MIAMI BEACH – The twenty ninth annual American Black Movie Competition (ABFF) right now introduced its lineup of narrative and documentary options, together with the opening evening HBO Brief Movie Award Showcase. This 12 months’s pageant will happen dwell in Miami Seashore June 11-15, adopted by a web-based phase June 16-24 on ABFF PLAY (https://abffplay.com/), and spotlights unimaginable rising creatives within the filmmaking area.
HBO Brief Movie Award Filmmakers
In previous years, the ABFF’s prestigious HBO Brief Movie Award has helped launch the careers of a number of the most profitable filmmakers, corresponding to:
- Ryan Coogler (2011 HBO Brief Movie Award Winner – Fig),
- Reinaldo Marcus Inexperienced (2013 HBO Brief Movie Award Finalist – Stone Automobiles),
- Rashaad Ernesto Inexperienced (2008 HBO Brief Movie Award Winner – Untimely),
- Frank E. Flowers (2003 HBO Brief Movie Award Winner – Swallow ),
- Steven Caple, Jr. (2013 HBO Brief Movie Award Winner – A Totally different Tree ), and extra.
The American Black Movie Competition (ABFF) continues to function an important power in Hollywood, spotlighting daring storytelling and recent inventive voices for a worldwide viewers.
The 2025 pageant will characteristic a compelling lineup of narrative and documentary movies from america, Canada, Jamaica, Ghana, South Africa, Nigeria, Zambia, United Kingdom, Democratic Republic of Congo and different nations.
Audiences can anticipate a strong number of narrative options, spanning genres like psychological thriller, romance, and comedy, and delving into culturally resonant points together with grief, friendship, fatherhood, resilience, self-identity vs. collectivism, desperation vs. sustaining inventive integrity, gang violence, and envy & greed.
Hosted by three-time Emmy-nominated actor and creator Dondré Whitfield on Saturday, June 14, winners of the movies in competitors will probably be introduced through the “Better of ABFF Awards” which can embrace the pageant’s hallmark award, the John Singleton Award for Greatest Debut Function introduced by Sony Footage Leisure.
ABFF Returning to Miami Seashore
“We’re thrilled to convey the American Black Movie Competition again to Miami Seashore in 2025, persevering with our custom of showcasing daring, authentic voices and fascinating storytelling,” stated NICE CROWD President Nicole Friday. “This 12 months’s pageant guarantees an much more expansive lineup of movies that replicate the richness of lived experiences and the creativity shaping right now’s cinematic panorama. We sit up for an inspiring week that celebrates rising expertise and connects audiences by compelling tales from around the globe.”
Partnership With Miami Seashore
“The American Black Movie Competition has been a cherished longstanding partnership for Miami Seashore — culturally, creatively, and economically,” stated Miami Seashore Mayor Steven Meiner. “ABFF reinforces Miami Seashore’s repute as a worldwide hub for movie and artwork. We welcome the main voices in Black movie and leisure to our metropolis.”
2025 ABFF Official Narrative and Documentary Options Lineup
The complete characteristic and documentary lineup in addition to the HBO Brief Movie Award Showcase for the 2025 American Black Movie Competition is listed under.
Narrative Options (U.S. & Worldwide)
A aggressive part for feature-length movies directed by, or written and produced by, individuals of African descent.
Movies chosen for this part will compete for Jury Awards, together with Greatest Narrative Function with a money prize of $2,500 sponsored by Walmart, and Greatest Director with a money prize of $2,500 sponsored by Ally Monetary.
Moreover, if an individual of African descent directs a movie accepted to this part and it’s their first characteristic movie, they are going to be eligible to compete for the John Singleton Award for Greatest Debut Function Movie, introduced by Sony Footage Leisure.
The next movies symbolize the 2025 official picks within the Narrative Options class:
Title: Can You Stand The Rain *World Premiere
Logline: A gaggle of lifelong buddies reunite after the sudden loss of life of their childhood anchor, solely to confront buried goals, hidden tensions, long-held regrets — and the reality about who they’ve change into… and who they nonetheless is likely to be.
USA | 90m
Director: Eden Marryshow
Author: Eden Marryshow
Producer: Eden Marryshow
Forged: John Bermudez, Steve H. Broadnax III, Jaben Early, Devin Haaq, Eden Marryshow, Stephen Conrad Moore, Adesola Osakalumi, Cesa Pledger, Celestine Rae, Jaime Lincoln Smith, Brandhyze Stanley, Analisa Velez, Jasmin Walker
Title: Lethal Customer *World Premiere
Logline: A lady’s quiet dwelling turns right into a lethal standoff when assassins come searching a stranger and stolen diamonds.
