Miami Beach, Florida – May 27, 2026 – The 30th American Black Film Festival opening night heats up Miami Beach with the premiere of Peacock and Blumhouse’s thriller Strung. In attendance were film stars Chloe Bailey, Lynn Whitfield, Lucien Laviscount, Coco Jones, Romy Woods, Shaun Sutton, and Donna Biscoe. Also in attendance were director Malcolm D. Lee, producer Dominique Telson, and executive producer Giselle Johnson-Morris.
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.
Additional attendees included Jeff Friday (Co-Founder/CEO, NICE CROWD), Nicole Friday (Co-Founder/President, NICE CROWD), Regina King (Festival Ambassador), Kountry Wayne and more.
Ahead of the premiere, the Florida Memorial University’s (FMU) ROAR Marching Band delivered an electrifying 30‑minute performance that set a vibrant, celebratory tone and drummed home the 2026 theme: The Homecoming. With powerful sound and dynamic movement, they transformed the arrival experience into an unforgettable kickoff for the evening.
The celebration continued at the Opening Night Party at The Bass, where guests gathered to toast the kickoff of the 30th American Black Film Festival.
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 takes place May 27–31, 2026, in Miami Beach.
