The American Black Movie Competition (ABFF), a number one platform for movie and tv content material by and about individuals of African descent, has introduced its thirtieth anniversary version. The pageant will return to Miami Seashore from Could 27–31, 2026, underneath the celebratory theme “The Homecoming.”
Based in 1997 by Jeff Friday, ABFF was created to strengthen the unbiased movie group by means of collaboration, training, and useful resource sharing. Over three many years, the pageant has advanced right into a premier expertise discovery platform, attracting filmmakers, executives, and fans from around the globe. Annually, greater than 7,000 attendees collect for screenings, panels, grasp lessons, networking occasions, and way of life experiences. Submissions for the 2026 pageant at the moment are open at www.abff.com/miami/submissions.
In honor of its milestone, the 2026 pageant will characteristic a singular curatorial method, with parts of the lineup formed by ABFF alumni and longtime supporters. These artists, lots of whom launched their careers by means of the pageant, will assist design programming that displays the “Homecoming” theme and the pageant’s three-decade legacy.
“ABFF has at all times been about discovery, celebration, and connection,” stated Jeff Friday, Founding father of ABFF and CEO of NICE CROWD. “For 30 years, we’ve constructed a platform the place numerous expertise might be seen, heard, and supported. The Homecoming is about honoring the alumni who helped form our legacy and provoking the following technology of storytellers to create work that may outline the longer term.”
Nicole Friday, President of NICE CROWD, added, “ABFF has turn into greater than a pageant — it’s a cultural house. We will’t wait to welcome our alumni, audiences, and business companions again to Miami for what can be our most significant celebration but.”
Over time, ABFF has showcased the early work of notable filmmakers, together with Ryan Coogler, Ava DuVernay, Issa Rae, Kevin Hart, Will Packer, F. Gary Grey, Ben Watkins, Steven Caple Jr., Omari Hardwick, Datari Turner, and Reinaldo Marcus Inexperienced. The pageant has additionally attracted movie star ambassadors akin to Idris Elba, Halle Berry, Taraji P. Henson, Lena Waithe, Anthony Mackie, Regina Corridor, Tracee Ellis Ross, Morris Chestnut, Nia Lengthy, and Larenz Tate, whereas internet hosting keynote conversations with Denzel Washington, Angela Bassett, Spike Lee, Queen Latifah, Kerry Washington, Gabrielle Union, Kenya Barris, Mara Brock Akil, Malcolm Lee, and Gina Prince-Bythewood, amongst others.
Submissions for the thirtieth annual ABFF are open till February 10, 2026, throughout the next classes:
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Narrative Options – Aggressive part for feature-length movies by or about individuals of African descent. Jury Awards embody Finest Narrative Function, Finest Director, and the John Singleton Award for Finest Debut Function for first-time administrators.
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Documentary Options – Aggressive part for non-fiction options directed by or about individuals of African descent. Jury Award for Finest Documentary Function.
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Sequence – Aggressive part for short-form sequence by or about individuals of African descent. Jury Award for Finest Sequence.
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Voices of Tradition – Non-competitive showcase of brief movies by individuals of African descent, introduced by invitation solely, reflecting the worldwide Black expertise.
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African Tales – Non-competitive showcase highlighting Africa’s rising filmmaking expertise and cultural storytelling.
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AI and XR Storytelling Showcase – Non-competitive showcase of modern works created utilizing synthetic intelligence and immersive applied sciences, curated in partnership with GRX Immersive Labs.
For extra data on submitting or registering, go to www.abff.com.
