The Administration recommends retroactively authorizing the City Manager and City Clerk to execute a sponsorship agreement with the American Black Film Festival, in an amount not to exceed $200,000, as approved in the FY 21-22 budget.  

The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is an annual event dedicated to recognizing Black artists and showcasing quality film and television content by and about people of African descent. Dedicated to the belief that diverse artists deserve the same opportunities as their mainstream counterparts, ABFF founder Jeff Friday conceived the festival in 1997 as a vehicle to strengthen the black entertainment community by fostering resource sharing, education and artistic collaboration. 

For 19 years, the festival has taken place in Miami Beach and has become a cornerstone of diversity in the film industry, providing a platform for emerging Black artists – many of whom have become today’s most successful actors, producers, writers, directors and stand-up comedians, including Ryan Coogler (Black Panther), Will Packer (Girls Trip), Issa Rae (Insecure), Kevin Hart (Night School), Omari Hardwick (Power) and Steven Caple Jr. (Creed II). The ABFF is the preeminent pipeline for Black artists in front of and behind the camera, and has significantly expanded the range of talent working in the entertainment Industry.

As “the nation’s largest gathering of Black film and television enthusiasts” the ABFF attracts a broad audience of celebrity talent, emerging artists, upscale consumers and industry stakeholders to Miami Beach hotels, restaurants, attractions and businesses. Approximately 7,000 people travel to Miami Beach each year for the five (5) day event. The festival opens with the premiere of an upcoming Hollywood release followed by a full schedule of intriguing independent film screenings, master classes, panels, celebrity talks, live entertainment, and a variety of networking and hospitality events. With the support of the world’s leading entertainment, media and consumer product companies, the festival continues to lead the way promoting diversity in the motion picture and television industries.

ABFF is a property of ABFF Ventures LLC (ABFFV), a multifaceted entertainment company specializing in the production of live events and digital events focused on African American/Black culture and achievement.

ABFF requested a multi-year sponsorship agreement from the City to host three (3) consecutive American Black Film Festivals in Miami Beach. The 25th annual ABFF will take place November 3-7, 2021. The 26^th and 27^th annual festivals will take place in June 2022 and June 2023 respectively. The sponsorship requested  for $400,000 for fiscal year 21/22 (for the November 2021 and June 2022 festivals) and $200,000 for fiscal year 22/23 (for the June 2023 festival) and a  waiver of Special Event fees for each festival.

Evaluations of the ABFF have found that attendees come from all over the US, top cities are Atlanta, Philadelphia and statewide attendees from Georgia and New York. 90% of ABFF attendees are from the US, 9% are from Florida region/local and 1% are international, based on 2019 numbers. ABFF 2020 was originally set to run over five (5) days in Miami Beach in June 2020, but due to COVID-19, the festival was virtual  in August 2020. The August 2020 virtual festival  drew online viewers from more than 90 countries worldwide. It is expected that as a result, more international attendees will come to Miami Beach for future festivals.

Three-fourths of ABFF attendees stay in Miami Beach hotels with the remaining renting residences and/or with family/friends. A GMCVB survey found that the majority of attendees fly into Miami and use rideshare. Three-fourth come from to Greater Miami area for film business purposes and 1/2 of the remain come for vacation.

The November 2021 event budget is approximately $2 million.  Because ABFF has a wide range of industry-focused and consumer-facing programs ABFF has attracted a number of well-known and industry leading sponsors including, but not limited to: WarnerMedia, HBO, Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, Cadillac, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Netflix, Accenture, and VerizonMedia to assist with the funding of now international event. However, ABFF has a funding gap and proposes Miami Beach become an official Presenting Sponsor for three (3) and continue to witness the economic and social benefits ABFF has on the city.

ABFF, to date, has a 500 hotel room block at the Royal Palm Hotel and they are currently negotiating other hotel room blocks. Previously ABFF has had hotel room block at the Loews Miami Beach, The Betsy, National Hotel and the Albion but attendees have stayed in hotels throughout Miami Beach.

Each year, ABFF initiates an eight (8) month marketing and public relations campaign to support the festival and drive the estimated 5-7,000 attendees to Miami Beach.  See attached marketing report which includes coverage from 70-100 Black media outlets.

Based on this data and more, ABFF continues to deliver a positive, film industry stimulating, safe, responsible, engaging and event that showcases Miami Beach as a destination of choice for film festivals and more.

On May 21, 2021  discussed a motion, made by the City of Miami Beach Black Affairs Advisory Committee (BAAC), recommending the City financially support the American Black Film Festival (ABFF).  The item was referred to the Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee ("FERC").

During the July 16, 2021 FERC meeting, Commissioners discussed the BAAC motion and the ABFF proposal for funding.  After reassurance by the Administration that ABFF would activate in November 2021 and June 2022, the Commissioners agreed that the City should fund the events at some level but asked the Administration to do  more research and provide a recommendation.

During the July 23, 2021 FERC meeting, John Woodruff, Chief Financial Officer, presented the American Black Film Festival request during a FY 2021/2022 budget discussion. Commissioner Samuelian expressed his support for the funding for the American Black Film Festival in the amount of $100,000 for each event in FY 2021/2022. He requested for the community to be engaged in regard to public benefits and to hear from Jeffrey Friday (ABFF Chief Executive Officer). Mr. Friday, in attendance, provided some background on the festival. Mayor Gelber mentioned this is a worthy event and asked about support from other entities in Miami-Dade County. Commissioner Richardson asked for clarification if both events would definitely happen since we are providing $100,000 for each event and he also asked for Mr. Friday to work with the community regarding public benefits. Other Commissioners expressed their support for this funding and the festival. 

The approval of $200,000 was included in the City of Miami Beach FY 2021/2022 budget, which was approved in September 2021.

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