LOS ANGELES, (March 26, 2026) – The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) today announced that its 30th annual edition will Peacock and Blumhouse's thriller Strung, directed by Malcolm D. Lee. The film stars Chloe Bailey as a talented violinist whose prestigious new role as a music tutor for an enigmatic, elite family spirals into a psychological battle for her safety and sanity. Featuring an ensemble cast including Lynn Whitfield, Lucien Laviscount, Anna Diop, and Coco Jones, Strung will make its world premiere at the festival before debuting on Peacock on June 26, 2026. This year’s milestone edition of ABFF with the celebratory theme “Homecoming,” returns to Miami Beach from May 27-31, 2026, honoring three decades of discovery and creative excellence.
“As we celebrate 30 years of the American Black Film Festival, having Malcolm D. Lee return with his latest project, Strung, feels especially right for this moment,” said Nicole Friday, President of NICE CROWD and Producer of ABFF. “Malcolm has been part of the ABFF journey, and his return under our ‘Homecoming’ theme feels truly full circle. It’s a special way to open the festival in Miami Beach as we mark this milestone.”
Written by Alan McElroy, Strung is produced by Peachtree & Vine, Blumhouse, in association with Blackmaled Productions, with Tyler Perry, Jason Blum, Tim Palen, Malcolm D. Lee, Dominique Telson, p.g.a. as Producers; Philip Waley, Shaun S. Sutton, Alan McElroy, Giselle Johnson-Morris serve as Executive Producers.
In addition to the previously announced appointment of Oscar®, Golden Globe®, and Emmy® Award winner Regina King as this year’s Festival Ambassador, ABFF is expanding its footprint with the launch of the ABFF 9:16 Microdrama Project, a first-of-its-kind initiative designed to identify and amplify outstanding vertical content from creators of color.
ABFF sponsors and partners to date are Warner Bros. Discovery and HBO® (Founding), Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) (Host), Ally Financial, Amazon MGM Studios, Comcast NBCUniversal (Presenting), City of Miami Beach, American Airlines (Major), Sony Pictures Entertainment (Official), Netflix, with the support of the Miami Beach Visitor And Convention Authority, Hartbeat, L'Oréal Groupe (Supporting), Motion Picture Association (Contributing), Nielsen, Fulton Films GA (Associate), Variety, LA Times, Getty Images (Media).
Additional details and programming announcements will be released in the coming weeks. For updates, visit www.nicecrowd.com and follow @ABFF on Twitter and @AmericanBlackFilmFestival on Instagram and Facebook.
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About the American Black Film Festival (ABFF)
Founded in 1997 by Jeff Friday, the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is the premier festival dedicated to recognizing Black talent and showcasing film and television content created by and about people of African descent. Widely regarded as the industry’s leading pipeline for emerging Black storytellers, ABFF has played a pivotal role in launching the careers of many of today’s most acclaimed filmmakers, actors, and creative voices. Each year, the festival brings together filmmakers, industry executives, and audiences from around the world for a five-day celebration of storytelling, culture, and career advancement through screenings, panels, masterclasses, and networking opportunities. The festival’s 30th anniversary edition will take place May 27–31, 2026, in Miami Beach.
About NICE CROWD
NICE CROWD is a pioneering live events company operating at the intersection of culture, entertainment, and tourism. Founded by Nicole and Jeff Friday, the company produces high-impact festivals, awards shows, and destination experiences in major U.S. cities and global markets. Guided by its philosophy, The Power of Gathering, NICE CROWD believes that when people come together, creativity flourishes, new voices are amplified, and meaningful connections are made. The company harnesses that energy to deliver culturally relevant experiences while generating measurable economic impact for its partners. Through expertise in event production, audience engagement, and strategic partnerships, NICE CROWD creates platforms that celebrate groundbreaking artists and innovators while connecting brands, media, and audiences in meaningful ways. www.nicecrowd.com
More information about the American Black Film Festival (ABFF): https://www.abff.com/miami/