Event Lineup
The following offers a preview of the 2025 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.
Panels & Conversations
Faith, Culture, and Streaming: Why Faith-Inspired Stories Are Winning on Streaming
Presented by Amazon MGM Studios
Thursday, June 12 | 10:30 am
New World Center – Truist Hall
Once seen as niche, faith-inspired content is now finding mainstream success and audiences are tuning in because the stories are just that good. This conversation unpacks how shows and films like The Chosen, House of David and Divorce in the Black are shifting the narrative around spiritually rooted storytelling and how platforms like Amazon are amplifying these narratives for the masses.
Panelists: Paras Patel (The Chosen), Michael Iskander (House of David), Traci Blackwell, (Head of Targeted Content, Amazon MGM Studios), and Amber Rasberry (Sr. Film Executive, Amazon MGM Studios)
Moderated by: TBA
After the Game: A Conversation with Chris Paul
Thursday, June 12 | 11:00 am
New World Center – Performance Hall
Join us for an in-depth conversation with Chris Paul, the NBA legend and co-founder of Ohh Dip!!! Productions. As a leader in sports, media, and entertainment, Paul has expanded his influence beyond the court, producing impactful content that highlights diverse voices and compelling storytelling. This session is part of the American Black Film Festival’s “Pro Hollywood” series, which explores the intersection of sports and entertainment while inspiring others to pursue opportunities in the industry. Attendees will gain invaluable insights from Chris Paul and develop a deeper understanding of the storytelling and production expertise that drive his growing legacy.
Featuring: Chris Paul
Moderated by: Jemele Hill (Journalist, Jemele Hill is Unbothered)
One of Them Days and the Undeniable Power of Black Audiences in Theaters
Presented by Sony Pictures Entertainment
Thursday, June 12 | 1:45 pm
New World Center – Truist Hall
Earlier this year, Black audiences showed up and showed out for the Issa Rae-produced film ONE OF THEM DAYS, making it one of the early box office hits of 2025. The successful release once again proved the intrinsic value of Black content and the importance of creating meaningful marketing moments that lead to movements. This discussion will help arm and empower creatives to understand some of the core marketing fundamentals necessary to shepherd their content to the right audiences and learn tools that can be used during production to enhance consumer awareness and drive positive outcomes once their stories hit the screen. This session will offer valuable insights and takeaways for aspiring filmmakers and creatives, spotlighting how strategic marketing can drive cultural impact.
Panelists: Bridgette Wright (SVP, Global Creative Advertising, Sony Pictures Entertainment), Ellene V. Miles (SVP, Global Intersectional Marketing, Sony Pictures Entertainment), Janessa Ross (Director, Influencer Marketing, Sony Pictures Entertainment)
Moderated by: Jon Gist (Executive Director, Global Intersectional Marketing, Sony Pictures Entertainment)
Sisterhood & Savings: A Conversation with Gabrielle Union
Presented by Ally Financial
Thursday, June 12 | 2:00 pm
New World Center – Performance Hall
Join Gabrielle Union and Ally Financial for an inspiring conversation on the power of collective financial growth, well-being, and supporting each other in the journey. This engaging panel will explore money-mindfulness and how women can uplift and support each other.
Featuring: Gabrielle Union
Moderated by: Kelley L. Carter (Journalist)
Bravo’s “Kings Court”: Grown Man Business – Love, Life, and the Spotlight
Presented by Comcast NBCUniversal
Thursday, June 12 | 4:30 pm
New World Center – Performance Hall
Following the success of “Queen’s Court,” now it’s time for the Kings to take the throne! Bravo’s new series “King’s Court” brings a bold take to dating in the spotlight, following three larger-than-life legends – supermodel-actor Tyson Beckford, NBA All-star Carlos Boozer and WWE Hall of Famer Thaddeus “Titus O’Neil” Bullard – as they search for a connection that is real, grown and lasting in Hollywood’s limelight. In this candid conversation, Beckford and Bullard will share their unique perspectives on modern dating as grown Black men in the public eye while managing the shifting societal expectations of men in long-term relationships. Joining them will be “King’s Court” hosts Holly Robinson Peete and Rodney Peete and executive producer Richard Brown who will give a behind-the-scenes look of the show from concept to premiere date. Come for the tea, stay for the truth. The court is in session.
