The 2024 American Black Film Festival is officially underway in Miami Beach, Florida. This edition marks the festival’s 28th anniversary of celebrating Black brilliance in film and television. Music also plays a role in the annual event, and the art form will be showcased in various ways throughout this year’s ABFF.
From independent films with music-related themes and documentaries about legendary artists to exclusive brand activations and swanky parties, music will be heard and seen all over Miami Beach this week. SoulBounce will be on the scene with Cadillac, a presenting sponsor of ABFF, soaking up all of the sun, fun, cinema and sounds. If you’re attending ABFF and love music as much as we do, we want to make sure that you don’t miss a beat with our Music Lover’s Guide To The 2024 American Black Film Festival. View the guide highlighting our picks below, and get ready to get your groove on in Miami.
Wednesday, June 12
Voices Of Culture: 1 Up screening (USA Premiere)
5:00 pm
Miami Beach Convention Center - Screening Room 2
1901 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139
In this short film out of the UK, a man leaves his cherished record collection behind for his son who seeks guidance and connection from the vinyl records after his death.
Thursday, June 13
Narrative Feature: He Looked Like A Postcard screening (World Premiere)
10:30 am
Miami Beach Convention Center - Screening Room 2
1901 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Poet jessica Care moore writes, co-produces and stars in a film about a poet and single mother who returns home to Detroit and unexpectedly finds love. The movie co-stars Tobias Truvillion and Brownstone’s Nicci Gilbert.
Cadillac Lounge
11:00 am-8:00 pm
Cadillac Lounge at The Fillmore Miami Beach
1700 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139
For their 14th year as an ABFF partner, Cadillac highlights the relationship between movies and music in the Cadillac Lounge at the newly renovated venue The Fillmore Miami Beach. Attendees can enjoy conversations with cultural tastemakers, performances by contemporary R&B artists, refreshments sourced from Black-owned businesses and the opportunity to relax, relate and release. *RSVPs are closed.
- Advertisement -HOORAE House @ABFF Lounge
12:00-4:00 pm
HOORAE House at The Betsy Hotel
1440 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139
ABFF’s 2024 Creative Director Issa Rae brings the HOORAE House Lounge to Miami Beach with a space for creatives to connect and kick back at the festival. Enjoy a lounge atmosphere with happy hour vibes and a Raedio music experience. Operating Thursday through Saturday, access to HOORAE House is free with RSVP on Eventbrite.
- Advertisement -The Art Of Collecting: A Journey Into Black Art, presented by Cadillac
1:00-2:00 pm
Cadillac Lounge at The Fillmore Miami Beach
1700 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Enjoy a conversation about collecting Black art between Art Melanated founders Sol Aponte and Jennia Fredrique Aponte, whose stunning Stevie Wonder art exhibit recently wrapped in Atlanta, and Dawn Limerick, founder and president of The Greenwood Standard. *RSVPs are closed.
- Advertisement -Documentary Feature: Who In The Hell Is Regina Jones? screening (World Premiere)
1:15 pm
O Cinema South Beach
1130 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, FL 33139
This documentary profiles unsung Black music media pioneer Regina Jones, publisher of SOUL Newspaper.
- Advertisement -Cadillac Presents: Music In Motion featuring Lucky Daye
6:00-7:15 pm
Cadillac Lounge at The Fillmore Miami Beach
1700 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Experience GRAMMY Award-winning R&B singer Lucky Daye live in concert during an intimate performance in the Cadillac Lounge. *RSVPs are closed.
- Advertisement -Find Your People Mixer
6:00-8:00 pm
HOORAE House at The Betsy Hotel
1440 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Take a break from the hustle and bustle of ABFF and the Miami heat to mix and mingle with other creatives at the HOORAE House.
- Advertisement -He Looked Like A Postcard Official Film After Party
6:00 pm
N’Namdi Contemporary
6505 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami, FL 33138
Celebrate the world premiere of He Looked Like A Postcard with the film’s stars jessica Care moore and Tobias Truvillion with DJ sets by Talib Kweli, Drake Phifer, J Sicka and DJ Spivey.
- Advertisement -Spotlight Screening: Ol’ Dirty Bastard: A Tale Of Two Dirtys, courtesy of A&E Networks
7:00-9:00 pm
Miami Beach Convention Center - Screening Room 1
1901 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Take a deep dive into the life and times of Wu-Tang Clan founding member Ol’ Dirty Bastard and the man behind the persona in this documentary. A panel discussion including ODB’s widow Icelene Jones and son Bar-Sun Jones aka YDB will follow.
- Advertisement -UNCENSORED Live w/Trina, presented by TV One
8:15-9:30 pm
New World Center - Performance Hall
500 17th Street, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Miami’s own “Diamond Princess” Trina plans to get real and raw during a live version of TV One’s popular UNCENSORED series moderated by Chris Spencer.
