After three decades of movement, the American Black Film Festival is heading back to Los Angeles, and this time, it’s staying. ABFF announced today that its 31st edition will take place May 20–23, 2027 in Los Angeles, a move that plants one of the entertainment industry’s most influential festivals directly in the center of the industry it serves.
The shift marks the beginning of what ABFF is calling its next chapter, coming off a milestone 30th anniversary and entering its fourth decade as a trusted platform for discovering talent, advancing careers, and building the kind of relationships that change trajectories.
For those keeping track, this isn’t the festival’s first time finding a new home. ABFF launched in Acapulco, Mexico, where it remained until relocating to Miami in 2002. The festival briefly moved to Los Angeles in 2007 before returning to Miami in 2009. It then spent time in New York City in 2014 and 2015 before heading back to Miami, where it has remained, until now.
“For more than three decades, we’ve built ABFF with the belief that access can change the trajectory of a career and that creating space for new voices strengthens our entire industry,” said Jeff Friday, Founder of ABFF and CEO of NICE CROWD. “As we look to the future, our responsibility is to keep pushing forward, expanding what’s possible, and creating greater opportunities for the next generation of storytellers. That’s what this next chapter represents.”
The festival will spread across several of Los Angeles’ leading cultural and entertainment destinations. AMC The Grove will host screenings, while SLS Beverly Hills serves as the hub for industry programming, conversations, master classes, and professional development sessions.
The Original Farmers Market will feature activations and community experiences, and the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures will host marquee events. Complimentary daytime shuttle service will connect all venues throughout the festival, keeping the community moving between screenings, networking events, and special presentations.
“ABFF has always been defined by the people who come together and the sense of community we’ve built over the years,” said Nicole Friday, President of NICE CROWD. “As we look ahead, we want to build on that foundation, creating new opportunities for filmmakers, audiences, industry leaders, and partners to connect while preserving the spirit and sense of belonging that have always made ABFF special.”
The 31st edition also arrives with new programming that reflects where the culture is going. ABFF First Look: The Studio Showcase will feature exclusive previews of upcoming projects from studios, independent distributors, and streaming platforms, complete with footage, special announcements, and appearances from filmmakers and talent.
ABFF Sports, a festival within the festival, will explore the intersection of sports, storytelling, entertainment, media, business, and culture through screenings, conversations, and special presentations featuring athletes, filmmakers, executives, and journalists. And Crossroads, a new noncompetitive film section, welcomes filmmakers of all backgrounds whose narrative and documentary features explore the intersections of culture, identity, and community through distinctive perspectives and shared human experiences.
ABFF 2027 is set for May 20–23 in Los Angeles.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of ABFF