USA | 84m
Director: Aaron L. Williams
Author: Aaron L. Williams
Producers: Aaron L. Williams, Orlando Eric Avenue, John Sonny Louis, Allysa Carson
Forged: Danielle Laroach, Maurice P. Kerry, Rodney Perry
Trailer: https://youtu.be/0y4u-xNFPDk
Title: Freight: The 5 Incarnations of Abel Inexperienced
Logline: Freight: The 5 Incarnations of Abel Inexperienced operates on the premise that an individual’s spirit, or soul, involves the world as a result of there’s something the soul must study. If the soul doesn’t study it, then it comes again to the world time and again till it’s profitable.
USA | 90m
Director: J. Alphonse Nicholson
Author: Howard L. Craft
Producers: J. Alphonse Nicholson, Tabitha Brown, Nafeesha Nicholson, Stephen “Doc” Love, Juel Taylor, Joseph Megel
Forged: J. Alphonse Nicholson
Trailer: https://youtu.be/WFg_rzMfXRs?si=R2qBE35dwVeeJj_7
Title: HOORAH 99! *World Premiere
Logline: A down-on-his-luck father, within the midst of a foreclosures and different monetary woes, convinces his three high-school teenage sons that their solely choice is to rob a financial institution.
USA | 122m
Director: Ash Innovator
Author: Ashley Smith
Producers: Ci Esta
Forged: Travis Johnson, Jeff ‘Ja Rule’ Atkins, Kevin Barbara, Marqi Morgan, Zy’Air Carter, Thashley Ulysses, KiKi the First Woman
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/user197373387/HOORAH99trailer
Title: It Comes In Waves *World Premiere
Logline: A household of 4 escapes the genocide in Rwanda and lands in Ottawa. They rapidly study that the grass just isn’t all the time greener on the opposite facet.
Canada | 105m
Director: Fitch Jean
Author: Sammy Mohamed
Producers: Amir Zargara
Forged: Adrian Walters, Nendia Lewars
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/1064496934/4aba711359
Title: Love, Brooklyn
Logline: Three longtime Brooklynites navigate careers, love, loss, and friendship in opposition to the quickly altering panorama of their beloved metropolis.
USA | 97m
Director: Rachael Abigail Holder
Author: Paul Zimmerman
Producers: André Holland, Kate Sharp, Liza Zusman, Maurice Anderson, Patrick Wengler
Forged: André Holland, Nicole Beharie, DeWanda Sensible, Roy Wooden Jr.
Title: Love Offside
Logline: When an undervalued bodily therapist secretly takes on a well-known rugby participant’s restoration utilizing a daring mixture of Jamaican natural treatments and trendy remedy, she dangers her profession—and her coronary heart—in a struggle to show her value.
Jamaica | 105m
Director: Dale S. Lewis
Author: Daneil Campbell, Jeanette Milio
Producers: Kimala Bennett, Melissa Llewellyn, Lorisa Bates, Tashara Lee Johnson, Judi Johnson, Victoria Rowell, Mike Merrill
Forged: Judi Johnson, Mike Merrill, Victoria Rowell, Sundra Oakley, Carli McIntrye, Tosh Alexander
Title: Meta Take One
Logline: An obsessive younger director & his crew plunge right into a frantic evening lengthy odyssey of desperation to complete his movie regardless of the associated fee.
USA | 96m
Director: John Dierre, Ryan Dutter
Author: Ryan Dutter and John Dierre
Producers: Ryan Dutter, John Dierre, Cabral Clements, L.M. Davis
Forged: Ej Ezuruo, Emmanuel Peeples, Aminah Williams, James Choi, John Romanski, Laura Poindexter, Kountry Slimm, Kevin Williams
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/1064898743
Title: Outside Faculty *World Premiere
Logline: In 1994, medicine and gangs surge north up the Interstate 5 hall, destabilizing Portland, Oregon. Amidst this city chaos, 12-year-old Vin, homeless within the coronary heart of town, embarks on a week-long wilderness journey, experiencing Portland’s transformative ceremony of passage: Outside Faculty.
USA | 84m
Director: Ime N. Etuk
Author: Ime N. Etuk, Kamafi Adio Byrd
Producers: Ime N. Etuk, Ifanyi Bell, Vin Shambry
Forged: Kendrick Cross, Cycerli Ash, Jahi Diallo Winston, Eric Edelstein
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/1055111306/6c36465819
Title: The Fisherman
Logline: In Zoey Martinson’s Venice Movie Competition-winning feast of magical realist comedy— growing old Ghanaian Atta Oko units his sights on lastly having his personal boat and changing into the envy of his village, he’ll simply need assistance from a speaking lifeless fish first.
