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Submissions Now Open: ABFF Launches 9:16 Microdrama Project to Elevate Creators in the Booming Vertical Storytelling Space

New Initiative Identifies, Elevates, And Amplifies Mobile-First Episodic Series By Creators Of Color

LOS ANGELES, CA (January 22, 2026) – The 30th annual American Black Film Festival (ABFF) announced today that the festival is expanding its programming with the launch of the ABFF 9:16 Microdrama Project, a new digital-first initiative designed to identify, showcase, and amplify outstanding vertical microdrama series by creators of color.

Microdramas are short-form, vertical episodic video series built for mobile-first consumption and optimized for popular social media platforms and emerging apps. Typically running one to two minutes per episode, microdramas rely on fast pacing, heightened emotion, and cliffhanger storytelling to drive binge viewing and repeat engagement.

The ABFF 9:16 Microdrama Project positions ABFF at the forefront of this emerging sector by creating a dedicated platform to surface new voices, connect creators with global audiences, and expand access to opportunity within the fast-growing vertical content ecosystem.

“Vertical storytelling is redefining how audiences discover and consume scripted content,” said Jeff Friday, Cofounder & CEO of NICE CROWD and Founder of ABFF. “With the ABFF 9:16 Microdrama Project, we are extending ABFF’s mission into this next frontier and ensuring creators of color are not only represented, but leading the evolution of this format and participating in the economic upside of this rapidly expanding market.”

A select group of standout microdrama series will be chosen through a competitive review process evaluated by industry professionals, including creative executives, producers, and leaders across digital, film, and emerging media. Selected projects will be named Official Selections of the ABFF 9:16 Microdrama Project

Official Selections will receive curated digital-first exhibition across ABFF platforms and integrated visibility within the 2026 American Black Film Festival, providing creators with meaningful exposure, industry recognition, and audience discovery opportunities.

Creators retain full ownership and creative control of their work while benefiting from increased visibility, professional validation, and access to the broader ABFF ecosystem. For submission information and eligibility requirements, please visit the ABFF website, linked HERE.

ABFF sponsors 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), Sony Pictures Entertainment (Official), Netflix, Miami Beach Visitor and Convention Authority (Supporting), Motion Picture Association (Contributing) and Variety, LA Times (Media).

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.

To receive ABFF notifications by email, sign up HERE!

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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Media Contact:
[email protected]

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Angela Bassett to Receive Excellence in the Arts Award at ABFF Honors

The American Black Film Festival Honors Will Celebrate The Actress, Director and Executive Producer For Her Distinguished Career Achievements And Acclaimed Body Of Work

LOS ANGELES, CA (January 8, 2026) – The 8th American Black Film Festival (ABFF) Honors announced today that actress, director and executive producer Angela Bassett will receive the Excellence in the Arts Award. Presented by NICE CROWD, the 2026 ABFF Honors will take place on Monday, February 16 at the SLS hotel in Beverly Hills, CA. The intimate, non-televised dinner will bring together ABFF honorees and festival partners.

The ABFF Honors Excellence in the Arts Award recognizes a highly acclaimed artist for their body of work and distinguished career achievements.

As previously announced, the evening will also honor Dwayne Johnson with the Entertainment Icon Award, powerhouse talent Jennifer Hudson, host of The Jennifer Hudson Show with the Renaissance Award, trailblazing director and executive producer Salli Richardson-Whitfield with the Evolution Award, and critically acclaimed actor Damson Idris with the Horizon Award.

In addition, ABFF Honors will pay special tribute to the creative team behind the motion picture Sinners — the extraordinary cinematic achievement from acclaimed filmmakers Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, and Sev Ohanian, starring Michael B. Jordan. The event will be hosted by New York Times best-selling author and award-winning comedian KevOnStage.

“Angela Bassett is the embodiment of excellence,” said NICE CROWD CEO and President Jeff Friday and Nicole Friday. “Her body of work is both extraordinary and enduring, defined by performances that are fearless, powerful, and deeply human. She has set a standard for artistic integrity and cultural impact that continues to inspire generations, and we are honored to celebrate her remarkable career with the Excellence in the Arts Award.”

Angela Bassett is an Honorary Oscar recipient and Emmy Award–winning actress, director, and executive producer whose career spans decades of iconic, culture-shaping performances. Her film work includes Malcolm X, Waiting to Exhale, How Stella Got Her Groove Back, What’s Love Got to Do With It—which earned her an Academy Award nomination—Black Panther, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Mission: Impossible – Fallout, Damsel, and Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning. Bassett’s return as Queen Ramonda in Wakanda Forever earned her Golden Globe and Critics Choice Awards, along with Academy Award, SAG, and BAFTA nominations, and the Variety Creative Impact in Acting Award.

On television, Bassett stars in and executive produces ABC’s hit drama 9-1-1 and won her first Emmy for Outstanding Narrator for the NatGeo docu-series Queens. She has been named to the TIME 100 and TIME Women of the Year, and her honors include multiple Emmy nominations, a SAG Award, two Golden Globes, 16 NAACP Image Awards, the Black Girls Rock! Icon Award, Critics Choice Career Achievement Award, AAFCA TV Honor, and Glamour’s Women of the Year Award. A Disney Legend, Bassett also directs and produces through Bassett Vance Productions, which is partnered with 20th Television. A graduate of Yale University, where she earned both her B.A. and M.F.A., she has received multiple honorary doctorates in recognition of her enduring impact on film, television, and culture.

ABFF Honors is the American Black Film Festival’s annual awards season gala dedicated to recognizing excellence in the motion picture and television industry. Founded in 2016, the ceremony pays tribute to Black artists who have made significant contributions to American entertainment through their work as well as those who champion diversity and inclusion in Hollywood.

ABFF Honors stems from the American Black Film Festival (ABFF), founded by Jeff Friday in 1997, the leading festival of its kind showcasing Black storytelling. Since its inception, the ABFF has been dedicated to supporting Friday’s conviction that Black artists deserve the same opportunities as their mainstream counterparts. Having premiered the work and encouraged the careers of many of today’s most successful filmmakers and actors, the ABFF has become the standard-bearer of excellence for Black American creativity.

ABFF Honors is executive produced by Jeff Friday, Nicole Friday (NICE CROWD) and Rikki Hughes (Magic Lemonade) in association with dePasse Jones Entertainment. Sponsors for the event to date include: Ally Financial (Presenting), Sony Pictures Entertainment, Andscape (Silver), Morgan Stanley Global Sports & Entertainment, HBO Max (Bronze), SLS Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Beverly Hills (Contributing), and Variety (Media).

For more information about ABFF Honors visit www.abffhonors.com.

Follow @AmericanBlackFilmFestival on Instagram and Facebook, and @ABFF on X.

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

Media Contact:
[email protected]

Download 2026 ABFF Honoree Photos: HERE

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

LOS ANGELES, CA (January 6, 2026) – 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/

Download image HERE

Media Contact:
[email protected]