ABFF 2025 Kicks Off in Miami Beach with Star Power and Short Film Brilliance  

ABFF 2025 Kicks Off in Miami Beach with Star Power and Short Film Brilliance Nicole Friday and Larenz Tate Welcome Filmmakers, Fans, and Legends to Opening Night Celebration 

By Villij News Staff 

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — The 29th annual American Black Film Festival (ABFF) set it off in style Wednesday night, June 11, with an electric opening ceremony led by Nicole Friday, President of Nice Crowd, and actor Larenz Tate, known for his roles in “Love Jones,” “Menace to Society,” “Crash,” “Dead Presidents,” and within the “Power” universe. The pair welcomed an audience of filmmakers, industry insiders, and fans to a weeklong celebration of Black cinematic excellence. 

Held at the New World Center in Miami Beach, the evening spotlighted the HBO® Short Film Award Showcase, one of the most prestigious platforms for emerging Black filmmakers. Now in its 28th year, the showcase awards a $10,000 grand prize to one standout filmmaker, with four additional finalists each receiving $5,000. Importantly, ABFF is an Academy Award-qualifying festival in the Short Film category, making it a serious launchpad for indie talent. 

This year’s powerful film lineup featured emotionally rich storytelling and bold directorial voices: 

• ManBooBs by Luke Harris follows an overweight teen confronting shame and young love at a pool party. 

• A Beauty Supply in Queens, directed by Oluseyi Olatujoye and written by Princess Adenike, shares the battle of a Nigerian mother-daughter duo trying to save their beauty shop. 

• ADO by Sam Henderson dives into tragedy as a school shooting interrupts a middle school theater class’s rehearsal of Much Ado About Nothing. 

• In Good Hands, directed by Nick Buchheit, written by Yasmine Crawley, explores the life-or-death choices a Black ER doctor faces in the final minutes of her shift. 

• Last Hoorah at G-Baby’s by DeeDee Casimir brings humor and hustle as a recent art grad fights eviction in Brooklyn. 

The red carpet was glowing with appearances from cultural icons and civic leaders, including Jeff Friday (Co-Founder/CEO, Nice Crowd), Bevy Smith (host of the HBO Showcase), Mayor Steven Meiner of Miami Beach, and WWE’s Titus O’Neil (Thaddeus Bullard), among others. 

Founded in 1997 by Jeff Friday, ABFF remains the leading festival for showcasing and uplifting Black storytelling in film and television. The event has launched countless careers and remains a cornerstone for Black creatives. This year’s sponsors include HBO® and Warner Bros. Discovery, Comcast NBCUniversal, Walmart, Ally, and the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, which continues to welcome this cultural powerhouse to the heart of South Florida.