Ghana | 106m
Director: Zoey Martinson
Author: Zoey Martinson
Producers: Kofi Owusu Afriyie, Korey Jackson, Yvonne Orji
Forged: Ricky Adelayitar, Endurance Grand, William Lamptey, Kiki Romi, Adwoa Akoto, Dulo Harris
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/1001394859
Title: The Late Evening Creep *World Premiere
Logline: For a married man, date evening with out the spouse could be hell.
USA | 95m
Director: Jamal Dedeaux
Author: Jamal Dedeaux
Producers: Rebecca T. Haze, Kris Simms
Forged: Jake Choi, Tosin Morohunfola, Karen Obilom, Siddiq Sanderson, Ali Gallo, Lori Laing, Jason Mitchell, Leslie Jones
Title: The Reject
Logline: Towards all odds, a younger man labeled as “mentally handicapped” fights in opposition to systemic limitations, private demons, and society’s expectations to rise from the tasks and change into an influential legal professional and politician who challenges the very system designed to carry him again.
USA | 93m
Director: Blademil Grullon
Author: Yonel Aris, Percy Romeo Miller, Logan Burdick, Kionne Mcghee
Producers: Marco Molinet, Percy Romeo Miller, Brandon Dumlao, Kionne Mcghee
Forged: Percy Romeo Miller, Kamal Ani-Bello, Tsachai “Sky” Aris
Trailer: https://youtu.be/Q5DA8M0xguo
Title: The ReWrite. *World Premiere
Logline: A struggling screenwriter revisits the characters in his script in actual life to do a rewrite of his newest draft with the intention to save his dying profession.
USA | 94m
Director: Terry Dawson
Author: Terry Dawson
Producers: Julie Bersani, Invoice Benenson, Laurie Benenson, Terry Dawson
Forged: Stephen Barrington, Freddy D. Ramsey Jr., Elijah R. Reed, Anthony Riggins Jr., Taylor Leigh Edwards, Holly Hyman, Don Wallace, Felice Heather Monteith, Jhey Castles, Jordan Murphy
Title: The Secret Between Us *US Premiere
Logline: Some secrets and techniques break us; others can bind us.
USA | 114m
Director: Tamera Hill
Author: Tamera Hill
Producers: Tamera Hill, Michael Jai White, Reggie Currelley, Suzanne Lyons
Forged: Michael Jai White, Lisa Arrindell, Victoria Rowell, Tre Ryan
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/1080045987
Title: TREASURE HUNT *World Premiere
Logline: A desperately poor ex-con man returns misplaced costly jewelry solely to find {that a} gang of criminals are bent on utilizing him to get the jewelry for themselves.
South Africa | 97m
Director: Chim Onyebilanma
Author: Chim Onyebilanma
Producers: Chim Onyebilanma, Happiness Mpase
Forged: Moopi Mothibeli, Melissa Mkhize, Thabiso Mokhethi, Patrick Kenny, Crystal Tryon-Smith
Trailer: https://youtu.be/c2mNIRJvhoo
Narrative Options (Out of Competitors)
Title: Combat Like A Lady
Logline: A younger Congolese lady compelled to work in an unlawful mineral mine, escapes her captors and finds a brand new life for herself after becoming a member of a famend all-women boxing membership within the border metropolis of Goma. Primarily based on a True Story.
Democratic Republic of Congo | 118m
Director: Matthew Leutwyler
Author: Matthew Leutwyler
Producers: Anton Laines, Yvette Gayle, Harmless Munyeshuri, Serge Ibaka
Forged: Ama Qamata, Hakeem Kae Kazim, Clarck Ntambwe, Malaika Uwamahoro, Arthur Nkusi, Bahali Ruth, Kennedy Mazimpaka
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/869303140?share=copy
Title: Hassle Man *World Premiere
Logline: An ex-cop turned fixer is employed to seek out his famous person and rumored ex-girlfriend. With a mix of brains, bullets and Kung Fu, Jaxen should struggle by a maze of road thugs, slicksters and Chinese language mobsters earlier than his or the diva’s time runs out.
USA | 92m
Director: Michael Jai White
Author: Michael Stradford
Producers: Craig Baumgarten, Michael Jai White, Ron Robinson
Forged: Michael Jai White, Methodology Man, Mike Epps, Gillian White, Orlando Jones, Lala Anthony
Documentary Options
A aggressive part for non-fiction feature-length movies directed by or about individuals of African descent. Movies chosen for this part compete for the Jury Award for Greatest Documentary Function with a money prize of $2,500. The next movies symbolize the 2025 official picks within the Documentary Options class:
Title: Black Ladies and Intercourse *World Premiere
Logline: Black Ladies and Intercourse explores the stress between black girls and the politics of intercourse in Africa.
