Artist Bio
Overview
The American Black Film Festival is an annual event dedicated to empowering Black talent and showcasing film and television content by and about people of African descent. Dedicated to the belief that diverse artists deserve the same opportunities as their mainstream counterparts, ABFF Founder Jeff Friday conceived the festival in 1997 as a vehicle to strengthen the Black entertainment community by fostering resource sharing, education and artistic collaboration.
Twenty-seven years later, the ABFF has become a cornerstone of diversity in Hollywood, providing a platform for emerging Black artists – many of whom have become today’s most successful actors, producers, writers, directors and stand-up comedians. It is widely considered the preeminent pipeline for Black artists in front of and behind the camera, and has significantly expanded the range of talent working in the entertainment Industry.
As “the world’s largest community of Black film and TV enthusiasts”, the festival draws a live audience of 5,000+ persons to Miami Beach, as well as more than 35,000 virtual attendees on the ABFF PLAY platform. The live festival opens with a Hollywood release followed by a robust lineup of studio premieres, independent films, master classes, panels, talent showcases, and a variety of networking and hospitality events. The virtual segment follows the live festival featuring screenings and panels, reaching an audience spanning across 123 countries.
The 28th annual ABFF will be held in Miami Beach, June 12-16, 2024, and on ABFF PLAY from June 17-24. The American Black Film Festival is a property of ABFF Ventures LLC (ABFFV) is an American entertainment company specializing in the production of events that celebrate Black culture and achievement.
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FILM SCHEDULE @ O CINEMA SOUTH BEACH
It Takes A Village: An East Van Story
CANADA | 79 min | USA PREMIERE
Thursday, June 13 | 10:30 am | O Cinema South Beach
The journey of two Ugandan brothers unfolds in East Vancouver highlighting the impact of community in empowering at-risk youth to triumph over adversity.
Who In The Hell Is Regina Jones?
USA | 99 min | WORLD PREMIERE
Thursday, June 13 | 1:15 pm | O Cinema South Beach
Before Rolling Stone, there was Soul Newspaper. Behind Soul, there was Regina Jones. Against all odds, Regina blazed her own path, and at 80 has found herself again.
King Of Kings: Chasing Edward Jones
FRANCE | 98 min
Thursday, June 13 | 4:20 pm | O Cinema South Beach
A European filmmaker searches for the truth about her grandfather, the most famous Policy Kings of all times, who rose to the heights of financial and political prominence in Chicago in the ‘30s, despite discrimination.
A Time To Yell: More Than A Statue
USA | 63 min | WORLD PREMIERE
Friday, June 14 | 10:30 am | O Cinema South Beach
Former Charlottesville city council member Dr. Wes Bellamy’s impassioned activism reveals the tumultuous journey for racial justice sparked by the controversial removal of Confederate statues and leading to one of modern America’s most divisive conflicts.
Body of Water
USA | 103 min | USA PREMIERE
Friday, June 14 | 1:00 pm | O Cinema South Beach
Sometimes you have to take justice into your own hands.
Freedom Hair
USA | 99 min
Friday, June 14 | 4:00 pm | O Cinema South Beach
Based on the inspiring, true story of Melony Armstrong, a mother who works at a shelter for battered women decides to start a hair braiding business and must overcome obstacles imposed by a powerful cartel and the state of Mississippi.
Family Tree
USA | 97 min
Friday, June 14 | 7:15 pm | O Cinema South Beach
In the American South, Black forest landowners fight to maintain their family legacy and create sustainable forests for generations to come.
Young King
USA | 94 min | WORLD PREMIERE
Saturday, June 15 | 1:00 pm | O Cinema South Beach
As Diondre Howell re-adjusts to civilian life and struggles to cope with the scars of the Iraq war, he increasingly becomes a threat to those he cares about the most – his family.
Train: The Dick “Night Train” Lane Story
USA | 93 min | WORLD PREMIERE
Saturday, June 15 | 4:00 pm | O Cinema South Beach
Trace the remarkable rise of Dick Night Train Lane, from the concrete fields of the 1920s to Madden Football stardom, as he transforms from being discarded in a trash can to earning a place in the Football Hall of Fame.
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