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.
Panels & Conversations
From Story to Impact: Black Queer Stories and Allyship Driving Culture and Change
Sponsored by GLAAD
Thursday, May 28 | 10:30 am – 11:45 am
New World Center – Truist Pavilion
Black queer storytelling has always been a force for visibility, truth, and cultural change, especially in the ongoing fight to end HIV stigma. This dynamic conversation brings together talent, creators, and industry leaders to explore how film, television, and digital media can challenge harmful narratives, humanize HIV experiences, and expand what audiences understand about identity, care, community, and allyship.
Panelists: Shar Jossell (moderator), Brandi Denise, Nicco Annan, Kharmony Fortune, Bithiah Lafontant
Peacock’s Strung: From Script to Screen
Sponsored by Comcast NBCU
Join the filmmakers and cast of Strung for a conversation about the making of the film and the story at its center: a talented musician whose opportunity pulls her into an unfamiliar and exclusive world. From shaping complex, layered roles to creating a world that feels both opulent and unsettling, the panel will unpack the storytelling choices that bring this gripping narrative to life.
Panelists: Malcolm D. Lee (Director/Producer), Dominique Telson (Producer), Chloe Bailey (“Laila Calloway”), Lynn Whitfield (“Audra Jelani”), Lucien Laviscount (“Marcus Walker”), and Coco Jones (“Jasmine”)
Moderated by: Alexis Frazier, WPLG
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 Pavilion
Passholders Only
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: Felicia Pride, Niceole Levy
Moderated by: Jeanne Mau, EVP, TV Programming Inclusion (NBCUniversal LAUNCH)
Built First: How Legacy Is Created A Conversation with Dawn Staley
Sponsored by Ally Financial
Legacy is built when you go first – before permission, before proof, before anyone else sees what you see. This fireside chat brings together three powerful examples of going first: Dawn Staley’s championship legacy as an Olympian, Hall of Famer, and head coach who’s built her career on her own terms. ABFF’s 30-year commitment to Black cinema when the industry wouldn’t make space. And Ally’s early leadership in women’s sports and financial wellness before it became a trend. We’ll explore the courage to move first, the clarity to stay aligned, and the conviction to create lasting impact – because legacy isn’t built when it’s easy; it’s built when you’re the only one who believes it’s possible.
Panelist: Dawn Staley
Moderated by: Jack Howard, Head of Money Wellness, Ally Financial
ABFF Sports Track
HIGH TEA, BEYOND THE GATES – An Immersive Panel Experience
Sponsored by CBS
Thursday, May 28 | 4:00 pm – 5:15 pm
New World Center – Truist Pavilion
Passholders Only
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—complete with thoughtfully curated light bites and refreshments to enjoy throughout the evening.
Panelists: Clifton Davis (Vernon Dupree in Beyond the Gates), Daphnée Duplaix (Dr. Nicole Dupree Richardson in Beyond the Gates), Sheila Ducksworth (President of CBS STUDIOS/NAACP Venture; Executive Producer of Beyond the Gates)
Moderated by: Tiffany Smith-Anoa’i, Executive Vice President, Content Engagement, Partnerships & Strategy, Paramount, TV Media
A Conversation with Regina King
Sponsored by American Airlines
As part of ABFF’s 30th Anniversary celebration, American Airlines presents a special Legacy Talk honoring the career of Regina King, marking her return to the festival. This intimate conversation traces her journey across film and television—from breakout roles to her Academy Award-winning work and evolution as a director and cultural force.
Accompanied by a curated selection of clips, the discussion explores longevity in Hollywood, creative risk-taking, and the responsibility of legacy. Both celebratory and reflective, the session positions Regina King as a blueprint for artistic excellence and lasting impact.
Panelist: Regina King
Moderated by: Gia Peppers
Meet the ABFF 9:16 Microdrama Creators
Thursday, May 28 | 6:45 pm – 7:45 pm
New World Center – Truist Pavilion
Passholders Only
Go behind the scenes of the inaugural ABFF 9:16 Microdrama Project in this conversation with creators from eight original vertical series. Hear how these emerging storytellers developed their concepts, navigated the challenges of short-form serialized storytelling, and envision the future of the rapidly growing Microdrama space.