South Africa, Nigeria, Zambia | 90m
Director: Godisamang Khunou
Author: Godisamang Khunou
Producers: Godisamang Khunou, Calvin Sefala, Adelaide Joshua-Hill, Yolanda Ncokotwana, Refiloe Hlabioa, Iris Kaingu, Nthabeleng Phora, Kgomotso Zebediela
Forged: Iris Kaingu, Glow Makatsi, Olawumi Oloye
Trailer: https://youtu.be/ltdv7BbZiao
Title: Carnival: They Can’t Steal Our Pleasure *US Premiere
Logline: Caribbean Carnival isn’t just any occasion. It’s liberation, a voice of freedom, individuals in motion, a cultural motion that was born out of a spot of righteous defiance to change into a paradise of colourful road parade.
Canada | 75m
Director: Ian Mark Kimanje
Author: Allen Sales space and Ian Mark Kimanje
Producers: Ian Mark Kimanje
Forged: Candace Dixon, Fiona Compton, and Ian Mark Kimanje
Trailer: https://youtu.be/o_RPfSkrxsM
Title: Fatherless No Extra
Logline: Fatherless No Extra chronicles the outstanding journey of an Orlando-based pastor and former Tremendous Bowl Champion who was pushed by a divine calling to maneuver into an RV at a spot typically deemed hell on earth, Rikers Island.
USA | 86m
Director: Kayla Johnson, Co-director Ashly Robinson
Producers: Cole Anthony, Cece Winans, Ashly Robinson, Kayla Johnson, Michelle Duffie
Forged: Tim Johnson, Malik Bacchus, Jayden Mayo, and Tristian Williams
Title: Good Shot *World Premiere
Logline: Within the coronary heart of Watts, a beloved neighborhood legend named Maxwell seeks redemption as a father after a lifetime of utilizing basketball to masks his ache.
USA | 81m
Director: Joris Debeij
Author: Walter Thompson-Hernández
Producers: Jean Mougin, Joris Debeij, Aron Phillips, Stephen Curry, Erick Peyton, Steve Wooden
Forged: Maxwell Henderson
Title: Love, Pleasure & Energy: Instruments For Liberation *World Premiere
Logline: Love, Pleasure & Energy: Instruments for Liberation is a characteristic size documentary in regards to the co-founders of the Black Voters Matter Fund, Cliff Albright and LaTosha Brown, the work they do to empower African American communities particularly within the rural south, and the essential position they performed in flipping Georgia from purple to blue within the 2020 Presidential election and the 2021 Georgia Senate Runoffs and the quite a few threats they confronted to do the work.
USA | 96m
Director: Daresha Kyi
Producers: Trevite Willis, Daresha Kyi
Forged: LaTosha Brown, Cliff Albright, April England Albright
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/929955295?from=outro-local
Title: Moses
Logline: In San Francisco, a person enduring homelessness for 20 years connects with passersby to be seen among the many invisible—a talent he discovered from a promising music profession lower brief within the ’70s, and one that may in the end rework his life.
USA/SPAIN | 127m
Director: Fran Guijarro
Author: Fran Guijarro
Producers: Fran Guijarro, Diya Guha & Juli López
Forged: Moses
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/freerangepuppies/mosestrailer
Title: SPADURA *World Premiere
Logline: Framed as an off-kilter child bathe, SPADURA unapologetically takes on the emotional and monetary price of IVF, grief, growing old, in addition to the distinctive fertility obstacles confronted by Black girls in America — all by a humorous and gripping solo present.
USA | 60m
Director: Allison Caviness
Author: Dahéli Corridor
Producers: Elizabeth Yng-Wong
Forged: Dahéli Corridor
Title: Wait Till Tomorrow *World Premiere
Logline: An intimate, pressing portrait of race, wealth, and alternative in America, instructed by the eyes of Black households striving for extra in cities throughout the nation.
USA | 70m
Director: Osato Dixon
Author: Osato Dixon, Kara Murphy
Producers: Kelley Robins Hicks, Jamund Washington
Forged: Shelley Stewart III, Sara Prince, Tiffany Burns, JP Julien, Avis E., Crystal F., Antonio G., Kandice J., Armond J.
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/1083669581?share=copy
Sequence
A aggressive part for short-form episodic sequence directed by, or written and produced by, individuals of African descent. Sequence chosen for this part compete for the Jury Award for Greatest Sequence with a money prize of $2,500 sponsored by Comcast NBCUniversal.
The next are the 2025 official picks within the Sequence class:
Title: Ainsi va Manu – Hogtown Episode 203 *US Premiere
Logline: Compelled to go away her hometown quickly, Manuela finds it tough to adapt to her new environment. She has just one factor on her thoughts: shifting again to Toronto. Nonetheless, an surprising encounter turns Manuela’s life the wrong way up, calling into query all the things she’s identified to this point.
