The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is making waves as it broadens its horizons to include New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, and Atlanta. This expansion signifies a major milestone for the festival, enhancing its mission to amplify Black voices and storytelling across the nation. Celebrating 30 years of showcasing Black creativity, the ABFF is launching a new initiative that promises to bring its dynamic spirit to these key cultural hubs.
The ABFF Pop-Up Tour: A National Celebration
Marking its 30th anniversary, the ABFF is embarking on the Pop-Up Tour, a national initiative that seeks to infuse the festival’s vibrant energy into four major U.S. cities. Starting in October, this tour will debut at AMC Theatres in New York City, continue through Atlanta and Dallas in November, and conclude in Los Angeles in December. Each stop will feature award-winning independent films, engaging celebrity dialogues, and curated panels. A highlight includes the BOB Talks, an inspiring series focusing on Black-Owned Brands.
Vision and Mission: Bringing Film to the People
“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.” By taking the festival to local communities, ABFF aims to create new spaces for talent discovery, creativity celebration, and cultural unity.
Ally Financial is partnering with ABFF to support this vision, as Erica Hughes, senior director at Ally Marketing, expressed: “Ally honors the remarkable talent and creativity showcased at the American Black Film Festival Pop-Up Tour. Elevating their voices is crucial to our mission as a financial ally.”
Tour Schedule and Locations
The tour stops are as follows:
- New York – October 25–26 – AMC Lincoln Square
- Atlanta – November 8–9 – AMC Madison Yards
- Dallas – November 15–16 – AMC NorthPark
- Los Angeles – December 13–14 – AMC The Grove
By expanding to New York, Los Angeles, Dallas, and Atlanta, the American Black Film Festival continues to foster an inclusive and dynamic platform that celebrates the unique voices and stories of Black creators. This initiative not only honors three decades of creative excellence but also sets the stage for future growth and innovation in the film industry.
