The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is once again set to highlight its strong connection with Miami, a city whose rich diversity is central to the festival鈥檚 identity. More than just a host city, Miami鈥檚 vibrant culture and multicultural landscape are deeply woven into ABFF鈥檚 mission to celebrate Black storytelling and talent.
Miami is also recognized for a notable history within the film industry. During the 1980s and 1990s, the city emerged as a prominent filming location for Hollywood productions. Miami was featured prominently on television, notably with 鈥淢iami Vice,鈥� and in movies such as 鈥淎ce Ventura: Pet Detective,鈥� 鈥淭rue Lies,鈥� and 鈥淏ad Boys,鈥� demonstrating its appeal as a cinematic setting.
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Building on that legacy, the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) returns for its 29th edition from Wednesday, June 11 to Sunday, June 15, bringing together filmmakers, actors, industry professionals, and audiences for five days of celebrating cinema, innovation, and cultural dialogue. This year鈥檚 program includes a diverse lineup of films and a range of discussions on topics from immersive storytelling to wellness.
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鈥淭his year features one of our most well-rounded programs to date,鈥� says Jeff Friday, founder and CEO of Nice Crowd, the company that produces ABFF. 鈥淲e鈥檙e screening more than 70 independent films from across the globe, including the debut of our new South African Stories section. We鈥檝e also expanded our Talk Series to explore a broader range of topics, spanning sports, immersive storytelling, finance, and health and wellness.鈥�
Friday says the festival closes with 鈥淎BFF Remembers 鈥楲ove Jones,鈥� a special tribute to the iconic film starring his 鈥渄ear friends Larenz Tate and Nia Long.鈥� The film will be screened on Saturday, June 14 at 8:30 p.m. at the New World Center Performance Hall.
Founded by Friday as the Acapulco Black Film Festival in 1997, the cinematic event was rebranded as the American Black Film Festival and later relocated to Miami Beach with the support of the Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Friday reflected on the festival鈥檚 evolution, saying, 鈥淲e鈥檝e grown from a modest independent showcase into a globally respected cultural institution. We鈥檝e helped launch countless careers while providing a consistent platform to celebrate and elevate Black stories. I鈥檓 proud of how far we鈥檝e come, but I also recognize there鈥檚 more to do. The mission remains as urgent and relevant as ever.鈥�
Integral to that mission is Miami itself. 鈥淢iami/Miami Beach isn鈥檛 just our location, it鈥檚 part of the ABFF story,鈥� says Friday. 鈥淭he city鈥檚 vibrancy, multiculturalism, and energy reflect the very spirit of the festival. After two decades here, ABFF is deeply woven into the cultural fabric of South Florida.鈥�
This year鈥檚 program includes free film screenings and a business expo highlighting local entrepreneurs.鈥� Screenings include local films such as 鈥淗oorah 99鈥� and 鈥淭he Reject,鈥� inspired by the life of Miami-Dade County Commissioner Kionne McGhee.
Produced and co-written by Marco Mall Molinet, 鈥淭he Reject鈥� draws from real experiences growing up alongside McGhee. 鈥溾�楾he Reject鈥� was born from real-life pain and perseverance,鈥� says Molinet. 鈥淗is story, and so many others, inspired this film.鈥� Molinet emphasized the importance of giving a platform to often overlooked youth. 鈥淭hese aren鈥檛 鈥榖ad kids.鈥� These are future leaders, creators, and thinkers who need support, not punishment.鈥�
Shot entirely in South Miami, including Homestead and Naranja, 鈥淭he Reject鈥� is deeply rooted in the local landscape. 鈥淢iami isn鈥檛 just the backdrop; it鈥檚 the heartbeat of this story,鈥� Molinet said. 鈥淭he city鈥檚 energy, culture, and struggle gave the film its texture, truth, and urgency.鈥� The movie will be screened at 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 11 at O Cinema South Beach.
