After more than two decades in Miami, the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is officially moving to Los Angeles for its 31st edition in 2027. The annual event, which has long served as a platform for Black filmmakers, actors, and storytellers, will take place from May 20–23, 2027, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the festival. The move represents one of the biggest shifts in ABFF’s history. Since establishing its home in Miami in 2003, the festival has become a key destination for emerging talent and industry leaders. 

The festival’s relocation comes with several new initiatives aimed at expanding opportunities for creators.

Why the American Black Film Festival is moving to Los Angeles in 2027

 Variety has revealed that The American Black Film Festival 2027 will take place across several iconic Los Angeles locations. Film screenings are scheduled to be held at AMC The Grove, while marquee events will be hosted at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. The SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills will serve as the festival’s industry hub, and the Original Farmers Market will host community activations and special experiences.

Explaining the decision, ABFF founder and NICE CROWD CEO Jeff Friday said the festival’s mission has always been centered on creating access and opportunities for emerging voices, as per Variety. He noted that the move reflects the organization’s commitment to creating greater opportunities for the next generation of storytellers while continuing to grow the festival’s impact.

Nicole Friday, President of NICE CROWD, echoed those sentiments, emphasizing that the festival’s strong sense of community will remain at the heart of the event despite the location change. According to her, the goal is to create even more opportunities for filmmakers, audiences, industry leaders, and partners to connect while preserving the spirit that has defined ABFF for years.

Alongside a new city, attendees can also expect several additions to the festival lineup.

New programs and submission categories announced for ABFF 2027

The 2027 edition will introduce several new initiatives, including ABFF First Look: The Studio Showcase, a program that provides studios, independent filmmakers, and streaming platforms with a platform to present upcoming projects. Another new addition is ABFF Sports, which will explore the growing relationship between sports, media, and entertainment. As major festivals continue to highlight diverse voices and ambitious new projects, similar to the films featured on Cannes 2026’s global stage, ABFF is expanding its platform for storytellers and industry talent alike.

ABFF is also launching Crossroads, a non-competitive section featuring narrative and documentary films that explore themes of identity, culture, community, resilience, and belonging. Unlike several of the festival’s competitive categories, Crossroads will be open to filmmakers from all backgrounds.

Meanwhile, submissions for ABFF 2027 are officially open across multiple categories, including U.S. Narrative Feature, International Narrative Feature, Documentary Feature, Episodic Series, and the ABFF 9:16 Microdrama Project. The prestigious HBO Short Film Award, now entering its 30th year, will return as an Academy Award-qualifying competition, with submission details expected to be announced at a later date. For ABFF, the move to Los Angeles is more than a change of scenery.

It signals a strategic step toward strengthening connections between emerging talent and the entertainment industry’s largest players while continuing the festival’s long-standing mission of celebrating Black storytelling on a global stage.

What do you think about ABFF leaving Miami for Los Angeles after 24 years? Let us know in the comments.