Panelists: Alexis Rivera, A DIFFERENT KIND OF FOREVER; Caleb Davis, Blacked Out; Jai Harris, False Profit$; Amari Jones, Mechanical Pencil; Flavia Motsisi, The King, The Affair, and The Son Heir; Jean-Pierre Chapoteau, Faceplant
Moderator: Bobbi Broome
Crunchyroll Presents: Black Fandom and Anime
Sponsored by Sony Pictures Entertainment
Friday, May 29 | 10:30 am – 11:45 am
New World Center – Truist Pavilion
Passholders Only
Anime and Black culture have had a special relationship since the medium first hit American shores. Everything from hip hop to fashion to Black film and television can see some influences from the likes of Dragon Ball, Naruto, and recent viral sensation Gachiakuta. Moderated by LeAlec Murray, award-winning co-host of The Anime Effect: A Crunchyroll Podcast, and joined by beloved voice actors Zeno Robinson and Kenneisha Thompson, this panel will explore the evolution of Black anime fandom, how Black creatives have used anime to draw inspiration for their art, and how anime has shaped pop culture in Black America.
Panelists: Zeno Robinson, Kenneisha Thompson
Moderated by: LeAlec Murray
DC as a Creative Capital — Pathways to Production and Power
Sponsored by Motion Picture Association
Friday, May 29 | 10:30 am – 11:45 am
Miami Beach Convention Center, Screening Room 1
Passholders Only
Washington, DC is more than the nation’s capital; it sits at the heart of the largest concentration of Black wealth in the country — the DMV region (District of Columbia, Maryland, and Northern Virginia). That economic power, combined with cultural influence and institutional infrastructure, uniquely positions the region as the next creative culture capital.
This session will examine how regional markets leverage policy, tax incentives, workforce development, and public-private collaboration to build sustainable creative economies that expand access and opportunity for Black storytellers. Rather than focusing solely on inspiration, the discussion centers on implementation: how cities compete for production, how workforce pipelines are intentionally built, and how industry leaders identify and invest in emerging creative hubs.
Panelists: LaToya Foster (Director, DC Office of Cable Television, Film, Music, and Entertainment (OCTFME)), Priscilla Clarke (President and CEO, Clarke PR Global, LLC), Cameron Lawson (Founder, Allegory Productions and “The Opening Scene” Podcast), Richie Skye (Digital Brand Influencer – Bravo TV, OWN, Warner Bros. Discovery, YouTube and more)
Moderated by: John Gibson (Vice President, Public Affairs and Industry Relations, Motion Picture Association)
Vertical Money: A Distributor’s Truth About the Microdrama Game
Sponsored by Hartbeat | Codeblack
Friday, May 29 | 1:15 pm – 2:30 pm
New World Center – Truist Pavilion
Passholders Only
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, DuBose and Peters offer 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: Lavenna Peters (Founder, Ceeit), James DuBose (Head of Platforms, Hartbeat) (moderator)
“From Stage to Screen: Aleshea Harris on Directing Is God Is”
Sponsored by Amazon MGM Studios
Friday, May 29 | 1:15 pm – 2:30 pm
Miami Beach Convention Center, Screening Room 1
Passholders Only
Join award-winning playwright and first-time feature director Aleshea Harris as she sits down for an intimate conversation about bringing her acclaimed play Is God Is to the screen. Harris will share the creative challenges and revelations of her directorial debut, exploring how she translated the raw, mythic energy of her Obie Award-winning stage work into a cinematic experience. From preserving theatrical boldness to discovering new visual storytelling possibilities, Harris will offer candid insight into the art of theater-to-screen adaptation—and what it means to carry a singular artistic voice into an entirely new medium.
Panelist: Aleshea Harris
Moderator: Shar Jossell, Journalist
Netflix’s Celebration of Black Television
Sponsored by Netflix
Netflix will host a special Celebration of Black Television panel spotlighting the creative excellence of storytellers on and off the screen. Featuring powerhouse voices from Netflix’s upcoming 2026 slate, the conversation will explore the craft, culture, and community shaping a new era of Black television from writers’ rooms and directors’ chairs to unforgettable on-screen performances.
Panelists: Michelle Buteau (Survival of the Thickest, EP and Lead Actress), Courtney Kemp (Nemesis, EP + Showrunner), Mario Van Peebles (Nemesis, Director), Tani Marole (Nemesis, EP), Crystle Stewart (Tyler Perry’s Beauty in Black, Actress), Taylor Polidore Williams (Tyler Perry’s Beauty in Black, Actress), Debbie Allen (A Different World, EP, Director, Actress), Felicia Pride (A Different World, Showrunner, EP, Writer), Maleah Joi Moon (A Different World, Actress)
Moderated by: Nina Parker
BOB Talks: Inspiring Stories, Black-Owned Brands
Sponsored by Walmart
Friday, May 29 | 4:00 pm – 5:15 pm
New World Center – Truist Pavilion
Passholders Only
BOB Talks, short for Black Owned Brands, is a signature live conversation series spotlighting innovative founders and dynamic brands at the intersection of entrepreneurship, culture, and storytelling. It brings together influential voices, creatives, and a highly engaged audience for candid conversations on the realities of building a business- from navigating challenges to achieving success. The series offers practical insights and inspiration for the next wave of entrepreneurs. This structured panel will feature Rod Johnson, Chief Values Officer of BLK & Bold, Arsha Jones, Chief Executive Officer and founder of Capital City Mambo Sauce, and Desiree Rogers, Chief Executive Officer of Black Opal Beauty. Moderated by Senior Director, Emerging Brands at Walmart, Dee Charlemagne.
