The American Black Film Festival has named Atlanta one of several cities participating in an upcoming pop-up tour that will shine a spotlight on Black filmmakers and creatives.
Nice Crowd, the live events company behind the acclaimed festival, announced the launch of the ABFF Pop-Up Tour on Wednesday.
Scheduled to kick off in New York City on Oct. 25, the tour will feature award-winning independent film screenings and celebrity conversations. One of the most anticipated events, BOB Talks, will serve as a speaker series highlighting Black owned brands.
After its New York launch, the tour will travel to Atlanta, where it will be held at AMC Madison Yards on Nov. 8 and 9. Proceeding stops include Dallas (Nov. 15-16) and Los Angeles (Dec. 13-14).
According to ABFF officials, the cities were chosen for their thriving communities in Black arts and entertainment.
“The ABFF Pop-Up Tour is a natural evolution of that mission—a mobile cultural movement designed to expand opportunity and deepen connection,” said Jeff Friday, ABFF co-founder and CEO of Nice Crowd, in a Wednesday press release.
“By bringing the ABFF experience directly into local communities, we’re creating new spaces to discover talent, celebrate creativity, and unite through the power of film and shared culture.”
Ally Financial, an American bank holding company, will sponsor all four stops on the tour. Erica Hughes, senior director of Ally Marketing, states that the partnership is one of the company’s several initiatives towards supporting Black creators and artists.
“Ally honors the remarkable talent and creativity showcased at the American Black Film Festival Pop-Up Tour … elevating their voices, sharing their experiences, and celebrating the unique gifts they bring to our communities is a key piece of Ally’s mission to serve everyone as a financial ally,” she said in the release.
Founded in 1997 and held annually in Miami, the American Black Film Festival has garnered a reputation as one of the most premier film festivals for celebrating Black stories and serving as “a vital platform for emerging talent.” Previous hosts and participants include rapper Common, filmmaker Tyler Perry and actor/directors Robert Townsend and Denzel Washington.
The next festival is scheduled for June 2026, marking the event’s 30th anniversary.