Canada | 21m
Director: Josiane Blanc
Author: Josiane Blanc
Producers: Josiane Blanc, Ania Jamila
Forged: Cindy Charles, Sandra Dorélas, Jamaal Mansaray, Laurence Barrette, Ted Pluviose, Madani Tall, Maïka Ferron, Nam Nguyen
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/920086803
Title: I Hate My Love Life
Logline: After years of bickering, a well-seasoned married couple determine to go on dates with different individuals to see if the grass is absolutely greener on the opposite facet; solely to seek out out they don’t seem to be ready for the woes of new-age relationship.
USA | 15m
Director: Tiffany Jackman
Author: Tiffany Jackman
Producers: Tiffany Jackman, Orion Phillips II, Nia Watenza, Paula Spencer
Forged: Reggie Hayes, Terri J. Vaughn, Daphnique Springs, Orion Phillips II, Meghan Falcone, Roy Wooden Jr.
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/1046554296
Title: IntelliGent
Logline: Regent, an autistic genius in fourth grade is lured by a bully’s promise of recognition, setting off a race in opposition to time to unveil the reality and keep away from a 12 months of humiliation and catastrophe.
USA | 28m
Director: Kinnik Sky
Author: Kinnik Sky
Producers: Kinnik Sky
Forged: Josiah Howard-Tobia, Ernest Thomas, Kinnik Sky, Nia Johnson, Harper Bree, Rhaja Leigh, Dylan Taylor, Jaeden White
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5N1x7MLAfGE
Title: OFFBEAT *World Premiere
Logline: A unusual but elegant late 20s lady struggles to cover her true self as she leads an entertaining double life.
USA | 29m
Director: Jasmine Ogunjimi
Author: Paige Carroll
Producer: Paige Carroll
Forged: Breayre Tender, Robert Daniels, G’ionna Bowman, Craig Amar Johnson, April Rock, Dominick Johnson, Ahmenah Richardson
Trailer: https://youtu.be/naNioRtshd0
Title: Sideline Story *World Premiere
Logline: Hezi and Parker are two ex-basketball phenoms who discover themselves in an analogous predicament of economic struggles, quickly to comprehend that ball is likely to be the answer to each of their issues.
USA | 24m
Administrators: Deantè Grey, Sam Buckner, III
Author: Sam Buckner, III
Producers: Sam Buckner, III, Ski-ter Jones
Forged: Ezekiel Ajeigbe, Shan Moreno, David Reivers, Sophina DeJesus, King Martin
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXoDUXq0Vu8
Title: The Hype
Logline: A younger Black couple battles the sleazy sea of L.A. materialistic tradition at a celebration within the Hollywood Hills.
USA | 18m
Director: Justin Casselle
Writers: Maya Cryor, Joel Boyd
Producers: Ramone Hulet, Christopher McQueen, Maya Cryor, Joel Boyd
Forged: Maya Cryor, Joel Boyd, Ezekiel Ajeigbe, Alexis Brown, Fana Tesfagiorgis, Eliza Skinner, Randall Harr
HBO Brief Movie Award Showcase
A aggressive part for narrative shorts directed by, or written and produced by, individuals of African descent. Now in its twenty eighth 12 months, the HBO® Brief Movie Award is considered one of the vital prestigious brief movie showcases within the nation. 5 filmmakers are chosen as finalists and obtain an all-expenses-paid journey to the pageant. The Grand Prize winner receives a $10,000 money award, whereas every of the 4 runner-up finalists receives $5,000. The ABFF is an Academy Award-qualifying pageant for the Brief Movie class.
The next movies symbolize the finalists for the 2025 HBO Brief Movie Award.
Title: ManBooBs *World Premiere
Logline: At a pool celebration for his crush, an chubby Black teenager wrestles with disgrace and self-worth, risking heartbreak and humiliation to lastly inform her how he feels.
USA | 14m
Director: Luke Harris
Author: Luke Harris
Producers: Luke Harris, Jeremy Blum
Forged: Bryant Tardy, Bethany Livers, Camden Collier, Dwight Nelson, Milan Fields
Trailer: https://youtu.be/rfyvcXP_hLs
Title: A Magnificence Provide in Queens *World Premiere
Logline: In Queens, NY, Nigerian mom Ms. Aji and her daughter Tobi struggle to maintain their magnificence provide retailer afloat amid ruthless competitors and sabotage from rival retailers.