The festival also marks a full circle moment for Miami native Ashley Smith, who, alongside creative partner Brooklynite Ci Smith, will premiere their film 鈥淗oorah 99!鈥� right across from Ashley鈥檚 alma mater, Miami Beach Senior High School. 鈥淚 spent the first half of my life right here in Miami. My high school graduation was literally in the same building as ABFF, in the Miami Beach Convention Center,鈥� says Ashley Smith, whose film screens at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 14. 鈥淭o have 鈥楬oorah 99!,鈥� my debut feature world premiere, across the street is a blessing.鈥�
鈥淗oorah 99!鈥� blends dark comedy with family drama, inspired by Ash鈥檚 father and the challenges the couple faced after a financial crisis. 鈥淏efore Ash鈥檚 father passed away, he was taken advantage of by a reverse mortgage scam,鈥� explains Ci Smith. 鈥淭o save the home, our family leveraged all our assets. As we stood on the cusp, literally about to lose everything, we asked ourselves, 鈥業f we鈥檙e going to lose everything, what would we want to do before then?'鈥�
The result was a film that the Smiths wrote, directed and financed as a couple.
鈥淲e鈥檝e worked together since 2007, so this process felt quite familiar, just more intense. Ash and I are exact opposites: Ash is the artist. He鈥檚 impulsive and brilliant. I鈥檓 the steady one who gets it all done. He has the vision of a genius. I relentlessly make sure it鈥檚 executed. We balance each other out,鈥� says Ci.
The collaboration extended to hip-hop icon Ja Rule, who stars in the film as a spirit guide, and played a creative role behind the scenes. 鈥淩ule is great,鈥� says Ashley. 鈥淥ur relationship is honest and true. The thing about Rule, he does what he says he鈥檚 going to do.鈥�
Ci says the couple was hesitant to approach Rule.
鈥淏ut I summoned up the nerve, called him up and he responded, 鈥榊ou guys are making a feature?鈥� Without hesitation, he said, 鈥楢lright, I鈥檓 in!'鈥�
For the Smiths, ABFF is the ideal launchpad. 鈥淚t鈥檚 an honor and a privilege to be recognized and welcomed by a platform as respected and culturally vital as ABFF,鈥� says Ci. 鈥淎lthough we know 鈥楬oorah 99!鈥� crosses demographic lines, it is humbling to first stand with the many powerful voices ABFF continues to uplift.鈥�
鈥淗oorah 99鈥� will be screened at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 14 at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
One of the most anticipated elements of the 2025 edition is the City of Miami Community Day, set to take place at the Historic Lyric Theater in Overtown on Sunday, June 15, the last day of the film festival. Created through partnerships with the City of Miami and organizations such as the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, the initiative is designed to spotlight South Florida creatives and local entrepreneurs. It also serves as a platform for filmmakers based in the region to present their work.
鈥淐ity of Miami Community Day is one of the most important activities of the week,鈥� said Jeff Friday. 鈥淚t鈥檚 our way of giving back to the community that鈥檚 embraced us for so many years. It鈥檚 part of our ongoing commitment to supporting the regional film community.鈥�
As the festival enters its 29th year, its Miami home remains central to both its identity and impact. 鈥淭he Greater Miami region is dynamic, international, and unapologetically diverse, making it the ideal setting for a global celebration of Black culture and creativity,鈥� says Friday.
WHAT: American Black Film Festival (ABFF) 2025
WHERE: New World Center, 500 17th St., Miami Beach; Miami Beach Convention Center, 1901 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach; O Cinema, 1130 Washington Ave., Miami Beach; New York Film Academy (NYFA), 420 Lincoln Rd #300, Miami Beach; Bass Museum, 2100 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; The Lyric Theater, 819 NW 2nd Ave., Miami
WHEN: Wednesday, June 11 through Sunday, June 15
COST: Tickets range from free admission to $52.72 for some events. Click here for .
INFORMATION:
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