Event Lineup
The following offers a preview of the 2026 festival events, with more to be announced. Some events require a ticket purchase, others are exclusive to pass holders, and select events are free and open to the public. Follow us on social media for the latest updates.
Spotlight Screenings & Talk Events
Opening Night Film – Strung, courtesy of Peacock
Sponsored by Comcast NBCU
Wednesday, May 27 | 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm
New World Center – Performance Hall
From director Malcolm D. Lee, a talented violinist takes a prestigious job as a music tutor for the gifted daughter of an influential and enigmatic family. As she becomes entangled in their opulent world, unsettling secrets begin to surface, forcing her to question her safety, her dreams, and even her sanity.
Directed by Malcolm D. Lee, Starring Chloe Bailey, Lynn Whitfield, Lucien Laviscount, Anna Diop and Coco Jones
NBCU LAUNCH Talks: Crafting A TV Writing Career
Sponsored by Comcast NBCU
Thursday, May 28 | 1:15 pm – 2:30 pm
New World Center – Truist Hall
Join NBCU LAUNCH for a conversation with prolific producers and program alumni Felicia Pride (Bel-Air, A Different World) and Niceole Levy (Found, The Recruit), as they discuss pivotal moments that have shaped their writing careers, the elements of producing a successful show, and tips on navigating the current entertainment landscape.
Panelists: Jeanne Mau, EVP, TV Programming Inclusion (NBCUniversal LAUNCH, Moderator), Felicia Pride, Niceole Levy
HIGH TEA, BEYOND THE GATES – An Immersive Panel Experience
Sponsored by CBS
Thursday, May 28 | 6:45 pm – 8:00 pm
New World Center – Truist Hall
Join the creative team and cast of Beyond the Gates for an intimate conversation over high tea, celebrating the stories, characters, and cultural impact of the groundbreaking series. In this immersive panel, attendees will hear firsthand from the talent behind the show as they discuss the inspiration behind the drama, the collaboration that brings it to life, and the importance of powerful, multi-generational storytelling in daytime television. Set in a relaxed, elegant atmosphere, this special event invites guests to get dressed up and connect with the voices shaping one of television’s most talked-about new series!
HBO® Short Film Award Showcase
Sponsored by Warner Bros. Discovery/HBO
Thursday, May 28 | 8:15 pm – 10:15 pm
New World Center – Performance Hall
Now in its 29th year, the HBO® Short Film Award is regarded as one of the most prestigious short film showcases in the world. Five filmmakers are selected as finalists, with one Grand Prize winner receiving the HBO® Short Film Award and a $10,000 cash prize. Each of the four runner-up finalists will receive a $5,000 cash prize.
Hosted by Bevy Smith
Crunchyroll Presents: Black Fandom of Anime
Sponsored by Sony Pictures Entertainment
Friday, May 29 | 10:30 am – 11:45 am
New World Center – Truist Hall
Anime and Black culture have had a special relationship since it first hit American shores. Everything from hip hop to fashion to Black-created film and television can see some influences from the likes of Dragon Ball, Naruto, Jojo’s Bizarre Adventure, Gachiakuta, and just about every other anime under the sun.
Moderated by award-winning co-host of The Anime Effect: A Crunchyroll Podcast LeAlec Murray, this panel will explore the history of Black anime fandom, how it’s shaped Black identity in America, and how Black creatives have used it to draw inspiration for their art, from Michael B. Jordan’s directorial debut Creed 3 to Megan Thee Stallion’s fashion.
Panelists: LeAlec Murray (Moderator), Zeno Robinson, Kaneisha Williams
Vertical Money: A Distributor’s Truth About the Microdrama Game
Sponsored by Hartbeat | Blktopia
Friday, May 29 | 1:15 pm – 2:30 pm
New World Center – Truist Hall
Microdramas are the fastest-growing format in mobile entertainment, with platforms expanding rapidly and Hollywood taking notice, but the business behind vertical storytelling remains unclear to many creators. In this fireside chat, Clanagan offers a candid, distribution-side perspective on platform economics, content ownership, and audience monetization, breaking down who truly benefits in this evolving space. This conversation moves beyond hype to provide practical insight into what separates creators who build sustainable careers from those who don’t.