USA | 19m
Administrators: Oluseyi Olatujoye, Princess Adenike
Author: Princess Adenike
Producers: Princess Adenike, Caroline Chikezie, Oluseyi Olatujoye, Queensly Ajibola, Shalom C. Obiago
Forged: Caroline Chikezie, Clem Cheung, Princess Adenike, Paul Wang, Angella Katherine, Angela Chew, Queensly Ajibola, Keisha T. Fraser, Andrew Hsu, Natividad Alemany, Ayaan Diop, Alaia Diop, Ase Diop, Celia Au, Khoa Nguyen
Title: ADO
Logline: Ms. Hopkins is rehearsing A lot Ado About Nothing together with her center faculty theatre class when it’s interrupted by a college shooter.
USA | 16m
Director: Sam Henderson
Author: Sam Henderson, Ryan Romine
Producer: Rachel Jobin
Forged: Jenifer Lewis, Zachary Lane, Karis Henderson
Title: In Good Arms
Logline: Minutes earlier than the tip of her shift, a Black ER Physician is compelled to tackle two of probably the most difficult affected person circumstances of her profession in a tense Western, PA hospital.
USA | 14m
Director: Nick Buchheit
Author: Yasmine Crawley
Producers: Carl Kurlander, Janet Smith
Forged: Chanell Jones-Harris, Malcolm Thompson
Trailer: https://youtu.be/xvyBLrIOPRk
Title: Final Hoorah at G-Child’s
Logline: After blowing by her money inheritance, an aimless and apathetic artwork faculty grad should provide you with 5 months of again hire or she dangers eviction from her rent-controlled house in a gentrifying Brooklyn.
USA | 15m
Director: DeeDee Casimir
Author: DeeDee Casimir
Producers: DeeDee Casimir, Kim Coleman, Jordan Shanks
Forged: Armani Greer, Cecelia Friday, BeeBe Smith, Thomas Copeland Jr., Chaine “CJ Fly” Downer
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nb9uc1044jk
Voices Of Tradition
A non-competitive showcase of brief movies directed by individuals of African descent. This part is by invitation solely, with movies submitted to however not accepted as finalists for the HBO Brief Movie Award robotically thought-about for inclusion.
The next movies symbolize the 2025 official picks on this class:
Title: 333
Logline: Mona is grappling together with her previous option to have an abortion however upon studying girls’s decisions are taken away builds a bomb planning an assault on a neighborhood Supreme Court docket Justice motivated by the Roe v. Wade overturning.
USA | 21m45s
Director: Naturi Naughton-Lewis
Author: Naturi Naughton-Lewis, Korstiaan Vandiver
Producers: Two Lewis, Naturi Naughton-Lewis, Curshion Jones
Forged: Birgundi Baker, Naturi Naughton-Lewis, Vanessa Bell Calloway, John Clarence Stewart, Samuel Smith, Isley Key Brison
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/1056658648
Title: all of the love i may deal with
Logline: all of the love i may deal with is a re-imagining of the filmmaker’s mom’s younger diary, unraveling the uncooked complexities of Black motherhood, inventive ambition, and the enduring sacrifices girls should make as moms and artists. Primarily based on the true household story of pioneer filmmaker Kathleen Collins (Dropping Floor, 1982).
USA | 14m
Director: Ruby Rose Collins
Author: Ruby Rose Collins
Producer: Ruby Rose Collins
Forged: Breanna Williams, Yasir LaFond
Title: At all times, Most Of The Time *World Premiere
Logline: A remorseful lady discovers a magical stone that permits her to journey again in time, giving her the possibility to fix her damaged relationship and confront the private traumas which have plagued her life.
USA | 39m56s
Director: Victor V. Hogan II
Author: R. Alan Brooks
Producers: Michael Quigley, Kyle Vaughn, Victor V. Hogan II, Benton Aladin, R. Alan Brooks, Patti Kim Gill
Forged: Brittany S. Corridor, Patrick Walker
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/1070187988?share=copy
Title: BALACLAVA *World Premiere
Logline: In a village overshadowed by an abusive priest father, Maya longs for freedom and expression.
South Africa | 8m
Director: Kagiso Samuel Leburu
Author: Kagiso Samuel Leburu
Producers: Mapitso Ralephata, Bonolo Bogopane
Forged: Lethabo Mekoa, Collen Modisa, Mannini Mokhuthu
Trailer: https://youtu.be/JByGygecjSs
Title: Blown Possibilities *World Premiere
Logline: A younger lady tries to get a letter of advice from her job on the nook retailer, she is given one probability to show herself however issues get out of hand resulting in an explosive intrusion.
