LOS ANGELES, CA (May 4, 2026)<\/strong> – The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) today announced the first cohort of official selections for the ABFF 9:16 Microdrama Project Showcase<\/strong>, a new digital-first initiative designed to identify, showcase, and amplify outstanding vertical microdrama series. A second cohort of selections will be announced this fall.<\/p>\n The ABFF 9:16 Microdrama Project Showcase serves as the Festival’s official platform for discovering and elevating emerging voices in vertical storytelling. Through curated selection and digital-first exhibition, the initiative connects creators with global audiences and meaningful industry visibility, positioning them at the forefront of the rapidly expanding vertical content ecosystem.<\/p>\n This inaugural cohort, powered by Hartbeat, will premiere on the CODEBLACK app during the 2026 American Black Film Festival, offering the festival audience exclusive access to a dynamic slate of short-form, mobile-first series.<\/p>\n “We’re seeing a fundamental shift in how stories are being created and consumed, and vertical microdrama sits right at the center of that evolution,” said Jeff Friday, Cofounder & CEO of NICE CROWD and Founder of ABFF<\/strong>. “What’s exciting about this cohort is not just the creativity, but the intentionality, these are filmmakers who understand pacing, audience behavior, and the intimacy of the mobile screen. This initiative is about meeting that moment, giving these creators a global stage, and ensuring that as this format scales, creators of color are not just participating, but leading.”<\/p>\n The first cohort of official selections includes:<\/p>\n False Profit$<\/em><\/strong> The King, The Affair and The Son Heir<\/em><\/strong> Faceplant<\/em><\/strong> Blacked Out<\/em><\/strong> Thick & Uninterrupted<\/em><\/strong> Mechanical Pencil<\/em><\/strong> Crimson Mirage<\/em><\/strong> A DIFFERENT KIND OF FOREVER<\/em><\/strong> ABFF sponsors and partners to date are Warner Bros. Discovery and HBO®<\/sup> (Founding), Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) (Host), Ally Financial, Amazon MGM Studios, Comcast NBCUniversal, Walmart (Presenting), City of Miami Beach, American Airlines (Major), Netflix, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture (Official), CBS, with the support of the Miami Beach Visitor And Convention Authority, Hartbeat, AARP, L’Or\u00e9al Groupe, STARZ, ESPN (Supporting), Motion Picture Association, Uber (Contributing), Nielsen, Fulton Films GA, The Black Leadership AIDS Crisis Coalition (BLACC) powered by AHF, William Morris Endeavor (Associate), Variety, LA Times, Getty Images (Media).<\/p>\n Additional details and programming announcements will be released in the coming weeks. For updates, visit www.nicecrowd.com<\/a><\/strong> and follow @ABFF<\/strong> on Twitter and @AmericanBlackFilmFestival<\/strong> on Instagram and Facebook.<\/p>\n To receive ABFF notifications by email, sign up HERE<\/a>!<\/p>\n About the American Black Film Festival (ABFF)<\/strong> About NICE CROWD<\/strong> More information about the American Black Film Festival (ABFF): https:\/\/www.abff.com\/miami\/<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Download assets HERE<\/a> Media Contacts:<\/strong> EBONY<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\nLogline: When America’s youngest Black CEO is framed and sentenced to 19 years for a multi-million dollar Ponzi scheme he didn’t orchestrate, Malik Shepard transforms his prison time into a masterclass in financial forensics and systemic corruption — then wages a surgical war to dismantle the powerful faith-based empire that destroyed him.
\nUnited States | 11m
\nDirector: Jai Harris
\nWriter: Jai Harris
\nProducers: Serene Samuel, Darion Taylor, Michael Sanders, Charles Smith, Ephren Taylor, Socorro Grandville, Pat Taylor
\nCast: Malik Taylor
\nTrailer: https:\/\/youtu.be\/MJSlsNbxDhs?si=ZukAKKHqnV87tRl7<\/a><\/p>\n
\nLogline: King Jonga’s celebrated heir carries a secret that could destroy a kingdom — written in blood, hidden in plain sight, and closing in with every stolen glance between his wife and his most trusted advisor.
\nSouth Africa | 9m
\nDirector: Star Kganki Maphahlele
\nWriter: Anathi Rubela & Mamello Makhetha
\nProducers: Flavia Motsisi
\nCast: Othembele Nomgca, Khanyi Nokwe, Lebogang Mphahlele, Phathiswa Tonono, Wamke Cele, Gcina Mdikane<\/p>\n
\nLogline: A desperate couple facing foreclosure discovers a mask that lets them hijack other people’s bodies, but each reckless use pulls them deeper into a dangerous game with consequences they can’t control.