Panelists: Rod Johnson, Arsha Jones, Desiree Rogers
Moderated by: Dee Charlemagne, Senior Director, Emerging Brands, Walmart
Living Fully, Leading Forward: Taye Diggs on Longevity, Resilience, and Purpose
Sponsored by AARP
Join us for an intimate fireside chat with acclaimed actor Taye Diggs as he reflects on career longevity, financial planning, and building lasting success in the entertainment industry. From his breakout film debut in How Stella Got Her Groove Back opposite Angela Bassett to navigating decades in Hollywood, Diggs shares firsthand insights on managing career transitions, finances, and personal health. This candid conversation explores what it takes to stay relevant, financially secure, and thrive over the long term—offering valuable, cross-generational lessons for creatives and professionals alike.
Featuring: Taye Diggs
Moderated by: Rocsi Diaz
10 Years of Collecting and Preserving Black Film at NMAAHC
Sponsored by the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Friday, May 29 | 6:45 pm – 8:00 pm
New World Center – Truist Pavilion
Passholders Only
This panel discusses the continued importance of seeing Black people in moving images and the role museums play in safekeeping stories of Black history and culture. As the museum approaches its 10-year anniversary, the panelists highlight the efforts of the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) over the years to collect, digitize, and preserve the beauty of Black life as captured on film, video, and sound.
Panelists: LaCharles Ward, Ph.D., Supervisory Curator of Photography and Film and Director of the Earl W. and Amanda Stafford Center for African American Media Arts, National Museum of African American History and Culture; Ina Archer, Media Conservation and Digitization Specialist, National Museum of African American History and Culture, Terri Francis, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Cinematic Arts, University of Miami
Storyteller Unleashed: The Creative Powerhouse Behind Your Favorite Amazon MGM Originals
Sponsored by Amazon MGM Studios
Saturday, May 30 | 11:00 am – 12:15 pm
New World Center – Truist Pavilion
Passholders Only
Join us for an engaging conversation with accomplished showrunner and producer Ben Watkins, who brings Amazon MGM Studios Original titles like CROSS and upcoming biopic series THE GREATEST to life. This candid discussion will offer a behind-the-scenes look at the decision-making, problem-solving, and creative collaboration that defines successful television and film production. Ben will share specific examples from his work on Amazon MGM Studios Originals, discussing triumphs, lessons learned, and what’s to come for Prime Video customers.
Moderated by: Amanda Baker-Lane – Global Head of Customer Inclusion, Amazon MGM Studios and Prime Video
Panelist: Ben Watkins
The Final Game: Inside the Legacy of All American
Sponsored by Warner Bros. Television
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: Trey Mangum (Moderator), Nkechi Okoro Carroll (Executive Producer), Michael Evans Behling, Greta Onieogou, Bre-Z, Kareem Grimes, Taye Diggs, and special guest.
In the Director’s Chair: The Making of GOAT with Tyree Dillihay
Sponsored by Sony Pictures Entertainment
Saturday, May 30 | 1:30 pm – 2:45 pm
New World Center – Truist Pavilion
Passholders Only
In this inspiring conversation, director Tyree Dillihay reflects on his 7.5 year journey to bring his directorial debut, GOAT, to life at Sony Pictures Animation. Produced by four-time NBA champion Stephen Curry, Michelle Raimo Kouyate, Rodney Rothman, Adam Rosenberg, and Erick Peyton, the animated film features a standout voice cast including Caleb McLaughlin and Gabrielle Union and 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.
Panelist: Tyree Dillihay (Director, GOAT)
Moderated by: Jon Gist, Vice President, Global Intersectional Marketing, Sony Pictures Entertainment
AI x XR Storytelling Showcase
The AI x 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
Iyanla Vanzant: Behind The Inside Fix. Moderated by CNN’s Abby Phillip
Sponsored by OWN
Saturday, May 30 | 4:00 pm – 5:15 pm
New World Center – Truist Pavilion
Passholders Only
A soul-stirring fireside chat featuring Iyanla Vanzant, moderated by CNN’s 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)