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American Black Film Festival Unveils ABFF Sports, Expanding Its 2026 Programming to Celebrate the Power of Sports in Media & Culture

ABFF SPORTS - A New Initiative Showcasing the Power of Sports Storytelling

LOS ANGELES, CA (December 17, 2025) – The 30th annual American Black Film Festival (ABFF) announced today that the festival is expanding its programming with ABFF SPORTS, a new initiative spotlighting the growing influence of sports content across film, television, and digital media while also celebrating athletes who have successfully transitioned beyond competition into creative, entrepreneurial, and cultural leadership. The track will debut during the upcoming festival taking place May 27-31, 2026, in Miami Beach.

In recent years, the entertainment industry has seen a notable rise in sports-centered storytelling and athlete-driven creative ventures, reflecting the expanding role of sports within today’s entertainment landscape. This growing momentum has shaped ABFF’s long-term vision in this space. ABFF SPORTS now formalizes that evolution, establishing a dedicated platform to spotlight the powerful intersection of sports, storytelling, and culture.

ABFF SPORTS will present a dynamic lineup of screenings, conversations, and immersive experiences that explore the intersection of sports, storytelling, and culture. The programming will highlight the creators, athletes, and innovators driving today’s sports-entertainment landscape and will include:

  • Film & Series Screenings – Feature films, documentaries, shorts, and episodic projects centered on athletic journeys, cultural impact, and sports-influenced storytelling, each accompanied by post-screening discussions with filmmakers and talent.
  • Panel Discussions – Industry dialogues featuring athletes, executives, producers, directors, and journalists addressing topics such as athlete-led media companies, emerging sports content trends, sports-business storytelling, and new models in sports programming.
  • Sports Icon Talks – Intimate one-on-one conversations with influential sports figures whose impact extends into culture, leadership, entrepreneurship, and creative work.
  • Interactive Brand Experiences – Onsite installations and activations—including product showcases, athlete appearances, sports-tech demonstrations, and fan engagement—created in partnership with sports and lifestyle brands.

“Black voices have become central to modern sports storytelling, and ABFF is intentionally embracing that cultural force. “As athletes continue to expand their influence in content creation, entrepreneurship, and leadership, we saw a timely opportunity to evolve ABFF in this direction,” said Jeff Friday, Cofounder & CEO of NICE CROWD and Founder of ABFF. “ABFF SPORTS reflects how deeply sports and the narratives born from it shape today’s entertainment landscape.”

“Sports have always been a catalyst for storytelling and cultural expression,” added Nicole Friday, Cofounder and President of NICE CROWD. “This new track expands the festival’s scope and creates fresh opportunities for brands and creators to engage with our audience.”

ABFF sponsors and partners to date include Warner Bros. Discovery and HBO® (Founding), Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) (Host), Ally Financial (Presenting), American Airlines, City of Miami Beach (Major), Netflix (Supporting), and Variety (Media).

Partnership opportunities for the 2026 ABFF SPORTS launch are now open. The program offers unique integration opportunities for content companies, networks, streamers, and sports-focused media brands looking to showcase original programming, amplify talent, and engage directly with the festival’s influential global audience of creators, executives, industry leaders, and fans.

Additional details and programming announcements will be released in the coming weeks. For updates, visit www.nicecrowd.com and follow @ABFF on Twitter and @AmericanBlackFilmFestival on Instagram and Facebook.

About ABFF:
The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is the premier 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, ABFF has evolved into a leading talent discovery platform, attracting a global community of creators, executives, and fans. Each June, the festival draws more than 7,000 attendees to Miami Beach for five days of screenings, panels, networking, and cultural experiences. Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2026, ABFF continues to serve as both a launchpad for talent and a cultural hub amplifying the diverse intersections of culture and achievement.

About NICE CROWD:
NICE CROWD is a pioneering live events company operating at the intersection of culture, entertainment, and tourism. Founded by Nicole and Jeff Friday, the company produces high-impact festivals, awards shows, and destination experiences in major U.S. cities and global markets. Guided by The Power of Gathering, NICE CROWD believes that when people come together, creativity flourishes, new voices are amplified, and meaningful connections are made. The company’s mission is to harness that energy to drive cultural relevance and deliver measurable economic impact for its partners. With expertise in event production, audience engagement, and strategic partnerships, NICE CROWD showcases groundbreaking artists and innovators creating experiences that resonate with audiences while enabling brands and media to shape a more connected, creative world. www.nicecrowd.com

More information about the American Black Film Festival (ABFF): https://www.abff.com/miami/

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