ABFF in Miami, Day Two

Day 2 of the 27th American Black Film Festival Showcases Black Excellence and Celebrates Artistic Collaboration

The second day of the 27th American Black Film Festival kicked off with an electrifying atmosphere as the legendary White Party set the stage for a memorable celebration that lasted well into the early morning hours. The day's events were centered around honoring and amplifying Black artists across various platforms, bringing together a diverse mix of social media influencers, actors, directors, filmmakers, musicians, and more. Spotlight screenings took center stage, particularly highlighting the work of independent and documentary filmmakers.

One of the highlights of the day was "The Lena Waithe Effect" panel, where the acclaimed writer and producer Lena Waithe emphasized the importance of understanding one's roots and staying true to one's path. Lena, who sees herself as a descendant of Black cinema and television, expressed her pride and honor in her heritage. She spoke passionately about the need to be a bridge for others to be seen and recognized in the industry.

Following a screening of their new show, "Act Your Age," Yvette Nicole Brown, Kym Whitley, and Alyson Fouse delighted an enthusiastic audience with a hilarious conversation. The trio engaged in a lively discussion, adding an extra layer of enjoyment to the screening.

Another exciting moment unfolded on the red carpet as the cast of Lionsgate's film, "The Blackening," gathered to celebrate a special advance screening. The event was followed by a Q&A session, moderated by Terrence J, where the cast and filmmakers discussed the making of the film during the challenging pandemic period. They also emphasized the significance of releasing the film during the Juneteenth weekend, highlighting its themes of friendship, loyalty, and fighting for one's life. Antoinette Robertson, one of the film's actors, shared, "We believe Juneteenth embodies the essence of our film, which is why we wanted to release it during this timeframe." Fellow cast member Jermaine Fowler also made a powerful call to support Black horror films, urging everyone to celebrate Black people's success in the genre by supporting "The Blackening."

Notable guests in attendance throughout the day included Jeff Friday, Nicole Friday, Omarion, Romeo Miller, Terrence J, D-Nice, Kevin Liles, Lance Gross, Jay Pharoah, and many more, demonstrating the festival's wide appeal and its ability to attract influential figures from the industry.

The day's schedule encompassed a range of notable experiences, such as panels on social media's transformative impact on filmmaking, music supervision in film presented by Warner Bros. Discovery, candid conversations with the cast of "Act Your Age" presented by Bounce TV, and the YouTube Black Voices Festival Showcase courtesy of YouTube Black Voices. Red carpet media interviews were conducted for both documentary and narrative features, allowing filmmakers to share their insights and creative processes. Additionally, there were engaging sessions on Black women writers in film and TV, as well as the exploration of the hip house genre.

The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) has been an essential platform dedicated to recognizing Black talent and showcasing high-quality film and television content by and about people of African descent. Founded by Jeff Friday in 1997, ABFF serves as a catalyst for the Black entertainment community, fostering resource sharing, education, and artistic collaboration. Over its 27-year history, the festival has become a vital proponent of diversity in Hollywood, providing emerging Black artists with a prominent stage to showcase their work. ABFF is a flagship event of Nice Crowd, formerly known as ABFF Ventures LLC, a leading entertainment company in the event tourism arena.

For more information about Nice Crowd events and the American Black Film Festival, visit www.nicecrowd.com, where the essence of Black excellence continues to thrive and inspire audiences worldwide.