The 30th anniversary of the American Black Film Festival is bringing even more star power to Miami Beach later this month, with newly announced conversations, screenings and immersive experiences featuring some of Black entertainment’s biggest names.
Organizers this week unveiled an expanded slate of programming for the festival’s 2026 “Homecoming” celebration, including appearances from Debbie Allen, Courtney Kemp, Mario Van Peebles and Michelle Buteau.
The festival returns to Miami Beach May 27-31 with events taking place at the New World Center, Miami Beach Convention Center and O Cinema.
One of the biggest additions to the lineup is Netflix’s “Celebration of Black Television” panel on May 29, which will spotlight several highly anticipated projects and the creatives behind them. Moderated by Nina Parker, the conversation will feature Allen, showrunner Felicia Pride and actress Maleah Joi Moon discussing the upcoming sequel to A Different World.
The panel will also include Kemp, Van Peebles and Tani Marole discussing Netflix’s upcoming series Nemesis, while Buteau and showrunner Amy Aniobi will speak on the continued success of Survival of the Thickest. Cast members from Beauty in Black, including Crystle Stewart and Taylor Polidore Williams, are also scheduled to appear.
ABFF is also leaning heavily into conversations around storytelling, preservation and cultural impact this year.
A May 29 panel hosted by the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture will celebrate 10 years of collecting and preserving Black film and media. The discussion will explore the importance of safeguarding Black stories through film, video and sound archives, with panelists including curator Dr. LaCharles Ward, media conservation specialist Ina Archer and University of Miami professor Dr. Terri Francis.
Another newly announced conversation, “From Story to Impact,” sponsored by GLAAD, will focus on how Black queer storytelling in film and television can help challenge HIV stigma and shape cultural conversations around identity, allyship and care.
Television fans will also get a first look at several upcoming and returning series.
CBS will host an immersive “High Tea, Beyond the Gates” experience centered around the daytime drama Beyond the Gates. The event will feature actor Clifton Davis, actress Daphnée Duplaix and executive producer Sheila Ducksworth discussing the cultural significance of multi-generational Black storytelling in daytime television.
Meanwhile, STARZ is bringing Power Book III: Raising Kanan to the festival with a preview event ahead of the show’s fifth and final season. Stars Mekai Curtis and London Brown are expected to appear for a moderated discussion and exclusive clips screening before the season premieres June 12.
Amazon MGM Studios will also host two featured conversations during the festival. One centers on showrunner Ben Watkins and the making of series including Cross and the upcoming project The Greatest. Another will feature playwright and filmmaker Aleshea Harris discussing her transition from stage to screen with her directorial debut, Is God Is.
Outside of panels and screenings, ABFF is expanding its lifestyle and experiential programming throughout the week.
Ally Financial will host the Ally Cinematic Lounge, an interactive space focused on personal legacy and financial wellness. Walmart is bringing its Beauty Scene activation featuring textured haircare brand The Doux, while the Smithsonian’s “Welcome Home” activation will recreate a living room-inspired gathering space centered on Black storytelling and history.
Luxury automaker Lexus is also joining the festivities with culinary and nightlife activations, including a custom pizza experience and a late-night photo studio installation at M2 Miami.
ABFF’s film lineup continues to grow as well. Among the newly announced screenings is the world premiere of Thought She Was The One, directed by T.I.. The film stars T.I., Terrence J, DomiNque Perry and KaMillion and follows a group of friends whose annual getaway is disrupted by unexpected revelations.
“This year’s lineup brings together storytellers, creators, athletes, executives, and cultural voices who are shaping conversations across entertainment and beyond,” Nicole Friday, president of NICE CROWD, said in a statement. “From honoring legacy to spotlighting what’s next, the programming reflects the energy, influence, and creative community that has always been at the heart of ABFF.”
More programming announcements are expected in the coming weeks. Additional information can be found at ABFF’s official website.
This is a Hy-Lo News Staff Report.
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