Chlöe Bailey Stars in Thriller ‘Strung’ Premiering at ABFF
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.