LOS ANGELES, CA (July 8, 2026) – NICE CROWD, the company behind the American Black Film Festival (ABFF), today announced the return of the ABFF Pop Up Tour for its second year, building on the success of its inaugural national tour with expanded four-city lineup. This fall, the tour kicks off in Washington, DC (September 25–27), followed by stops in New York City (October 10–11) and Atlanta (October 24–25), before culminating in Houston (November 7–8). Each weekend will feature award-winning independent films, celebrity conversations, and curated panels. Designed to extend the reach of ABFF beyond its flagship festival, the Pop Up Tour meets audiences where they are, in vibrant creative communities across the country. The 2026 Pop Up Tour is presented nationally by its Founding Sponsor Ally Financial.
“ABFF Pop Up gives us the opportunity to bring our festival experience to audiences beyond our annual event and connect with communities in new and returning markets throughout the year,” said Nicole Friday, President and Co-Founder of NICE CROWD. “We’re excited to introduce ABFF Pop Up to Washington, DC and Houston while returning to New York and Atlanta. Each stop is designed to capture the spirit of ABFF by bringing together exceptional films, meaningful conversations, and the community that has always been at the heart of the festival.”
ABFF POP UP TOUR (September 2026 – November 2026)
A national tour bringing ABFF programming and spirit to four key U.S. markets.
Presenting Sponsor: Ally Financial
- Washington, DC – September 25-27 | Angelika Pop-Up at Union Market
- New York – October 10–11 | AMC Lincoln Square
- Atlanta – October 24-25 | AMC Madison Yards
- Houston – November 7–8 | Regal Edwards Houston Marq’E
“As the Founding Sponsor of the ABFF Pop Up Tour, Ally is proud to help bring these powerful stories and conversations to communities across the country — because showing up in real cultural moments is exactly how we bridge the gap between culture and finance,” said Erica Hughes, senior director of PR at Ally Financial. “The stories told at ABFF — about identity, community, and life today — are the stories behind real financial lives, and it’s exactly where Ally belongs.”
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.
