Our Star-Studded Recap Of The 2024 American Black Film Festival

Multi-hyphenate media mogul Issa Rae prolonged her successful streak as Inventive Director of this 12 months’s twenty eighth Annual American Black Movie Pageant the place gifted filmmakers, business up-and-comers, and cinema lovers continued her now-iconic custom of rooting for everyone Black.

With a thriving artistic empire and penchant for luxurious yacht sh*t, Rae was the proper option to elevate the famed pageant recognized for attracting large names to Miami Seashore.

Flowing with free Viarae Prosecco, the 3-day Hoorae Home activation offered good vibes, tasty bites, an Insecure-style affirmations mirror, and Instagram-friendly decor for pageant attendees who flocked to benefit from the Issa-curated expertise.

(We’re additionally 100% certain the closing night time Yacht celebration was 100% Issa’s concept, and sure, it was a time)

As visitors of longtime ABFF-sponsor Cadillac, we loved dynamic panels, world premiere screenings, and unique occasions like Netflix’s Sturdy Black Excellence Brunch honoring Andra Day for her highly effective efficiency in Lee Daniels’ upcoming Netflix movie Deliverance in theaters 8/16 and Netflix 8/30.

Notable visitors included Cory Hardrict, Jessie Woo, Sharelle Rosado, Bevy Smith, and extra who loved a classy Nikkei delicacies menu with spectacular sushi choices, shishito peppers, crispy squid, hen & waffles, and specialty drinks.

The primary of two beautiful brunches, our subsequent cease was Crimson Rooster Overtown–a Black-owned gem with wealthy tradition and scrumptious meals–the place Starz hosted an intimate celebration of Nicco Annan‘s upcoming docuseries Down In The Valley.

Finishing the trifecta of lavish affairs was pageant sponsor Ally–a financial institution holding firm dedicated to offering monetary training to the subsequent era of creators–which hosted a tasty dinner reception at Eden Roc Lodge’s Ocean Social restaurant.

Earlier than catching up with Cory and Meagan to speak Divorce In The Black, we made our technique to the bustling Cadillac Lounge for ABFF visitors to loosen up, recharge, and vibe to Grammy-winner Fortunate Daye and rising star Kirby together with Demetria L. Lucas’ stay Ratchet & Respectable podcast with particular visitors Nicco Annan, Lamman Rucker, and extra.

Pageant goers additionally had the chance to have their aura learn, meet Jessica Nabongo–the primary Black girl to journey to each nation on the earth, and drive Cadillac’s rising fleet of all-electric automobiles together with the LYRIQ, Escalade IQ, and OPTIQ at ride-and-drive experiences exterior the venure.

Nabongo’s guide The Catch Me If You Can particulars her historic journey across the globe with “fascinating tales of journey, tradition, journey musts, and human connections,” in line with her website.

Different notable visitors on the progressive activation included art-collectors-to-know Sol Apante and Jennia Freirique Aponte, and Greenwood Normal founder Daybreak Limerick.

Dedicated to driving the tradition ahead whereas making house for gifted creatives throughout the business, Cadillac’s Head of Multicultural Advertising Juanita Slappy continues to highlight the luxurious automaker’s genuine connection to tradition and progressive spirit of its electrical automobiles.

Along with the Hoorae Home and Cadillac Lounge, ABFF attendees had a number of panel choices together with Creator Conversations with Issa Rae and Kenya Barris, Hulu’s world premiere screening of UnPrisoned Season 2 with Kerry Washington, Prime Video’s unique preview of Tyler Perry’s Divorce In The Black with Meagan Good and Cory Hardrict, Contained in the Making of CROSS with Aldis Hodge, Starz’s unique Down In The Valley screening with Nicco Annan, Uncensored Stay with Trina, and extra.

In a becoming finale, ABFF hosted a Retrospective honoring the life and legendary profession of Denzel Washington who lower all the way in which up in one of many funniest interviews we’ve seen shortly.

At one level, he Facetimed his spouse Pauletta mid-interview in probably the most hilarious second of the night time. In case you didn’t know, Uncle Denzel is from round the way in which.