If your question is not addressed below or in the Rules & Terms on our FilmFreeway page, please contact us at info@nicecrowd.com. We are unable to provide submission support by phone.
How do I submit my film to ABFF?
All submissions must be made through FilmFreeway. ABFF does not accept submissions via email or any other platform.
We recommend that a key member of the filmmaking team, preferably the director or producer, submit the project using an email address that is monitored regularly throughout the submission process.
When is the submission deadline?
Submission deadlines are listed on our FilmFreeway page under Dates & Deadlines. All deadlines are 11:59 PM Pacific Time.
What are ABFF’s premiere requirements?
ABFF requires all submitted films to maintain, at a minimum, Los Angeles Premiere status at the time of screening. Films that have publicly screened in Los Angeles prior to ABFF are not eligible for consideration.
Premiere Status Definitions
World Premiere – The film has not screened publicly anywhere in the world prior to its presentation at ABFF.
U.S. Premiere – The film has screened publicly only in its country of origin and has not yet screened publicly in the United States.
Los Angeles Premiere – The film has screened publicly elsewhere but has not yet screened publicly in Los Angeles.
No Premiere Status – The film has already screened publicly in Los Angeles or is scheduled to do so prior to ABFF. Films without Los Angeles Premiere status are not eligible.
What is considered a public screening?
A public screening is any exhibition that is advertised, ticketed, open to the public, or attended by members of the press.
Private cast-and-crew screenings, invitation-only industry screenings, and certain educational showcases may be exempt. If you are uncertain whether a screening affects your premiere status, please contact us.
Can my film be available online?
Films that have been publicly available online in the United States prior to the festival are not eligible.
Films that have screened exclusively online outside the United States due to geoblocking may remain eligible.
Can I submit more than one film?
Yes. Filmmakers may submit multiple projects; however, each project requires a separate submission and submission fee.
Can I submit my film to multiple categories?
No. Each film may be submitted to only one category.
If ABFF programmers determine that a film is better suited for another category, it may be reassigned during the review process.
How do I know which category is right for my film?
Category descriptions and eligibility requirements are available on our FilmFreeway page. If you are uncertain which category best fits your project, please contact us before submitting.
Does submitting early improve my chances of acceptance?
No. All films are evaluated equally regardless of when they are submitted. The primary benefit of submitting early is access to lower submission fees.
What are your submission fees?
Current submission fees are listed under Categories & Fees on our FilmFreeway page.
Do you accept works-in-progress?
Yes. ABFF accepts works-in-progress and rough cuts. Please clearly indicate that the submission is incomplete and identify any significant elements that remain unfinished (e.g., color correction, sound mix, visual effects).
If selected, the final version must be delivered by the deadlines outlined in the acceptance materials that are sent to you by the programming team.
Do you accept screenplay or script submissions?
No. ABFF accepts completed film and episodic projects only.
Can I update my submission information after applying?
Yes. Submission information may be updated directly through FilmFreeway. See this link here for instructions on how to do so.
Can I update my screener after submission?
ABFF strongly encourages filmmakers to submit the version they wish to be evaluated.
Because submissions enter the review process shortly after receipt, we are unable to re-screen updated versions of your film.
If an updated version is available, it must be uploaded directly to FilmFreeway. Use this link to see instructions on how to do so.
Are there technical requirements for submissions?
ABFF does not impose specific technical requirements for submission beyond those required by FilmFreeway.
All projects must include a functional digital screener accessible throughout the review process.
Does my film need to have been completed within a certain timeframe?
Yes. To be eligible for ABFF 2027, films must have been completed on or after January 1, 2026.
I submitted previously and was not selected. May I resubmit?
ABFF generally does not recommend resubmitting films previously considered unless the project has undergone substantial creative changes since its prior submission.
If resubmitting, please note the revisions made since the previous review.
Can I request a fee waiver?
Waivers are considered on a case-by-case basis and are generally reserved for international filmmakers facing platform-access barriers. Submission fee waivers do not influence programming decisions.
Do you offer student discounts?
Yes. A student discount is available through FilmFreeway. To qualify, the film must have been completed while the filmmaker was enrolled as a student. Verification of enrollment status will be requested.
How do I know you received my submission?
You may monitor the status of your submission through your FilmFreeway account. If your submission status is listed as “In Consideration,” your project has been successfully received and is under review.
Why is my submission marked “Incomplete”?
A submission may be marked Incomplete if required materials are missing or inaccessible.