USA | 10m45s
Director: India Bey
Author: India Bey
Producers: Samiyah Wardlaw, Camille Chambers, Briuana Draper, India Bey
Forged: Jean Marie Landham, Deon Rodd
Title: Demons
Logline: A London cop returns to Lagos, risking all the things to avenge his lover’s loss of life, battling corruption and confronting his personal demons in a heart-wrenching quest for justice.
Nigeria, United Kingdom | 20m37s
Director: Emmanuel Imani
Author: Emmanuel Imani
Producers: Emmanuel Imani, Byron McNally
Forged: Emmanuel Imani, Fela Lufadeju, Ronke Adekoluejo, Abayomi Aka, Chris Jarman
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/956746445
Title: Don’t Grasp Up
Logline: In rural Hayti, Missouri a pint-drinking churchgoer confronts her previous when an surprising name from her former pupil disrupts her Sunday routine. Collectively they navigate their harsh, shared historical past, igniting a journey of reconciliation and redemption to save lots of a life.
USA | 10m
Director: Diamond Batiste
Author: Ron McCants
Producers: Ron McCants, Ramfis Myrthil, Alain Fleury, Diamond Batiste, L.T. Hines II
Forged: Paula Jai Parker, LT Hines II
Title: Duende *World Premiere
Logline: Having haters just isn’t a brand new factor, Genius has all the time been met with envy, simply ask Mozart… or Tupac.
USA | 20m
Administrators: Kevin Kittle, Petey McGee
Writers: Petey McGee, Robert Patricio
Producers: Petey McGee, Lazarus Simmons, Maxim Jean, Robert Patricio, Walker Clermont
Forged: Petey McGee, Robert Patricio, Maxim Jean, Walker Clermont, Lazarus Simmons
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBww4lNen9g
Title: elle/elle *World Premiere
Logline: After internet hosting a disastrous banquet, a long run couple fights for his or her marriage and identities triggered by Elle’s current popping out as a trans lady to her homosexual husband, Fritz.
USA | 20m
Director: Kelley Kali
Author: Shonnie Jackson
Producers: Kelley Kali, Jenna Cavelle, Brittani Ward, la georgea
Forged: la georgea, Dan Bucatinsky, L’lerrét Jazelle
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/1081181778?share=copy#t=0
Title: Fufu and Soup *World Premiere
Logline: Panicked by her lack of sexual expertise, a lady schemes to lose her virginity on the evening of her twenty ninth birthday celebration.
USA | 15m
Director: Marjan Mona Koffa
Author: Marjan Mona Koffa
Producers: Oona Wuolijoki, Marjan Mona Koffa
Forged: Adriyan Rae, Patrick Cage II, Chaize Macklin, Kyra Weeks, Dan Cathcart
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/1081661232?share=copy
Title: Commencement Day *World Premiere
Logline: “Commencement Day” is an edgy coming-of-age dramedy following highschool senior Cheech as he navigates his id, a love triangle together with his greatest buddy Sparkes, longtime crush Jayla, and the bittersweet chaos of rising up in NYC—all whereas rocking a purple sparkly go well with and surviving a celebration bus trip that takes his massive day in some surprising instructions.
USA | 15m
Director: Jordan Aaron Corridor
Author: Jordan Aaron Corridor
Producers: Jordan Aaron Corridor, Kevaughn Reid
Forged: Jordan Aaron Corridor, Nathaniel Logan Mcintyre, Kaci Walfall, Narci Regina, KJ Aikens
Trailer: https://youtu.be/tAZUv0XW_1A?si=wCtBoyzXkIQqIR1P
Title: HARLEM FRAGMENTS
Logline: An Afro-futurist scrapbook storytelling of a Harlem Black household’s lovely destruction through the 2008 recession. Primarily based on true occasions.
USA | 17m
Director: Cameron Tyler Carr
Writers: Cameron Tyler Carr, Danielle Therese Dougé, Wes Andre Goodrich
Producers: Harlem Renaissance Productions, Hold or Destroy Productions, Black Man Movies LLC, Trujulo Productions, Flor De Oro Tejada, Salma Qarnain, Fanshen Cox
Forged: Kyle Keyes, Stella Coviello, Roderick Lawrence, Clarissa Thibeaux, Christina Clements-Thompson, Jaleeca Yancy
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/818842637
Title: Hatchlings *World Premiere
Logline: A resentful teenager is compelled to babysit her turtle-obsessed half-brother; in the meantime, he dives right into a vivid fantasy world the place he’s a sea turtle and she or he is a tortoise.
USA | 15m
Director: Jahmil Eady
Author: Jahmil Eady
Producers: Tara Austin
Forged: Demi Singleton, Christian Robinson, Dominic Stephens, and Angela Lewis
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/1052473738
Title: Many 1000’s Misplaced *World Premiere
Logline: After believing him to be at work, an inquisitive younger lady should come to phrases with shedding her father as soon as she learns he has been sentenced to loss of life.
