Nigerian and South African Filmmakers Dominate 2025 ABFF Line-Up

The 29th American Black Film Festival (ABFF), set to take place in Miami Beach from June 11–15, 2025, is spotlighting African storytelling with significant representation from Nigerian and South African filmmakers across multiple sections of the prestigious event.

Among the highlights, Nigerian filmmaker Princess Adenike co-directs the HBO Short Film finalist “A Beauty Supply in Queens” with Oluseyi Olatujoye. Olatujoye also competes for the 28th HBO Short Film Award, alongside Sam Henderson’s “ADO,” Luke Harris’s “ManBoobs,” and DeeDee Casimir’s “Last Hoorah at G-Baby’s.” The winner will receive a $10,000 prize, while runners-up will be awarded $5,000 each.

In the “Voices of Culture” program, Ifeanyi Ezieme represents Nigeria with “The Inconvenience Store,” sharing the category with works like Jordan Aaron Hall’s “Graduation Day,” Diamond Batiste’s “Don’t Hang Up,” Naturi Naughton-Lewis’s “333,” and Emmanuel Imani’s “Demons.”

Chim Onyebilanma’s “Treasure Hunt” is one of six films selected in the competitive narrative features section, joining Zoey Martinson’s “Fisherman,” Terry Dawson’s “The Rewrite,” J. Alphonse Nicholson’s “Freight: The Five Incarnations of Abel Green,” Aaron Williams’s “Deadly Visitor,” and Rachael Abigail Holder’s “Love, Brooklyn.”

Another Nigerian filmmaker, Marjan Mona Koffa, brings “Fufu and Soup” to the cultural voices strand, highlighting traditional African food and heritage.

South Africa is also well-represented through the “South African Stories” spotlight, featuring five independent shorts including Chris Djuma’s “Rear View,” Donna Sibande’s “Love Through the Lens,” and Kopedi Aphane’s “Breaking Free,” all of which explore themes of identity, healing, and resistance.

The festival’s lineup also includes the Black and Unlimited Fatherhood Project Directors’ Showcase, honoring Okema Moore’s “Laundry,” Ian Phillips’s “Reconciliation,” and Aji Bass’s “Freshman Again.” Each winner will receive $10,000 and mentorship from industry professionals.

Documentary selections include Fran Guijarro’s “Moses,” Godisamang Khunou’s “Black Women and Sex,” and Ian Mark Kimanje’s “Carnival, They Can’t Steal Our Joy.” In the series category, Jasmine Ogunjimi’s “Offbeat,” Tiffany Jackman’s “I Hate My Life,” and Justin Casselle’s “The Hype” are featured.

Special events include a Visionary Award conversation with Mara Brock Akil, who will discuss her Netflix series “Forever,” and a Netflix panel on “The Old Guard 2” featuring director Victoria Mahoney and actor KiKi Layne. Other appearances include Gabrielle Union, Ashanti, Blair Underwood, Chris Paul, and Jemele Hill.

The festival will also premiere new work from Jermaine Dupri and Tyler Perry Studios, alongside the “Because They’re Funny” comedy showcase hosted by D.C. Young Fly. One breakout comedian will earn representation from a major Hollywood agency.

ABFF ambassadors Nia Long and Larenz Tate will headline a special tribute event, “Remembering ‘Love Jones,’” on June 14. Digital engagement will be led by social media ambassadors Ama Qamata and Henrie Kwushue. The event concludes with a virtual extension on ABFF PLAY from June 16–24.

An Academy Award-qualifying festival for short films, ABFF continues to serve as a global launchpad for Black creatives and a hub for groundbreaking, diverse storytelling.