Panelists: Holly Robinson Peete (Host), Rodney Peete (Host), Tyson Beckford (Supermodel, Actor), Thaddeus “Titus O’Neil” Bullard (WWE Hall of Famer), Richard Brown (Executive Producer)
Moderated by: Scott Evans (Journalist, Access Hollywood)
Beyond the Payout: The Hidden Value of Protection for Entertainment Professionals
Presented by Northwestern Mutual
Thursday, June 12 | 5:00 pm
New World Center – Truist Hall
Join Northwestern Mutual for cocktails and a thought-provoking conversation featuring insights from our expert financial advisors. You will receive invaluable tips on how to grow and protect your legacy through life and disability insurance, as well as designing a financial plan that allows you to balance today’s priorities with your future goals as an entertainment professional.
Panelists: Michael D. Watson II (CLTC®, Financial Advisor), Chawn A. Payton (ChFC®, CLU®, CLTC®, Financial Advisor)
Moderated by: TBD
Propelling Purpose with Dondré Whitfield
Thursday, June 12 | 8:15 pm
New World Center – Truist Hall
Join us for an unforgettable night of raw energy, deep introspection, and electrifying improvisation with acclaimed actor, author, and speaker Dondré Whitfield. In this one-man show, Whitfield steps onstage not just as a performer, but as a guide—challenging, inspiring, and activating the ABFF community to transform their pain into purpose. Through powerful storytelling, sharp humor, and audience interaction, he delivers an immersive experience designed to awaken creativity and push past personal limitations.
Featuring: Dondré Whitfield (Actor and Author, Male vs. Man)
The Future of Storytelling: AI and Immersive Technologies in Filmmaking
Friday, June 13 | 10:30 am
New World Center – Truist Hall
Hosted by Alton Glass from GRX Immersive Labs, this panel will explore the transformative role of AI and immersive technologies in storytelling, focusing on empowering Black creators. Participants will discover the creative possibilities of technology in narrative creation, including the application of Afrofuturism to enhance representation and expression.
Panelists: Alton Glass (Storyteller, Founder and Head of Immersive, GRX Immersive Labs), Will Hatcher (Comedian, Writer, AI Storyteller), Sadah Espii Proctor (XR Director, Sound/Media Designer)
The Remix: Ashanti’s New Chapter of Love, Life & Legacy in Peacock’s “Nelly & Ashanti: We Belong Together”
Presented by Comcast NBCUniversal
Friday, June 13 | 11:30 am
New World Center – Performance Hall
We’ve all been living for the rekindled romance of one of music’s iconic couples – Grammy-winning artists Ashanti and Nelly. In Peacock’s new docu-series, “Nelly & Ashanti: We Belong Together,” they’re giving us front-row seats to the ultimate remix about their journey from spinning the block and locking it down to welcoming their first child together. From backstage moments to baby prep and everything in between, this docuseries is the real-life Hip Hop Soul love story we’ve been waiting for. Join Ashanti, showrunner and executive producer Oji Singletary and NBCUniversal programming executive Brittinee Royes for a lively conversation with Refinery29 Unbothered’s Kathleen Newman-Bremang about chronicling the marriage, family life and careers of one of our favorite couples. Expect big laughs, heartwarming moments, and maybe even a mic drop – because when it comes to love and legacy, Ashanti never misses a beat.
Panelists: Ashanti (Executive Producer), Oji Singletary (Showrunner, Executive Producer), Brittinee Royes (Creative Executive, Peacock)
Moderated by: Kathleen Newman-Bremang (Global Deputy Director, Refinery29)
Creating with Care: A Conversation on Mental Wellness & the Creative Journey
Presented by Warner Bros. Discovery/OWN
Friday, June 13 | 1:45 pm
New World Center – Truist Hall
In an industry that thrives on imagination and emotional depth, how do creators protect their own mental and emotional wellbeing? Join OWN Your Health – a wellness initiative by OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network – for a soul-nourishing conversation that brings together trailblazing voices who are reshaping the narrative around mental health in entertainment and beyond. From daily rituals to deep healing, discover how to prioritize mental wellbeing in today’s evolving cultural and professional landscape. Whether you are a creator, a fan or someone navigating your own wellness journey, this is the conversation you didn’t know you needed.
