screenings, panels, seminars, master classes, awards presentations, talent showcases, community events, networking opportunities, and live entertainment.
Star-studded screenings of highly anticipated films, offering audiences exclusive first looks at major studio releases.
Narrative features, documentaries, shorts, and series spotlighting stories by and about people of African descent, celebrating diverse voices and perspectives.
Exclusive previews of television and film content from major studios, networks, and streaming platforms, showcasing the best in Black entertainment.
Intimate celebrity interviews and discussions on the latest trends, anticipated releases, and key topics in entertainment. Moderated by top media figures, these sessions provide behind-the-scenes insights and thought-provoking perspectives, making them a festival highlight.
Professional sessions led by top media and technology companies, offering insights into the business of entertainment and industry best practices.
Classroom-style lectures led by industry professionals, covering a wide range of entertainment disciplines. The 2025 program is proudly presented in partnership with the New York Film Academy (NYFA).
The festival’s closing ceremony, celebrating excellence as winners of the film competitions and talent programs are announced.
Live presentations featuring winners of the festival’s corporate-sponsored talent discovery programs, celebrating and rewarding emerging actors and content creators.
A free, community-focused day featuring screenings and activities at the Historic Lyric Theater in Miami’s Overtown, celebrating local culture and connection.
Social activities including festival parties, influencer dinners, and receptions, designed to foster community engagement and build professional connections.
Exclusive passholder events featuring comedy, music, podcasts and other live performances.
Official Selections
A competitive section for feature-length films directed by, or written and produced by, persons of African descent. Films selected for this section compete for Jury awards for Best Narrative Feature, Best Director, and Best Actor. Additionally, if a person of African descent directs a film accepted to this section and it is their first feature film, they will be eligible to compete for the John Singleton Award for Best First Feature.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Films must be directed by, or written and produced by, persons of African descent.
- Entrants must be 18 years of age or older.
- Films must have a 72-minute minimum runtime.
- Films must be in the English language or contain English-language subtitles.
- Films must have completed post-production on or after January 1, 2024.
- Films must not have been previously exhibited on, or licensed for broadcast, cable, or online exhibition prior to the scheduled American Black Film Festival (“ABFF”), June 11-15, 2025.
- Open to U.S. and international entries.
A competitive section for non-fiction feature-length films directed by or about persons of African descent. Films selected for this section compete for the Jury Award for Best Documentary Feature.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Films must be directed by or about persons of African descent.
- Entrants must be 18 years of age or older.
- Films must have a 60-minute minimum runtime.
- Films must be in the English language or contain English-language subtitles.
- Films must have completed post-production on or after January 1, 2024.
- Films must not have been previously exhibited on, or licensed for broadcast, cable, or online exhibition prior to the scheduled American Black Film Festival (“ABFF”), June 11-15, 2025.
- Open to U.S. and international entries.
A competitive section for short-form episodic series directed by, or written and produced by, persons of African descent. Series selected to this section compete for the Jury Award for Best Series.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Episode submissions must be directed by, or written and produced by, persons of African descent.
- Entrants must be 18 years of age or older.
- Submissions must include one (1) episode, the series treatment, and/or series bible for consideration.
- Episode must have a 30-minute maximum runtime inclusive of credits.
- Episode must be in the English language or contain English-language subtitles.
- Episode must have completed principal photography on or after January 1, 2024.
- Any episode with prior distribution or a distribution commitment are not eligible for this section.
- Episode must not have been licensed for broadcast, or cable prior to the scheduled American Black Film Festival (“ABFF”), June 11-15, 2025.
- Open to U.S. and international entries
A competitive section for narrative shorts directed by, or written and produced by, persons of African descent. Now in its 29th year, the HBO® Short Film Award is regarded as one of the most prestigious short film showcases in the country. Five filmmakers are selected as finalists and receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the festival. The ABFF is an Academy Award-qualifying festival for the Short Film category.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Films must have been directed and/or written by a person of African descent.
- Entrants must be 18 years of age or older.
- 20 minutes maximum runtime inclusive of credits.
- Showcase is open to U.S. and international entries.
- Films must be in the English language or contain English-language subtitles.
- Films must have completed post-production on or after January 1, 2024.
- Films must be submitted by its director, or an individual or company authorized by the director and writer (if applicable) to submit the film.
- Films must not have been previously submitted to the HBO Short Film Award Showcase under its current or any former title, or in any form that is, substantially similar to or derivative of the current film.
- Films must not have any current or any previous broadcast, cable, or online exhibition.
- Films must not have been previously exhibited on, or licensed for broadcast, cable, or online exhibition prior to the scheduled American Black Film Festival (“ABFF”), June 11-15, 2025
- Employees of NICE CROWD, HBO, and any other WarnerMedia Direct, LLC affiliate (including permanent and temporary employees), their immediate family members and/or those living in the same household are not eligible to participate.
- Filmmakers working on any upcoming or existing projects within WarnerMedia Direct, LLC and/or any affiliate entity are not eligible.
- Filmmakers selected as a finalist in a previous ABFF HBO Short Film competition are not eligible.
- Each entry must include a signed competition release form with acknowledgement of the WarnerMedia Privacy Notice and Policy no later than the deadline of February 28, 2025, at 11:59 PM PST.
A non-competitive showcase of short films directed by persons of African descent. This section is by invitation only, with films submitted to but not accepted as finalists for the HBO Short Film Award automatically considered for inclusion.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Films must be directed by a person of African descent.
- Entrants must be 18 years of age or older.
- Films must have a 30-minute maximum runtime inclusive of credits.
- Films must be in the English language or contain English-language subtitles.
- Films must have completed post-production on or after January 1, 2024.
- Films must not have been previously exhibited on, or licensed for broadcast, cable, or online exhibition prior to the scheduled American Black Film Festival (“ABFF”), June 11-15, 2025.
- Open to U.S. and international entries.
Talent Discovery Platforms
Sponsored and prize oriented annual platforms designed to discover and reward emerging creative talent and introduce them to the industry at large. This year’s program includes:
Now in its second year, the Black & Unlimited Fatherhood Director’s Showcase is a national competition celebrating independent filmmaking and diverse stories about Black men as fathers. In partnership with Walmart, this competition champions storytelling that uplifts and honors the role of Black fatherhood.
Three directors will be selected from the submissions to receive industry mentorship, a $10,000 cash award, and the opportunity to attend and screen their films at the 2025 ABFF in Miami, June 11-15. Their work will also be showcased on ABFF PLAY, the festival’s global online platform, and Walmart’s Black & Unlimited YouTube page.
As part of Walmart’s Black & Unlimited Fatherhood Project, a comprehensive marketing and media initiative, the showcase highlights and celebrates the vital presence of Black fathers in their families and communities.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Films must be submitted by the director or an authorized representative.
- Open to U.S. citizens residing in the United States, 21 years or older.
- Films must be narrative stories centered on the theme of Black fatherhood.
- Films must have a running time no longer than 30 minutes, including credits.
- Films must be original and owned by the entrant.
- Films must have completed post-production on or after January 1, 2024.
- Films must be in English or have English-language subtitles.
- Films must not have exclusive distribution deals or licenses for broadcast, cable, streaming, or online exhibition.
- Filmmakers may submit up to two entries.
- Each entry must include a signed release form and be received by February 14, 2025, at 11:59 PM PST.
- Employees of NICE CROWD or Walmart, their immediate family members, and those living in the same household are not eligible.