The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) has tapped two iconic figures from Black cinema to serve as official ambassadors for its 29th edition. Nia Long and Larenz Tate — the beloved stars of the 1997 cult classic Love Jones — will represent the festival when it returns to Miami Beach June 11–15, followed by a virtual segment streaming June 16–23 on ABFF PLAY.
As ABFF Ambassadors, Long and Tate will help promote the festival’s mission to elevate Black voices in film and television while empowering up-and-coming creatives of color. The duo will also reunite for a special event titled ABFF Remembers: Love Jones, an intimate conversation and musical tribute honoring the film that helped define a generation of Black romance on screen. The tribute will include behind-the-scenes reflections, shared memories, and live renditions of tracks from the movie’s iconic soundtrack.
Festival founders Jeff and Nicole Friday said the choice to name Long and Tate as this year’s ambassadors reflects their long-standing commitment to ABFF and their impact on the culture.
“We are thrilled to welcome Nia and Larenz as Ambassadors to the American Black Film Festival,” they said in a joint press statement. “Their work in Love Jones remains iconic, and they have long been trailblazers in the industry. Their contributions to ABFF’s mission have been immeasurable, dating back to the festival’s early days in Acapulco in the late ’90s. We are honored to count them as dear friends.”
Larenz Tate, who currently stars as Congressman Rashad Tate in Power Book II: Ghost on Starz, has continued to use his platform to support Black creatives through his production company, TateMen Entertainment. Known for landmark roles in Menace II Society, Dead Presidents, and Crash, Tate has remained an advocate for storytelling that reflects the diversity of the Black experience — both onscreen and behind the scenes.
Reflecting on his role as an ABFF ambassador, Tate shared why being part of the festival’s legacy matters to him.
“Me being an ambassador is an honor because I’m officially the guy to go out and promote and share all the good will that is happening in this time,” Tate shared with Hy-Lo News. “I love it because it’s Black folks, it’s people of color, who are celebrating one another.”
Nia Long, a four-time NAACP Award winner, is also keeping busy with major projects on the horizon. She’ll star as Katherine Jackson in Michael, the official Michael Jackson biopic releasing October 3, 2025. Her debut memoir is also expected later this year through Gallery Books.
Since its founding in 1997 by Jeff Friday, ABFF has grown into the leading film festival dedicated to showcasing Black storytelling and launching careers in the entertainment industry. The festival has helped spotlight the work of major filmmakers and actors at early stages of their careers and continues to be a vital platform for the next wave of talent.
This year’s sponsors include Warner Bros. Discovery and HBO® (Founding), Comcast NBCUniversal, Walmart, Ally, Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (Host), City of Miami Beach, Sony Pictures Entertainment, American Airlines, Getty Images, NYFA, Variety, and the LA Times.
For more information and to register for festival events, visit https://www.abff.com/miami/.
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