The 2026 ABFF will celebrate three decades of Black storytelling with alumni-curated programming and submissions open through February 10.
The American Black Film Festival will return to Miami, Fla., from May 27–31, 2026, marking its 30th anniversary with the theme “The Homecoming.”
For three decades ABFF has served as a discovery platform and cultural hub for Black filmmakers, and next year’s festival leans into that legacy by inviting alumni and longtime supporters to help shape a portion of the program. Organizers describe the move as a new curatorial approach that honors the people who helped build the festival while spotlighting emerging voices.
Founder Jeff Friday framed the anniversary as both celebration and responsibility: ABFF was created to give diverse talent a place to be seen and supported, and “The Homecoming” is meant to recognize the many alumni whose work and advocacy have defined the festival’s influence.
By putting alumni in curatorial roles, ABFF aims to create programming that connects past achievements with the next generation of storytellers — a literal and symbolic return of those who helped build the festival’s community.
Submissions are open now through Feb. 10 in multiple categories, including narrative features, documentary features, series, voices of culture, South African stories, and an AI & XR storytelling showcase.
The inclusion of an AI and XR track signals ABFF’s interest in expanding the conversation around new forms of storytelling alongside more traditional film and series categories.
Over the years ABFF has been an early stage for many filmmakers and creators who later became household names. Notable alumni and showcased talents include Ryan Coogler, Ava DuVernay, Issa Rae, Kevin Hart, Will Packer, F. Gary Gray, Steven Caple Jr., and others.
The festival has also drawn high-profile ambassadors and keynote participants — actors and filmmakers such as Idris Elba, Halle Berry, Denzel Washington, Spike Lee, and Gabrielle Union have lent their voices and presence to ABFF’s programming, amplifying its cultural reach.
Nicole Friday, president of Nice Crowd, emphasized the festival’s role as more than an annual event: it’s “a cultural home” where community, mentorship, and industry access converge.
The 30th-anniversary edition promises to be a reflective, alumni-driven celebration that honors ABFF’s past while actively shaping the future of Black storytelling.