Moderated by: Tina Perry (President, OWN)
Panelists: Tai Beauchamp (Founder, Morning Mindset with Tai), Dr. Maysa Akbar (Chief Diversity Officer, American Psychological Association)
The Longevity Playbook: A Conversation with Blair Underwood
Presented by AARP
Friday, June 13 | 2:15 pm
New World Center – Performance Hall
A fireside chat featuring acclaimed actor Blair Underwood exploring career longevity, financial planning, and long-term success in the entertainment industry. Hear firsthand from Blair how he’s prioritized wellness throughout his career and taken charge of his financial health to feel more confident about the future. The conversation will explore staying relevant, financially secure, and healthy for creators, offering valuable insights across generations.
Featuring: Blair Underwood
Moderated by: Alicia R. Wallace, MPH (Director of Age-Inclusive Marketing, AARP)
Reel & Radiant: A mixer for Black LGBTQ+ creatives and their allies
Presented by GLAAD
Friday, June 13 | 5:00 pm
New World Center – Truist Hall
Join GLAAD, the world’s largest LGBTQ media advocacy organization, at ABFF for an inspiring and necessary mixer and panel conversation centering Black LGBTQ+ voices in film and television. From the importance of inclusive writers’ rooms to the challenges and triumphs of bringing Black queer narratives to the screen, panelists will share insights from their creative journeys and reflect on how visibility shapes culture. Whether you’re a creative, an ally, or a changemaker in the making, this mixer and panel offers both inspiration and practical takeaways for building a more inclusive media landscape—one reel at a time.
Guests must be 21 years of age or older to attend this event. Valid proof of age is required.
Reel Healing: Using Film to Normalize Mental Wellness in Black Communities
Presented by NAMI
Saturday, June 14 | 10:30 am
New World Center – Truist Hall
Championing authentic mental health narratives in Black storytelling—while advocating for healing centered portrayals that celebrate both vulnerability and strength in entertainment.
Panelists: Daniel H. Gillison, Jr. (CEO, NAMI), Christine M. Crawford, M.D., MPH (Associate Medical Director, NAMI)
Moderated by: TBA
Black Opulence: The Intersection of Culture, Class & Capital in Peacock’s “Bel-Air”
Presented by Comcast NBCUniversal
Saturday, June 14 | 1:00 pm
New World Center – Performance Hall
Join Peacock’s “Bel-Air” stars Adrian Holmes, Cassandra Freeman, and Olly Sholotan alongside showrunner and executive producer Carla Banks-Waddles for a dynamic conversation on reimagining Black wealth and identity in modern television. They’ll dive into how “Bel-Air” transformed a beloved, transformational sitcom classic into a bold, dramatic portrait of Black affluence—one that challenges tired stereotypes and elevates narratives of ambition and unapologetic success. From showcasing the upward mobility to navigating systemic barriers, this panel will explore the power of storytelling to reshape how Black opulence is seen, celebrated, and understood on screen today.
Panelists: Carla Banks-Waddles (Executive Producer/Showrunner), Cassandra Freeman (Actor), Adrian Holmes (Actor), Olly Sholotan (Actor)
Moderated by: Kaitlyn McNab (Culture Editor, Teen Vogue)
BOB Talks: Showcasing Black-Owned Brands
Saturday, June 14 | 2:15 pm
New World Center – Truist Hall
BOB Talks, short for Black Owned Brands, is a dynamic new event debuting at the 2025 American Black Film Festival. Celebrating Black entrepreneurship, it highlights the founders behind standout consumer products and brands.
Each session features candid conversations and inspiring stories that explore the realities of building a business, from overcoming challenges to achieving success. BOB Talks offers valuable insights that inform, motivate, and empower the next wave of Black innovators.
Panelists/Founders: Lisa Price (Carol’s Daughter), Ingrid Best (iBest Wines), Maya Smith (The Doux), Jennifer Bell Sinigal-Cornelius (Born To Roam)
Moderated by: Nicole Friday (President, NICE CROWD)
Empowering Diversity Through Storytelling Networking Happy Hour
Presented by ESPN
Saturday, June 14 | 5:15 pm
New World Center – Truist Hall
ESPN continues to entertain the industry with engaging documentaries. Through our commitment to creating unforgettable stories that entertain and resonate globally, we strive to ensure that everyone feels seen, heard, and valued. Join us in celebrating the beauty and diversity of the world around us through the power of storytelling.
Panelist: Kati Fernandez (Senior Director, Head of Development, ESPN)
Moderated by: Diadra Wilson (Senior Director, Talent Acquisition, ESPN)
Guests must be 21 years of age or older to attend this event. Valid proof of age is required.