Narrative Feature: Black Heat screening (World Premiere)
8:20 pm
Miami Beach Convention Center - Screening Room 2
1901 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Jason Mitchell stars alongside rappers Tabatha “DreamDoll” Robinson and NLE Choppa in this action-packed drama about the parents of a teen girl attempting to rescue her from a drug dealer/pimp.
The Legendary White Party
10:00 pm-2:00 am
M2 Miami
1235 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Break out your all-white outfits for ABFF’s annual kickoff party. Terrence J will host while DJ VYBZ provides the soundscapes for the chic affair. The event was rescheduled from Wednesday, June 12th due to inclement weather. Any remaining tickets may be purchased on Eventbrite.
Friday, June 14
Narrative Feature: The Waterboyz screening (World Premiere)
10:30 am
Miami Beach Convention Center - Screening Room 2
1901 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Former Migos member Quavo co-stars with Akil McDowell, La La Anthony, Omar Dorsey and Rockmond Dunbar in this Atlanta-based crime drama.
Strong Black Excellence Brunch
11:30 am
Chotto Matte
1666 Lenox Avenue #1664, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Netflix’s Strong Black Lead celebrates singer and actress Andra Day, star of Lee Daniels’ new film The Deliverance, at this exclusive brunch soiree. The streamer will preview the movie and their upcoming fall slate of programming. *Invitation only.
Cadillac Lounge
12:00 pm-8:00 pm
Cadillac Lounge at The Fillmore Miami Beach
1700 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139
For their 14th year as an ABFF partner, Cadillac highlights the relationship between movies and music in the Cadillac Lounge at the newly renovated venue The Fillmore Miami Beach. Attendees can enjoy conversations with cultural tastemakers, performances by contemporary R&B artists, refreshments sourced from Black-owned businesses and the opportunity to relax, relate and release. *RSVPs are closed.
HOORAE House @ABFF Lounge
12:00-4:00 pm
HOORAE House at The Betsy Hotel
1440 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139
ABFF’s 2024 Creative Director Issa Rae brings the HOORAE House Lounge to Miami Beach with a space for creatives to connect and kick back at the festival. Enjoy a lounge atmosphere with happy hour vibes and a Raedio music experience. Operating Thursday through Saturday, access to HOORAE House is free with RSVP on Eventbrite.
Narrative Feature: The Lost Holliday screening (World Premiere)
4:30 pm
Miami Beach Convention Center - Screening Room 2
1901 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Jussie Smollett directs, co-writes, co-produces and stars in this family drama, reuniting with his Empire co-star Vivica A. Fox.
Cadillac Presents: Music In Motion featuring KIRBY
6:00-7:15 pm
Cadillac Lounge at The Fillmore Miami Beach
1700 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Soulful R&B songstress KIRBY shuts down the Cadillac Lounge with a grand finale live performance. *RSVPs are closed.
HOORAE House @ABFF Power Exec Award: Cocktails + Honors
6:00-8:00 pm
HOORAE House at The Betsy Hotel
1440 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Movers and shakers are invited to attend HOORAE’s Power Exec Awards honoring Black female bosses in entertainment and media.
Where The Black People At?! Miami, sponsored by @Threads
10:30 pm-2:00 am
HOORAE House at The Betsy Hotel
1440 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Join Issa Rae and a few of her famous friends at the ABFF installment of the Where The Black People At?! dance party. The event is free to attend with RSVP on Eventbrite.
Saturday, June 15
HOORAE House @ABFF Lounge
12:00-4:00 pm
HOORAE House at The Betsy Hotel
1440 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139
ABFF’s 2024 Creative Director Issa Rae brings the HOORAE House Lounge to Miami Beach with a space for creatives to connect and kick back at the festival. Enjoy a lounge atmosphere with happy hour vibes and a Raedio music experience. Operating Thursday through Saturday, access to HOORAE House is free with RSVP on Eventbrite.
Music For Media: Secrets Of A Successful Collaboration, presented by New World Symphony
3:00-4:15 pm
New World Center - Truist Pavilion
500 17th Street, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Get to know Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Michael Abels as he discusses his history and work with Jordan Peele and LucasFilm during this session.
Come Thru Mixer
3:30-5:30 pm
HOORAE House at The Betsy Hotel
1440 Ocean Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Wind down at the Come Thru Mixer as HOORAE House winds down its exciting ABFF activation.
Documentary Feature: Luther: Never Too Much screening
7:30 pm
Miami Beach Convention Center - Screening Room 2
1901 Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, FL 33139
Director Dawn Potter screens her in-depth documentary about the legendary singer Luther Vandross.
Closing Night: Yacht Gala
10:00 pm-2:00 am
Seafair Miami
100 Chopin Place, Miami, FL 33131
Set sail on the luxurious Seafair yacht and toast to another successful American Black Film Festival. Party the night away to DJ Don P on the decks. *This event is sold out.
For the complete schedule of screenings, discussions and official events, visit the American Black Film Festival website.
