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.

ABFFV is requesting 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 request is 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. 

Originally conceived as a destination event in 1977 in Acapulco, ABFF's home is now Miami Beach - for the last 19 years. During those years, ABFF has become widely recognized as a major conduit for bringing established and new Black talent to the forefront, both in front of and behind the camera. See attachments for 2019 event recap.

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.

The Administration believes that the American Black Film Festival  is an important part of the Miami Beach special event schedule, and a three (3) year agreement may allow greater access for residents, visitors and tourist to experience the event, while also educating and preparing the next generation of film industry professional through the educational program, and by bringing awareness to the importance of supporting the development of diverse content. This funding is not currently allocated and would need to be discussed as part of the budget recommendations for the next fiscal year.