The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) has marked a significant milestone as it gears up for its 30th annual celebration, announcing today that Oscar®, Golden Globe®, and Emmy® Award-winning actress, director, and producer Regina King will serve as the festival’s Ambassador. Her appointment is fitting for an event that has championed authentic storytelling and creativity within the Black community for three decades.
Set to take place from May 27 to 31, 2026, in Miami Beach, Florida, the milestone event embraces the theme “The Homecoming.” As Ambassador, King will not only welcome festival attendees on Opening Night but also engage in a featured “Creator Conversation with Regina King,” highlighting her enduring relationship with ABFF and her dedication to nurturing the future of cinema.
King’s history with the festival is deeply rooted, tracing back to her early participation in 1997 when the event was named the Acapulco Black Film Festival. Over the years, both King and ABFF have flourished—she has emerged as an influential voice in cinema, while the festival has evolved into a premier platform for Black creatives globally.
Reflecting on her role, King expressed her pride in being associated with the ABFF, stating, “ABFF has championed countless artists and storytellers, growing into a powerful global platform. What Jeff and Nicole Friday have built over 30 years has made a lasting impact across our industry. Returning feels like a homecoming – a celebration of our creativity, resilience, and excellence. I’m truly honoured to serve as Ambassador for this milestone year.”
Jeff Friday, CEO and Founder of NICE CROWD, alongside President Nicole Friday, shared their enthusiasm about King’s involvement: “Regina has been part of the ABFF family since the very beginning. From those early years in Acapulco to everything she’s achieved since, we’ve watched her journey with so much pride. She represents everything this festival was created to celebrate—artistry, integrity, and excellence. Having her serve as our Festival Ambassador for our 30th year is truly a full-circle moment.”
Born into a career that began with her role as ‘Brenda Jenkins’ in the iconic sitcom 227, Regina King has captivated audiences with her performances in a multitude of films, including Boys N the Hood, Jerry Maguire, and Ray. Her prowess in acting has earned her critical acclaim, highlighted by an Oscar for her performance in If Beale Street Could Talk and four Primetime Emmy Awards for various television series. She has also made significant contributions on the other side of the lens, directing episodes of acclaimed shows like This Is Us, Scandal, and Insecure.
Her trajectory reached new heights in 2020 when she made history as the first Black female director to debut a film at the Venice International Film Festival with One Night in Miami, a feat that garnered her a Golden Globes nomination. In 2021, King appeared in the Netflix western The Harder They Fall, and more recently, she has portrayed America’s first Black Congresswoman, Shirley Chisholm, in the film Shirley and tackled the adaptation of Tom Wolfe’s A Man in Full into a Netflix series with David E. Kelley. Currently, she stars alongside Austin Butler in Darren Aronofsky’s crime thriller Caught Stealing and is set for the film adaptation of the beloved YA novel Children of Blood and Bone, slated for release in 2027.
The ABFF is not only a celebration of cinematic achievements but also a vital meeting ground for dialogue around representation in arts and media. As Regina King steps into her role, the festival looks towards a vibrant future, one that embraces and uplifts the voices and stories of the next generation of artists.