American Black Film Festival Moves to Los Angeles for Its 31st Edition

The American Black Film Festival, which has called Miami home for the past 24 years, will relocate to the greater Los Angeles region for its 31st edition, scheduled for May 20-23, 2027. Film screenings will take place at AMC’s Grove location and high-profile events will be staged at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. Industry programming will be centered at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills, with additional community activations at the Original Farmers Market.

Jeff Friday, the festival’s founder and CEO of NICE CROWD, said the move reflects a commitment to broaden access and nurture the next generation of Black creators. Nicole Friday, president of NICE CROWD, added that the festival aims to preserve its community spirit while offering fresh networking opportunities. The lineup introduces new programming, including the First Look: The Studio Showcase, ABFF Sports, and a non-competitive Crossroads showcase, alongside existing competitive categories and the long-standing HBO® Short Film Award.