American Black Film Festival lineup features Jussie Smollett and Vivica A. Fox, drama “Luther: Never Too Much”, documentary

The American Black Film Festival is back! The beloved film festival returns to Miami in June and has just announced its 2024 schedule of feature movies and documentaries.

Each 12 months, ABFF showcases Black talent from across the diaspora, and this 12 months’s lineup spans a wide range of genres including motion, psychological thriller, romance, biography, drama, comedy and coming-of-age stories that also make clear “culturally relevant themes.” similar to mental health, human trafficking, homelessness, gang violence, gentrification and LGBT promotion,” in response to press materials.

“The 2024 American Black Film Festival returns to continue celebrating artists and participants alike through our robust showcase of diverse filmmaking that spotlights Black culture,” Nice Crowd president Nicole Friday said in a press release accompanying the lineup release. “We are excited to return to Miami and invite everyone to take part in a momentous week dedicated to recognizing emerging filmmakers and bringing a wide range of inspiring stories to our community.”

The festival lineup will include “The Lost Holliday,” directed and co-written by Jussie Smollett, who stars alongside Vivica A. Fox. “After losing her estranged son, Cassandra must deal with grief and guilt while meeting the daughter and husband of the son she knew nothing about,” reads the official synopsis.

“The Waterboyz,” directed by Coke Daniels and produced by Ben Crump, takes viewers to the “streets of the ATL,” where “two young men cross paths, one trying to make a living legally, the other trying to sow chaos and rule the streets,” reads the synopsis . Starring Akil McDowell, Alani “La La” Anthony, Quavo Omar Dorsey and Rockmond Dunbar.

For more details about ABFF, ticket information, event news and more, visit the official website Here. Check out the total lineup below.

NARRATIVE FEATURES (US & International)

“Albany Road”

On the option to an important meeting of her profession, severe weather forces a New York executive to share a rental automotive along with her former nemesis, her ex-fiancé’s mother, only to find that her mother is hiding a serious secret.

USA | 135 minutes

Directed by Christine Swanson
Screenplay: Christine Swanson
Producer: Michael Swanson
Cast: Renée Elise Goldsberry, Lynn Whitfield, J. Alphonse Nicholson, Lisa Arrindell, Gary Dourdan, Joe Holt, Rachel Nicks

“Black Heat”
World premiere

One night, two parents, with no alternative left, infiltrate a top-class drug dealer and a pimp’s apartment constructing to rescue their teenage daughter.

USA | 93 minutes

Directed by Wes Miller
Screenplay: Wes Miller
Producers: Andrew van den Houte, Wes Miller
Cast: Jason Mitchell, Tabatha “DreamDoll” Robinson, NLE Choppa

“Reservoir”
US Prime Minister

Sometimes you may have to take justice into your individual hands.

USA | 103 minutes

Directed by Terrisha Kearse
Screenplay: Steve Fauquier, David Wendell Boykins, Terrisha Kearse, Mico Ramos
Producers: Tara Carbajal, Terrisha Kearse, Keita Don Azu, Seven Bailey, Amber Bolden
Cast: David Wendell Boykins, Dallas Schaefer, Kiya Roberts, Derek S. Orr, Kimberly Bailey

““drip like coffee”
World premiere

An unlikely romance develops between two Brooklyn baristas, Kali, an aspiring coffee pro, and Mel, an aspiring photographer.

USA | 86 minutes

Directed by: Anaiis Cisco
Script: Anaiis Cisco
Producers: Anaiis Cisco, Ryan Rivard, Mary Pena, Kathryn Boyd-Batstone
Cast: Iman Artwell Freeman, Kashanie Lagrotta Butler, Ralphy Lopez

Featured Stories

“Hair of Freedom“

Based on the inspiring true story of Melona Armstrong, a mother working at a battered women’s shelter decides to start out a hair braiding business and must overcome obstacles imposed by the powerful cartel and the state of Mississippi.

USA | 99 minutes

Directed by Dianne Houston
Screenplay: Dianne Houston
Producers: Stacey Parks, Lana Link, Rob Pfaltzgraff
Cast: Simona Brown, Jeremie Harris, Sophia Bush, Erica Taze

“It looked like a postcard”
World premiere

A poet teetering on the verge of single motherhood returns to her hometown to rebuild her life and finds love and way more after receiving a magical postcard at her door.