USA | 16m
Director: Jehan Patterson
Author: Jehan Patterson
Producers: Chirsten Vanderbilt-Ellis, Amirah Adem, Marlana Dunn
Forged: Celeste Clark, Sheldon Frett, Tristina Lee, Kris Sidberry
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/1081722949?share=copy#t=0
Title: Shifting Mountains
Logline: A younger, Black man from Tulsa, Oklahoma, Tre’lan seeks a brand new life and travels to a distant island of Hawaii, the place he finds peace for the primary time, by connection to nature, and finds which means, by a newfound love of the ocean and large wave browsing.
USA | 21m
Director: Jessa Williams
Producers: EP: Jessa Williams, Peter Goetz, Backroads Footage | Producer: Tre’lan Michael
Forged: Tre’lan Michael
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/954035631
Title: Nothin’ Good & twelfth Avenue *World Premiere
Logline: Over the course of 1 evening, two youngsters, two crooks, and one hitman all attempt to get their palms on a bag of stolen money.
USA | 15m43s
Director: Tone Foster
Author: Tone Foster
Producers: Yonel Cohen, Tone Foster
Forged: T.Ok. Richardson, Christian Carter, Thomas Avona, Jerimiyah Dunbar, Tjader France, Oscar Jordan, Jon Doss
Title: Ree’s Future *World Premiere
Logline: On the day of her debut, Ree, a 43-year-old aspiring rapper, is sabotaged by her defiant daughter Future.
USA | 15m35s
Director: Steven Mosley
Author: Steven Mosley
Producers: Steven Mosley, Jenna Mahmoud Bosco, Sherry Thompson, Adam Taylor, Jay Thames
Forged: Jessica “Jess Mahogany” Mitchell, Cia Jaye
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/1081008098?share=copy
Title: Rehash *World Premiere
Logline: A coder beta exams a groundbreaking program after a breakup.
USA | 17m31s
Director: Kevin Giles
Author: Kevin Giles
Producer: Samiyah Wardlaw
Forged: Niguel Quinn, Mister Fitzgerald, Nia Nichole, Emily Dale White
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/1046035320
Title: Unhappiness of Males *World Premiere
Logline: When a rancher learns he’s going to be a father, he should confront the trauma of his abusive previous to interrupt the cycle and construct a future rooted in love and reality.
USA | 11m34s
Director: Eli Moss
Author: Eli Moss
Producers: Otis Moss III, Kelly Pope, Judson Brown
Forged: Joshua Griffin, Daion Hubbard, Jade Bryant, Farris Langley, Luke Steward
Trailer: https://youtu.be/wUw37P4KE8M?feature=shared
Title: Sugar Dumplin
Logline: A younger lady needs to reconnect together with her estranged father who’s fighting dementia by creating meals from his Caribbean childhood.
Canada | 20m
Director: Tristan Barrocks
Author: Tristan Barrocks
Producers: Natanya Barrocks, Chantel Riley, Donisha Prendergast
Forged: Oliver Samuels, Chantel Riley, Nancy Kenny, Crystal C. Rose, Jacqueline Greer Graham
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/1004731619
Title: The Black Bart of Taco King #17 *World Premiere
Logline: A suave larcenist searches for a brand new accomplice at a dive bar and finds the right Bonnie to his Clyde. He takes her to dinner to place her to the take a look at, but she has all of the solutions… and extra.
USA | 12m40s
Director: Rickey Larke
Author: Rickey Larke
Producers: Lorelle Lynch, Lo Howard, Lyandre Pierre, Julian Park, Charles Taylor Goubeaud
Forged: Jasmine Mathews, Christopher Dietrick & Derrick A. King
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/1041792905
Title: The Inconvenience Retailer *World Premiere
Logline: When 5 unlikely strangers get caught in a fuel station throughout an alien invasion, they have to put their variations apart and work collectively to outlive.
USA | 13m
Director: Ifeanyi Ezieme
Author: Nzinga Kadalie Kemp
Producers: Fabiola Rodriguez
Forged: Hidekun Hah, Artrece Johnson, Allison Ohara, Joey Herman, Christian Ramirez Loya
Title: Zeke *World Premiere
Logline: Zeke is a darkish satire a few trusted barbershop proprietor who betrays a loyal shopper, forcing him to confront the tradition of silence that pervades their Brooklyn group.
USA | 20m
Director: Kerry Coddett
Author: Kerry Coddett
Producer: Krystal Payne
Forged: Hassan Johnson, Stephen Cofield, Sam Jay, Kerry Coddett
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/1060195619/65648c1250
