HBO® Short Film Award Showcase
A competitive section for narrative shorts directed by, or written and produced by, persons of African descent. Now in its 28th year, the HBO® Short Film Award is regarded as one of the most prestigious short film showcases in the country. Five filmmakers are selected as finalists and receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the festival. The Grand Prize winner receives a $10,000 cash award, while each of the four runner-up finalists receives $5,000. The ABFF is an Academy Award-qualifying festival for the Short Film category. The following films represent the finalists for the 2025 HBO Short Film Award:
ManBooBs
USA | 14 min | WORLD PREMIERE
At a pool party for his crush, an overweight Black teenager wrestles with shame and self-worth, risking heartbreak and humiliation to finally tell her how he feels.
Director: Luke Harris | Writer: Luke Harris | Producers: Luke Harris, Jeremy Blum | Cast: Bryant Tardy, Bethany Livers, Camden Collier, Dwight Nelson, Milan Fields
A Beauty Supply in Queens
USA | 19 min | WORLD PREMIERE
In Queens, NY, Nigerian mother Ms. Aji and her daughter Tobi fight to keep their beauty supply store afloat amid ruthless competition and sabotage from rival shops.
Directors: Oluseyi Olatujoye, Princess Adenike | Writer: Princess Adenike | Producers: Princess Adenike, Caroline Chikezie, Oluseyi Olatujoye, Queensly Ajibola, Shalom C. Obiago | Cast: Caroline Chikezie, Clem Cheung, Princess Adenike, Paul Wang, Angella Katherine, Angela Chew, Queensly Ajibola, Keisha T. Fraser, Andrew Hsu, Natividad Alemany, Ayaan Diop, Alaia Diop, Ase Diop, Celia Au, Khoa Nguyen
ADO
USA | 15 min
Ms. Hopkins is rehearsing Much Ado About Nothing with her middle school theatre class when it is interrupted by a school shooter.
Director: Sam Henderson | Writer: Sam Henderson, Ryan Romine | Producer: Rachel Jobin | Cast: Jenifer Lewis, Zachary Lane, Karis Henderson
In Good Hands
USA | 14 min
Minutes before the end of her shift, a Black ER Doctor is forced to take on two of the most challenging patient circumstances of her career in a tense Western, PA hospital.
Director: Nick Buchheit | Writer: Yasmine Crawley | Producers: Carl Kurlander, Janet Smith | Cast: Channel Jones-Harris, Malcolm Thompson
Last Hoorah at G-Baby’s
USA | 14 min
After blowing through her cash inheritance, an aimless and apathetic art school grad must come up with five months of back rent or she risks eviction from her rent-controlled apartment in a gentrifying Brooklyn.
Director: DeeDee Casimir | Writer: DeeDee Casimir | Producers: DeeDee Casimir, Kim Coleman, Jordan Shanks | Cast: Armani Greer, Cecelia Friday, BeeBe Smith, Thomas Copeland Jr., Chaine “CJ Fly” Downer