SHOWCASING BLACK TALENT. DISCOVERING NEW VOICES.

ABFF stands as a leading film festival, where Black movie enthusiasts, artists, and filmmakers from around the world, come together with an extraordinary range of stories, countries, and cultures. The annual program presents new short films, web series, documentaries, and narrative features (U.S. & International), providing a space for Black creatives to be celebrated.

While the festival is widely known for promoting what’s hot in Black film and television, our most significant work is to uplift new voices. We have supported and recognized the talent of hundreds of artists over the years, including presentations of our very first ABFF Rising Star Award to Hal-le Berry in 1997 and the HBO Short Film Award to director Ryan Coogler (Black Panther) in 2011.

What began as an endeavor to showcase the work of African American filmmakers has grown into a global celebration of Black culture, pride, and strength. Among our most esteemed accomplishments are the ABFF images and artifacts that the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture has included in its permanent collection in Washington, D.C.

The 26th annual ABFF will be held in Miami Beach, June 15-19, 2022.

Awards & Prizes

Jury Award -- Best Narrative Feature - U.S.
Jury Award -- Best Director, Narrative Feature (U.S.)
Jury Award -- John Singleton Award for Best First Feature (U.S.)

Jury Award -- Best Narrative Feature - International

Jury Award -- Best Documentary Feature (U.S. & International)

Jury Award -- Best Web Series

Rules & Terms

Eligibility criteria is found listed under each category and summarized on ABFF.com/submissions/

20 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Tarabu Betserai Kirkland

    100 Years From Mississippi was honored to be selected in this year’s American Black Film Festival. The festival was so well organized in spite of the pandemic challenges and converting to an all virtual format. It would have been great to be in Miami for our screening but the festival team was amazing in the presentation of the screenings and creating networking and professional opportunities for filmmakers. Can’t wait to attend the next live festival.

    November 2021
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  • Michael Jenkins

    This has been an amazing experience despite it being online this year. This is my first time having something at this festival and i feel very honoured.

    November 2021
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  • Jennifer Holness

    ABFF remains one of the top film festivals to be invited to for any artist PERIOD!

    November 2021
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  • Richmond Obeng

    Amazing festival that actually puts the effort into finding opportunities for their filmmakers and not just simply screening their work. They go above and beyond to make sure filmmakers get the most out of their work.

    November 2021
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  • RON RAY

    This has to be truly one of the Best Film Festivals in the country. I was very sad we could not attend due to Covid, but the virtual version has been executed at the highest level. The quality of films competing is just top shelf! The staff, the founders, the team behind the festival are extremely professional, their technology is way ahead of most. It has been an honor and privilege to bring out the film TREES OF PEACE to the festival, and as a producer, I have nothing but respect for the founders. You really have to care to put together something this amazing. The networking events, even virtually, were so well put together. The entry fee is worth every penny. To me, this is one of the TOP 10 film festivals in the USA.

    November 2021
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