\nUnited States | 13m
\nDirector: Jean-Pierre Chapoteau
\nWriter: Jean-Pierre Chapoteau
\nProducers: Jean-Pierre Chapoteau, Jennifer Pessima, La’Shay Painter
\nCast: Kennie Nicole, Bren Suttle<\/p>\n
\nLogline: After a blackout night she can’t remember, Jordan wakes up in an interrogation to learn her boyfriend is missing, forcing her to piece together the truth before she becomes the prime suspect.
\nUnited States | 13m
\nDirector: Caleb Davis
\nWriter: Roni Davis
\nProducers: Jade Martin
\nCast: Verina Banks, Daniel Augustin
\nTrailer: https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/DWWvIMPEvwk\/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==<\/a><\/p>\n
\nLogline: A bold, curvy woman unapologetically embraces her confidence, desire, and power while navigating love and modern relationships in a world that constantly expects her to shrink.
\nUnited States, Nigeria | 12m
\nDirector: Dominic Aikabeli
\nWriter: Dominic Aikabeli, Taj\u00e9 Prest
\nProducers: Taj\u00e9 Prest
\nCast: Taj\u00e9 Prest, Maxwell Nwokoye, Godfrey Okorafor, Kolawole Agboola, Frederick Honest
\nTrailer: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=jCvIa7Lw_qM&list=PLb98sxlWomZOI3-tspB4eByvtLGPGmmwQ<\/a><\/p>\n
\nLogline: A group of detention regulars turns their punishment into a creative playground, where desk beats, chaos, and imagination evolve into something bigger than themselves.
\nUnited States | 11m
\nDirectors: Palmer Williams III, Amari K. Jones
\nWriters: Amari K. Jones, Myracle Sims, Justen Ross, JonAvery Worrell, Hurrikane, Dasan Frazier, Michael Bahsil, Destiny Knox, Kaylan Mary
\nProducers: Amari K. Jones
\nCast: Justen Ross, Destiny Knox, Brandon Grimes, Dasan Frazier, JonAvery Worrell, Amari K. Jones, Michael Bahsil, Hurrikane, C Squared, Myracle Sims, Kaylan Mary, Skootah Pollock<\/p>\n
\nLogline: When a supernatural drug harvests human energy for an ancient operation, a detective searching for his missing sister and the scientist who unknowingly built the machine must join forces to dismantle the network before it swallows the city whole.
\nUnited States | 11m
\nDirector: Courtney Arlett
\nWriter: Courtney Arlett
\nProducers: Courtney Arlett, Yolanda Haskett, Mario Haskett, Marc Thevenin, Ron Toussaint, Phedra Syndelle, Jasmine Sargent, D\u00ef Thomas
\nCast: Jason Louder; Katrina Riveria; Chantal Maurice; Zeus Luby; Karon Joseph Riley; Phedra Syndelle<\/p>\n
\nLogline: In LA’s interconnected dating scene, situationships, near misses, and messy sparks collide\u2026 proving there are a million ways this can go, and almost none of them are forever.
\nUnited States | 20m
\nDirector: Alexis Rivera
\nWriter: Alexis Rivera
\nProducers: Alexis Rivera, Jamal Averett & Justin Jemerson
\nCast: Akilah Walker, Maurice Hardwick, Juliah Cheree Taylor, Charles Grant-DeBose, Renae Anderson, Prince Odimegwu, Shakira Ja’nai Paye, Jemar Michael, Zimzon Zion, Justin Williams, Danika Edwards, Marqi Morgan, Alexis Rivera, POPE.
\nTrailer: https:\/\/vimeo.com\/1099316920?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci<\/a><\/p>\n
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\nFounded in 1997 by Jeff Friday, the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is a premier destination for film and television storytelling. Widely regarded as a key pipeline for emerging talent, ABFF has played a pivotal role in launching the careers of many of today’s most acclaimed filmmakers, actors, and creative voices. Each year, the festival brings together artists, industry leaders, and audiences from around the world for a five-day program of screenings, panels, masterclasses, and networking opportunities. The festival’s 30th anniversary edition will take place May 27\u201331, 2026, in Miami Beach.<\/p>\n
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\nNICE CROWD is a pioneering live events company operating at the intersection of culture, entertainment, and tourism. Founded by Nicole and Jeff Friday, the company produces high-impact festivals, awards shows, and destination experiences in major U.S. cities and global markets. Guided by its philosophy, The Power of Gathering<\/em>, NICE CROWD believes that when people come together, creativity flourishes, new voices are amplified, and meaningful connections are made. The company harnesses that energy to deliver culturally relevant experiences while generating measurable economic impact for its partners. Through expertise in event production, audience engagement, and strategic partnerships, NICE CROWD creates platforms that celebrate groundbreaking artists and innovators while connecting brands, media, and audiences in meaningful ways. www.nicecrowd.com<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n
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\n(Filmmaker Bios, Writer Headshots, Director Headshots, Movie Posters, Film Stills)<\/strong><\/p>\n
\nabff@ledecompany.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"