Common reasons include:
- Missing screener
- Invalid or expired screener link
- Changed password
- Missing subtitles (when required)
- Technical issues that prevent review
If your submission remains marked Incomplete and you have not received communication from ABFF, please contact us.
Can I withdraw my film and receive a refund?
No. Submission fees are non-refundable. Refunds will not be issued for any reason, including withdrawal, incorrect category selection, changes in premiere status, distribution agreements, duplicate submissions, technical errors, or rejection from the festival.
When will filmmakers be notified?
The Notification Date is listed on our FilmFreeway page. All submitted filmmakers will receive a final decision on or before the published Notification Date.
My film was accepted to another festival. Will this affect my eligibility?
Possibly. ABFF requires, at a minimum, Los Angeles Premiere status. If acceptance into another festival results in a public screening in Los Angeles prior to ABFF, your film will become ineligible.
Filmmakers are responsible for notifying ABFF of any changes to their premiere status.
How will I be notified?
Selected filmmakers will receive an official invitation from the ABFF programming team. Projects not selected will be notified through FilmFreeway.
If my film is selected, am I guaranteed an in-person screening?
Yes. All accepted films will receive one in-person and screening during the festival. Screening schedules, venues, dates, and times are determined solely by ABFF and are subject to change.
Will my film be invited to screen virtually?
Yes. If selected, your film will be allowed to screen virtually to industry passholders.
Can I request an early decision?
No. Due to the volume of submissions received, ABFF is unable to accommodate requests for early notification.
Do you have content or ratings restrictions?
No. ABFF accepts projects intended for a wide range of audiences and content classifications. Programming decisions are based on artistic merit, storytelling, and overall fit within the festival.
While we support artistic expression and do not seek to censor creative work, ABFF does not accept films that promote or contain grossly derogatory, discriminatory, or hateful content, including racism, sexism, misogyny, homophobia, or other forms of prejudice.
Do you have competition sections?
Yes. Jury prizes are awarded in select categories, including Narrative Feature, Documentary Feature, Episodic Series, and the HBO Short Film Award.
Do you screen films out of competition?
Yes. Many films selected for ABFF are presented outside of competition.
Do you program international films?
Yes. ABFF welcomes submissions from filmmakers around the world.
Do celebrities improve a film’s chances of selection?
No. Programming decisions are based on the quality of the work, not the profile of its cast.
Will my film actually be watched?
Yes. Every eligible submission is reviewed by members of ABFF's screening and programming team.
Do filmmakers have to be Black to submit?
Not always. ABFF's mission is to champion stories, creatives, and perspectives from the Black experience. Eligibility requirements vary by category. Filmmakers should review the specific requirements listed for each category before submitting, and submit to our Crossroads section if applicable.
What determines the final selections?
Final programming decisions are made exclusively by ABFF's programming team. Screeners provide evaluations and recommendations but do not make final selections.
Can I receive updates on my submission status?
ABFF is unable to provide individual progress updates during the review process. As long as your FilmFreeway status remains “In Consideration,” your project remains under review.
Can I receive feedback on my submission?
Due to the volume of submissions received, ABFF is unable to provide individual feedback, notes, or evaluation materials.
What are my responsibilities if my film is selected?
Selected filmmakers must deliver all required exhibition materials and completed participation forms by the deadlines outlined in their acceptance package.
Required materials include a DCP, backup screening file, captions, promotional assets, and other festival deliverables.
Will my film actually be watched?
Yes. Every eligible submission is reviewed by members of ABFF's screening and programming team.
Do filmmakers have to be Black to submit?
Not always. ABFF's mission is to champion stories, creatives, and perspectives from the Black experience. Eligibility requirements vary by category. Filmmakers should review the specific requirements listed for each category before submitting, and submit to our Crossroads section if applicable.
What determines the final selections?
Final programming decisions are made exclusively by ABFF's programming team. Screeners provide evaluations and recommendations but do not make final selections.
Can I receive updates on my submission status?
ABFF is unable to provide individual progress updates during the review process. As long as your FilmFreeway status remains “In Consideration,” your project remains under review.
Can I receive feedback on my submission?
Due to the volume of submissions received, ABFF is unable to provide individual feedback, notes, or evaluation materials.
What are my responsibilities if my film is selected?
Selected filmmakers must deliver all required exhibition materials and completed participation forms by the deadlines outlined in their acceptance package.
Required materials include a DCP, backup screening file, captions, promotional assets, and other festival deliverables.