Panelists: Jeff Clanagan
Netflix’s Celebration of Black Television Panel
Sponsored by Netflix
Friday, May 29 | 2:15 pm – 3:30 pm
New World Center – Performance Hall
This panel will highlight and celebrate some of our phenomenal Black talent in front and behind the camera on some of our upcoming series debuting in 2026.
Basement People and Q&A, courtesy of BLACC
Sponsored by BLACC
Saturday, May 30 | 11:00 am – 11:45 am
O Cinema
Directed by Christine Swanson
*Free Community Event
In the Director’s Chair: The Making of GOAT with Tyree Dillihay
Sponsored by Sony Pictures Entertainment
Saturday, May 30 | 1:15 pm – 2:30 pm
New World Center – Truist Hall
In this inspiring conversation, GOAT director Tyree Dillihay reflects on his 7.5 year journey to bring his directorial debut to life at Sony Pictures Animation, in collaboration with Stephen Curry’s Unanimous Media. Featuring a standout voice cast including Caleb McLaughlin and Gabrielle Union, GOAT represents a bold step forward in animated storytelling. Dillihay will explore the creative decision-making, cultural perspective, and collaborative leadership required to bring the project to life – from guiding story and shaping performances to aligning hundreds of artists and technicians behind one cohesive vision. Attendees will gain practical insight into the animation production process and leave inspired to chart their own path in the entertainment industry.
Panelists: Tyree Dillihay (Director), Jon Gist
AI x XR Storytelling Showcase
Saturday, May 30 | 1:15 pm – 2:30 pm
Miami Beach Convention Center Screening Room 1
The AI + XR Storytelling Showcase at the American Black Film Festival features a curated selection of AI-driven films that explore how emerging tools are transforming the filmmaking process and expanding creative possibilities. Presented in partnership with GRX Immersive Labs and moderated by Alton Glass and King Willonius, the session offers a behind-the-scenes look at the workflows, tools, and techniques shaping this new era of storytelling. It also examines how these innovations are extending beyond film into immersive and interactive experiences.
Panelists: Alton Glass (moderator), Willonius Hatcher
The Final Game: Inside the Legacy of All American
Sponsored by WBD/HBO
Saturday, May 30 | 1:30 pm – 2:45 pm
New World Center – Performance Hall
Warner Bros. Television presents The Final Game: Inside the Legacy of All American. Join executive producer Nkechi Okoro Carroll and stars Michael Evans Behling, Greta Onieogou, Bre-Z, and Kareem Grimes as they huddle up for a special conversation to revisit the biggest moments that defined the series – while looking ahead to the powerful final season.
Panelists: Nkechi Okoro Carroll, Michael Evans Behling, Greta Onieogou, Bre-Z, Kareem Grimes
Iyanla Vanzant: Behind the Inside Fix
Sponsored by OWN
Saturday, May 30 | 4:00 pm – 5:15 pm
New World Center – Truist Hall
A soul-stirring fireside chat featuring Iyanla Vanzant, moderated by Abby Phillip, exploring the cultural and intergenerational impact of Vanzant’s work and the power of storytelling to inspire personal and collective healing.
Panelists: Iyanla Vanzant, Abby Phillip (moderator)
Kanan’s Evolution: An Inside Look at Season Five of “Power Book III: Raising Kanan”
Sponsored by STARZ
Saturday, May 30 | 4:30 pm
Miami Beach Convention Center, Screening Room 1
Join stars from the fifth and final season of STARZ’s original series “Power Book III: Raising Kanan” for an exclusive preview event. Through curated clips and a moderated discussion, guests will experience the Southside through a new lens—exploring Kanan’s evolution, rising family tensions, and the high-stakes drama ahead. Be among the first to discover what’s in store for Season Five, premiering June 12 on STARZ.
Meeting the Moment: A Documentary from L’Oréal Groupe and T Brand
Sponsored by L’Oréal Groupe
Saturday, May 30 | 6:45 pm – 8:00 pm
What’s the secret behind the Olympian Noah Lyles’s record-breaking sprints? How do star lucha libre wrestlers Persephone and La Catalina prepare their game face ahead of a match? And how does the FC Barcelona soccer player Jules Koundé achieve greatness through routine?
“Meeting the Moment” is a documentary narrated by the basketball legend Sue Bird that follows four athletes as they prepare for a major sports competition, revealing how physical training, mental fortitude and self-care rituals make up their winning formula.