The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) has announced its 30th anniversary lineup, with Nigerian films and actors featured across its 2026 programme. The festival will hold from May 27 to 31 in Miami Beach, Florida.
Among the selections is Beyond the Rim—The Heart of D’Tigress, directed by Adesua Okosun, which will have its world premiere. The documentary follows Nigeria’s women’s basketball team and their run to becoming the first African side to reach an Olympic quarterfinal, featuring head coach Rena Wakama.
Nigerian actors Wale Ojo and Shaffy Bello also appear in Lights Out, a Cameroon production directed by Enah Johnscott. The film is part of the International Narrative Feature Competition, alongside titles such as Garden of Silences (Brazil/Italy), Seahorse (Canada), and Small Gods (U.K.).
The festival’s documentary slate includes Trespass and Beyond from the United States, screening alongside Beyond the Rim. In the Series Competition, projects such as AWOL, Takes A Village, Ti Blan, The Comic Shop, and Love Song represent U.S. creators.
The U.S. Narrative Feature Competition features Girl Dad, produced by Marsai Martin and Jamie Foxx, alongside Funny Feelings, Otra, Southside Kev, and Three Colors: Pan-African. The latter is a triptych exploring themes of liberation, unity, and prosperity through interconnected stories.
Out of competition, festival ambassador Malcolm D. Lee will open the event with Strung, a psychological thriller starring Chloe Bailey. Winners will be announced at the Best of ABFF Awards on May 30.
Now in its 30th year, ABFF continues to serve as a platform for stories about the Black experience, with the inclusion of Nigerian projects reflecting the country’s growing presence in international film circuits.