USA | 97 minutes

Directed by: Qasim Basir
Screenplay: Jessica Care Moore
Producers: Jessica Care Moore, Lasana Hotep, Gingi Rochelle
Cast: Jessica Care Moore, Tobias Truvillion, Jaden Anthony Moore, Nicci Gilbert, Donnell Rawlings, Omar Regan

“Peripheral”
World premiere

The woman’s husband disappears shortly after moving to a brand new house, but upon his return, strange and paranormal events begin to occur.

USA | 88 minutes

Directed by: Sulayman Tahir
Screenplay: Sulayman Tahir, Jordan Tortorello
Producers: Jordan Tortorello, Dallas Hart, Chris Tortorello
Cast: Andrea B. Langston, Patrick Walker, Patricia Mizen, D’Kia Anderson, Sami Tortorello

“Swoon”
World premiere

The woman wakes up tied to a bed and her kidnapper tries to govern her into believing they’re a pair.

USA | 83 minutes

Directed by Byron Manuel
Screenplay: Byron Manuel
Producers: Byron Manuel, Ryan Rojas, JP Ouellette, Cash Oliver, Franco Tavera, George Wriighster, Cameron Duncan, Lily Terrazas, Raul Terrazas, Kassandra Lee Diaz, Rich Morrow.
Cast: Kassandra Lee Diaz, DeRon Cash, Rich Morrow, Efrangeliz Medina, Dean Wil, Herbert Morales, Del Harrison.

“Last game”
US Prime Minister

A retired skilled basketball player searches for true love and a brand new starting, however the traumas of his past threaten his happiness.

USA | 108 minutes

Directed by Tailiah Breon
Screenplay: Jeremy Pargo, Barshea Lowery
Producers: Jeremy Pargo, Valentina Barton, Tailiah Breon, Ernestine Morrison Johnson
Cast: Jeremy Pargo, Hazel Renee, Jerod Haynes, Navv Greene, Vanessa D. Fant, Brea Joy

““Lost Vacation”
World premiere

After losing her estranged son, Cassandra must take care of grief and guilt while meeting the daughter and husband of the son she knew nothing about.

USA | 96 minutes

Directed by Jussie Smollett
Screenplay: Jerrell Chesney, Jussie Smollett
Producers: Jussie Smollett, Mona Scott-Young, Tressa Smallwood, Tom Wilson, Joe “Jody” Williams, Janet Smollett, Eddie Mac, Stephanie Gayle, Jerrell Chesney, Anthony Smallwood, Sheila Legette and Vivica A. Fox
Cast: Vivica A. Fox, Jussie Smollett, Jabari Redd, Marquise Vilsón, Brittany S. Hall, Miriam A. Hyman, London Carter, Memphis Cade, Gina Belafonte, Leslie D. Baker

“Chances”
World premiere

A young man stumbles upon happiness, but it surely attracts the unsuitable attention.

Nigeria | 93 minutes

Directed by: Kewa Oni
Screenplay: Kewa Oni
Producers: Seun Opabisi, Sean McNichol, Phiona Okunmu, Tunji Jamiu Shoyode
Cast: Molawa Davies, Osita Iheme, Gbemi Akinlade, Kelechi Udegbe

““Waterboyz”
World premiere

Two young men meet on the streets of ATL: one tries to earn a living legally, the opposite tries to sow chaos and rule the streets.

USA | 89 minutes

Directed by: Coke Daniels
Script: Cola Daniels
Producers: Coke Daniels, Errol Sadler, Dolapo Erinkitola, Cameron S Mitchell, Brian Sher, Coach K, Pee Thomas, Ben Crump, Tirrell D Whitley
Cast: Akil McDowell, Alani “La La” Anthony, Quavo Omar Dorsey, Rockmond Dunbar

““Young King”
World premiere

As Diondre Howell adjusts to civilian life and deals with the scars of the Iraq War, he increasingly becomes a threat to those he cares about most – his family.

