ABFF bringing festival to 4 major cities, including Atlanta
Longevity Playbook: A Convesation with Blair Underwood during Day3 of the American Black Film Festival at New World Center on June 13, 2025 in Miami Beach, Florida. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/ABFF)
ATLANTA - The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is hitting the road this fall with a new national "Pop-Up Tour," bringing the celebrated festival’s energy and programming to four U.S. cities.
What we know:
Organized by NICE CROWD, the company behind ABFF, the tour will feature award-winning independent films, celebrity conversations, and curated panels, including BOB Talks, a speaker series highlighting Black-owned brands. The goal is to connect directly with communities where Black arts and entertainment thrive while expanding ABFF’s mission of cultural equity, creativity, and access beyond its flagship Miami Beach event, which is approaching its 30th year.
The tour begins Oct. 25–26 at AMC Lincoln Square in New York, before heading to Atlanta Nov. 8–9 at AMC Madison Yards, Dallas Nov. 15–16 at AMC NorthPark, and wrapping up Dec. 13–14 at AMC The Grove in Los Angeles. Ally Financial is the founding national sponsor.
What they're saying:
"For nearly three decades, ABFF has been a cornerstone for showcasing and elevating Black storytelling," said Jeff Friday, ABFF cofounder and CEO of NICE CROWD. "The ABFF Pop-Up Tour is a natural evolution of that mission — a mobile cultural movement designed to expand opportunity and deepen connection."
Erica Hughes, senior director of Ally Marketing, said supporting the tour aligns with Ally’s commitment to Black and brown creators. "Elevating their voices, sharing their experiences, and celebrating the unique gifts they bring to our communities is a key piece of Ally’s mission to serve everyone as a financial ally," she said.
Additional programming details will be announced in the coming weeks. Updates will be available at www.nicecrowd.com and on ABFF’s social media channels.