The American Black Film Festival is heading back to Los Angeles for the first time since 2010 to celebrate its 31st year – platforming budding filmmakers and building lasting community.

With its offices located in the City of Angels, newly appointed Festival Director Raeshon Morris said returning to L.A. just made sense. The festival will take place May 20-23, 2027, and will be hosted at iconic venues across the city, including The Grove’s AMC and the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, with additional locations to be announced.

“You really make a statement when you’re coming to Los Angeles. It’s a huge city with a lot of noise,” Morris said. “When you think about The Grove and all the people and the connectivity and the food and activities, it kind of speaks to the same ethos that we live by – connecting people. It just made sense.”

Peacock’s Strung: From Script to Screen Panel during Day 2 of the 2026 American Black Film Festival at the New World Center in Miami Beach, FL on May 28, 2026Credit: Photo by Aaron J. Thornton / ABFF

Morris is entering his sixth year working for ABFF, starting as founder Jeff Friday’s assistant. Throughout his time working alongside Friday, Morris said he found himself inspired and is looking forward to carrying on ABFF’s mission of creating space for new voices in the film industry.

Friday co-founded ABFF with his wife, Nicole Friday. The pair use their experience in business and passion for the arts to educate, connect and champion creators, executives, talent and audiences.

As part of this effort, ABFF is introducing Crossroads, a new noncompetitive film section that welcomes filmmakers of all backgrounds. This new addition to the festival is an exciting one, Morris said, and Los Angeles was the ideal city to launch the section because of the immense diversity of the area.

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Credit: Photo by Kelvin Bulluck / Nice Crowd

“We always want everyone’s story to be told,” Morris said. “This is our opportunity to get other perspectives that still align with the ABFF vision about community, connection and intimacy, but they aren’t necessarily of African descent.”

For Morris, ABFF brings many positive and lasting memories, with one special moment coming from a volunteer rather than a participant. A young woman traveled from her home in Africa to work at the festival. After returning home from the five-day experience, she sent a video to ABFF detailing how the week changed her life.

“So many of our volunteers are from Trinidad and come from Jamaica and random parts of the States that you don’t think about every day to kind of support this one vision and this one story,” Morris said. “I think the community, I would say, is number one.”

Another can’t-miss in Morris’ book is hearing actress and director Regina King speak. King, the festival’s ambassador, has been a long-time champion of ABFF. Morris described her presence as “powerful,” saying there is not a dry eye in the theater when King “speaks life” into the young filmmakers and artists.

Credit: Photo by Kelvin Bulluck / Nice Crowd

Submissions for the American Black Film Festival are now open. Morris advises filmmakers considering the application to, as Nike says, “Just do it.” For many who participate, Morris said it’s their first film — often using limited resources and friends to tell impactful stories.

Perspective and passion can’t be bought, according to Morris, and ABFF welcomes films of all experience levels and budgets.

To Angelenos, Morris encourages the public to come out and experience the films firsthand, calling ABFF a local event where everyone from the community is welcome.

“It can be a lonely road,” Morris said of the industry. “We just want to make sure people understand that they have a story and it’s a safe space where they can exist.”

Submission Categories:

U.S. Narrative Feature – A competitive section showcasing feature-length narrative films directed or written by filmmakers of African descent working within the United States. Representing the cornerstone of ABFF’s commitment to discovery, the section highlights distinctive voices, original storytelling, and compelling artistic vision. Selected films compete for the Grand Jury Prize, Directing Award, and Performance Award. 

International Narrative Feature – A competitive section dedicated to feature-length narrative films from across the global Black diaspora. The section celebrates distinctive storytelling voices and cinematic perspectives from outside the United States. Selected films compete for the Grand Jury Prize for International Narrative Feature. 

Documentary Feature – A competitive section presenting feature-length documentaries directed by filmmakers of African descent. The section showcases nonfiction storytelling distinguished by cinematic craft, insight, and cultural relevance. Selected films compete for the Grand Jury Prize for Documentary Feature. 

Crossroads – New Section for 2027 – A non-competitive showcase of narrative and documentary features that explore identity, culture, community, resilience, and belonging through distinctive American experiences. Open to filmmakers of all backgrounds, Crossroads highlights work that aligns with ABFF’s cultural spirit while offering fresh perspectives and meaningful opportunities for connection. 

HBO® Short Film Award – Now in its 30th year, the HBO® Short Film Award remains a cornerstone of ABFF’s commitment to discovering and elevating emerging filmmakers. Each year, five finalists are selected to screen at the festival before a distinguished jury. As an Academy Award-qualifying award, the recipient of the HBO® Short Film Award becomes qualified for consideration in the Live Action Short Film category of the 100th Academy Awards®, subject to all Academy rules and requirements. Submissions for the HBO® Short Film Award will open at a later date, with additional details to be announced. 

Episodic Series – A competitive section showcasing episodic storytelling created by filmmakers of African descent. The section highlights compelling serialized narratives and innovative approaches to long-form storytelling. Selected works compete for the Grand Jury Prize for Episodic Series. 

Voices of Culture – Selection by invitation or internal curation only – A non-competitive showcase of short-form work by filmmakers of African descent whose films expand and enrich contemporary conversations around culture, identity, and community. Reflecting the breadth of the global Black experience, the section highlights distinctive voices across genres, forms, and storytelling traditions. 

The ABFF 9:16 Microdrama Project – A non-competitive showcase of original vertical microdrama series created by storytellers of African descent. Dedicated to celebrating emerging creators and new forms of mobile-first storytelling, the section highlights original serialized short-form content from creators working at the forefront of the medium. Selected projects demonstrate strong episodic momentum, emotional immediacy, and a clear command of serialized storytelling.