The American Black Film Festival is moving to Los Angeles. Its 31st edition runs May 20 to 23, 2027, with screenings at AMC The Grove, industry programming at SLS Beverly Hills, and opening and closing night galas at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. According to Los Angeles magazine, it is the festival’s first time in L.A. since 2010; the 2026 edition was held in Miami Beach.
The move comes with a new way to attend. Traditional passes are gone, replaced by Digital Passes that let you reserve screenings and events in advance. Passes are already on sale at the lowest prices of the cycle through October 31. Here is everything ABFF has posted as of September 28, 2026.
The quick version
| When | Thursday, May 20, through Sunday, May 23, 2027 |
| Where | AMC The Grove 14, SLS Beverly Hills, The Original Farmers Market, and the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, with more venues to be announced |
| Edition | 31st |
| Passes | Essentials from $225, Power from $600, Industry from $1,500 (plus service fees), Virtual $175; Day Passes from $150 go on sale April 16 |
| Single tickets | On sale April 19, 2027 |
| Getting around | Free daytime shuttle between venues for most pass holders |
| Official site | abff.com |
What’s new for 2027
- Crossroads: a new noncompetitive film section open to filmmakers of all backgrounds whose work explores culture, identity, and community. ABFF says the festival stays centered on stories by and about people of African descent.
- ABFF First Look: The Studio Showcase: studios, distributors, and streamers preview upcoming projects with trailers, footage, and talent appearances.
- ABFF Sports: a festival within the festival about sports, storytelling, and culture.
- Digital Passes replace traditional festival passes.
What’s screening
The lineup has not been announced. Filmmakers hear back on April 9, 2027, and ABFF says the program will be announced in stages. Programming will include narrative and documentary features, shorts, episodic projects, panels, master classes, Celebrity Conversations, and Signature Evening Events. Attendees can vote for Fan Favorite films they see.
Passes and tickets
Prices go up in three steps. Service fees are extra.
| Pass | Sept. 1 to Oct. 31 | Nov. 1 to Jan. 31 | Feb. 1 to May 20 | Reservations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | $1,500 | $1,750 | $2,000 | Up to 12, window opens April 12 |
| Power | $600 | $650 | $700 | Up to 10, window opens April 14 |
| Essentials | $225 | $275 | $325 | Up to 6 (films, panels, master classes only), window opens April 16 |
| Day Pass | From $150, on sale April 16, 2027 | Up to 3 on your chosen day | ||
| Virtual Movies Pass | $175 | $175 | $175 | Stream a curated selection May 20 to 23 |
- Industry extras: the Founder’s Reception, the Filmmaker Buyer’s Guide, and virtual festival access.
- Shuttle and hotels: Industry, Power, and Essentials holders get discounted host hotel rates, and Industry, Power, Essentials, and Day holders ride the festival shuttle.
- Single tickets go on sale April 19, 2027, for eligible screenings and panels, space permitting.
- Refunds: passes bought on or before April 19, 2027, can be refunded only if you ask within 48 hours of purchase. After that, and for passes bought after April 19, all sales are final. Single tickets are non-refundable.
- No transfers. Digital Passes are for the registered holder only.
How Digital Passes work
This is the part to understand before you buy. A pass does not automatically get you into anything.
- Reserve in waves. Industry holders reserve first on April 12, Power on April 14, and Essentials and Day on April 16. Single tickets follow on April 19.
- First come, first served. Popular events can fill up during the pass windows.
- Show up on time. ABFF suggests arriving 30 minutes early. Reservations are held until 15 minutes before start.
- Watch the no-shows. Cancel at least 3 hours ahead through the Reservation Portal. Two no-shows can suspend your advance reservation privileges for the rest of the festival.
- Seating is general admission within each ticket category.
- Unused reservations expire when the festival ends.
Venues
- AMC The Grove 14, 189 The Grove Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90036. Independent films and spotlight screenings.
- SLS Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Beverly Hills, 465 La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048. Panels, master classes, and networking mixers.
- The Original Farmers Market, 6333 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles, CA 90036. Sponsor exhibits and brand activations.
- Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, 6067 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036. Opening and Closing Night galas.
Getting there
- Shuttle: free for Industry, Power, Essentials, and Day pass holders, scheduled to run daily 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. between SLS Beverly Hills and The Grove and Original Farmers Market. Routes and pickup spots will be announced closer to the festival. Plan your own ride to evening events at the Academy Museum.
- Car: ABFF says a rental car is not necessary for most attendees, and suggests rideshare and the shuttles.
- Parking: public parking is available at or near the venues. It is not included with passes or tickets.
- What to wear: smart casual for daytime. Opening Night, Closing Night, and select evening events are dressier, though formal wear is not required unless the listing says so.
About ABFF
Jeff Friday founded ABFF in 1997, and it is produced by NICE CROWD, the live events company he leads with Nicole Friday. Raeshon Morris is the new festival director. ABFF says many screenings and events are family appropriate, though some programs are for adults, so check each listing.
Still to come
The film lineup, guests, schedule, additional venues, shuttle routes, host hotels, and accessibility information (listed as “coming soon”) have not been announced. The 824 Journal will update this guide when they are released.
Sources
- ABFF: The American Black Film Festival Sets Los Angeles for 31st Edition (August 18, 2026)
- ABFF: What’s New for ABFF 2027
- ABFF: Pass Options
- ABFF: Individual Tickets
- ABFF: Key Dates
- ABFF: Venues
- ABFF: Festival FAQs (reservations, refunds, shuttle, parking, dress, history)
- Los Angeles magazine: American Black Film Festival Announces 2027 L.A. Return (August 21, 2026)
Featured photo: Luijtenphotos via Wikimedia Commons, CC0
