Out Of Africa: The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) has unveiled the competition lineup …
Cameroonian Feature “Lights Out” And Nigerian Documentary “The Heart of D’Tigress” Selected For this year’s edition The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) has unveiled the competition lineup for this year’s edition, with some African titles selected for screening. In 2026, ABFF celebrates its 30th anniversary under the theme “Homecoming”, a tribute to the festival’s rich legacy and […]
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Cameroonian Feature “Lights Out” And Nigerian Documentary “The Heart of D’Tigress” Selected For this year’s edition
The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) has unveiled the competition lineup for this year’s edition, with some African titles selected for screening.
In 2026, ABFF celebrates its 30th anniversary under the theme “Homecoming”, a tribute to the festival’s rich legacy and the global community it has cultivated over three decades. This milestone event will honour the past while looking toward the future.
The festival lineup includes selections across narrative features, documentary features and series sections, representing more than 10 countries.
“As we celebrate the 30th anniversary of the American Black Film Festival, this year’s slate reflects the spirit of homecoming — honouring the stories and creative vision that have shaped our legacy while welcoming a new generation of filmmakers”, said Nicole Friday, president of festival sponsors Nice Crowd, announcing the selections. “This milestone year brings together a compelling range of films from around the world. We’re proud to provide a platform where both emerging and established storytellers can connect with audiences, showcase their work, and help shape the future of cinema.”
The African films competing at this year’s showcase include:
Lights Out / Cameroon (Director: Enah Johnscott, Screenwriter: Nfua Buh Melvin, Producers: Carista Asonganyi, Nfua Buh Melvin)
When Lucas is admitted into a dementia care facility while searching for his missing daughter, he meets the powerful woman who runs it, but nothing is as it seems.
Cast: Wale Ojo, Shaffy Bello, Ngongang Elizabeth Wandji, Syndy Emade, Libota MacDonald.
Beyond the Rim – The Heart of D’Tigress / Nigeria (Director: Adesua Okosun, Producers: Deniese Davis, Vinay Vaswani, Enyi Omeruah)
Against impossible odds, D’Tigress transforms from underdogs to unstoppable, becoming the first African team to reach an Olympic quarterfinal.
Cast: Rena Wakama.
The ABFF also promises to exhibit a dedicated slate of other productions from the African continent, with details of selected films to be announced in the coming weeks.
ABFF is an annual event dedicated to empowering emerging talent and showcasing film and television content by and about people of African descent. Founded in 1997 by Jeff Friday, the festival was conceived to strengthen the independent film community through resource sharing, education, and artistic collaboration.
Following its initial launch as a destination film festival, ABFF has evolved into a leading talent discovery platform. Today, it attracts a global community of creators, executives, and enthusiasts. Featuring a dynamic mix of film screenings, panel discussions, master classes, networking events, and lifestyle experiences, the five-day festival draws more than 7,000 attendees annually, serving as a vital platform for emerging voices and creative excellence in the industry.
Over the years, ABFF’s programming has expanded beyond film and television to present a broader reflection of culture — including technology, music, comedy, business, finance, sports, health, and wellness. This holistic approach positions ABFF as not only a festival but also a cultural hub celebrating the intersections of creativity, innovation, and achievement across disciplines. Originally launched in Acapulco, Mexico as the Acapulco Black Film Festival, the event later relocated to Miami, Florida, USA where it grew into a vital cultural institution with global reach.
For three decades, ABFF has served as a launchpad for countless actors, writers, and directors. Its dedication to inclusivity and fostering new talent has cemented its legacy, with its cultural significance recognized by the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, which has preserved ABFF’s photographs and archives in its permanent collection.
The 2026 ABFF will take place in Miami Beach from 27 to 31 May, 2026.