USA | 94 minutes

Directed by: Bryant T. Griffin
Screenplay: Bryant T. Griffin
Producer: Selena Leoni
Cast: Vince Washington, Tarra Riggs, Kirby Griffin, Vaughn Wilkinson, James Arthur Sims

DOCUMENTARY FEATURES

“It’s time to shout: “More than a statue”
World premiere

The passionate activism of former Charlottesville City Council member Dr. Wes Bellamy charts the tumultuous journey for racial justice that began with the controversial removal of Confederate monuments and led to one of the crucial divisive conflicts in America today.

USA | 63 minutes

Directed by Eric W. Newman and Daniel B. Levin
Producers: Eric W. Newman, Daniel B. Levin, Daryl Davis
Cast: Dr. Wes Bellamy, Kristin Szakos, Eze Amos, Will Jones, Courtney Commander

“Family tree“

In the American South, landowners within the Black Forest are fighting to preserve their family heritage and create sustainable forests for future generations.

USA | 97 minutes

Directed by Jennifer MacArthur
Producer: Rupert Maconick
Cast: The Jefferies Family, The Williams Family, Sam Cook, Mavis Gragg, Alton Perry

“It Takes a Village: The Story of East Van”
US Prime Minister

The journey of two Ugandan brothers unfolds in East Vancouver, highlighting the community’s impact in empowering at-risk youth to beat adversity.

Canada| 79 minutes

Directed by Christopher Cho
Producers: Jonathan Mubanda, Christopher Cho, Stephanie Watt-Mubanda, David Mubanda, Wolfgang Klassen
Cast: Jonathan, David, Theresa Campbell

“King of Kings: Chasing Edward Jones“

The European director is in search of the reality about her grandfather, essentially the most famous political king of all time, who, despite discrimination within the Nineteen Thirties, climbed to the heights of monetary and political position in Chicago.

France | 98 minutes

Directed by: Harriet Marin Jones
Producer: Harriet Marin Jones
Executive producers: Quincy Jones, Debbie Allen
Cast: Quincy Jones, Nathan Thompson, Harriet Jones, Timuel Black

“Luther: You can never have too much“

Dawn Porter offers an in-depth have a look at the life and profession of Luther Vandross, who overcame personal and skilled challenges to develop into considered one of the best singers of all time.

USA | 100 minutes

Directed by Dawn Porter
Producers: Trish D Chetty, Ged Doherty, Jamie Foxx, Datari Turner, Leah Smith
Executive producers: Jamie Foxx, Datari Turner, Jon Platt
Cast: Fonzi Thornton, Robin Clark, Carlos Alomar, Danyel Smith, Jon Platt, Ava Cherry, Seveda Williams, Nile Rodgers, Valerie Simpson, Marcus Miller, Nat Adderly Jr., Jamie Foxx, Lisa Fischer, Kevin Owens, Richard Marx, Clive Davis, Mariah Carey, Dionne Warwick and Max Szadek

““Train: The Story of Dick ‘The Night Train’ within the Lane”
World premiere

Follow the extraordinary profession of Dick “Night Train” Lane, from the concrete playing fields of the Twenties to Madden Football stardom as he went from being thrown into the trash can to earning a spot within the Football Hall of Fame.

USA | 133 minutes

Directed by Eric “Ptah” Herbert
Producers: Carlos Mendez, Jennifer Karsting, Richard Lane Jr, Richard Walker, Eric “Ptah” Herbert, Mack Tompkins, Andre Mitchell, Devin Mitchell
Cast: Eric Dickerson, Ray Lewis, Warren Moon, Dick Lebeau, Rod Woodson, Dick Butkus, Leigh Steinberg, Ct Fletcher, Guy Torry, Fred “The Hammer” Williamson, Henry Leverette

“Who the hell is Regina Jones?”
World premiere

Before Rolling Stone, there was Soul. Behind Soul was Regina Jones. Against all odds, Regina forged her own path and, on the age of 80, found herself again.

USA | 99 minutes

Director: Soraya Selene, Billy Miossi
Producer: Alissa Shapiro
Cast: Regina Jones, Matt Jones