The 2024 American Black Film Festival (ABFF) has a new creative director.
NICE CROWD (formerly ABFF Ventures), an events company showcasing BIPOC creators, has named Issa Rae as the creative director for the film festival’s 2024 season. As ABFF Creative Director, the Insecure creator and star will work with ABFF co-founders/producers Nicole and Jeff Friday to program the festival lineup. She will also help promote the festival’s mission of showcasing Black talent and discovering new creators.
Rae said in a statement that she’s “honored” to joine NICE CROWD as the ABFF’s creative director.
“As one of the first major festivals to showcase my work, ABFF continues to elevate Black creatives from the ground up, and I’m excited to join its co-founders and producers, Nicole and Jeff Friday, in that mission,” she said.
Nicole and Jeff Friday also said in a statement how they felt Rae was the perfect partner for next year’s festival.
“Throughout the course of her career, Issa Rae has made an indelible impact within the entertainment ecosystem ranging from her wide array of roles – in front of and behind the camera – to her fierce advocacy for equitable representation and opportunities for Black creatives,” they said. “We couldn’t think of a better partner to help us continue to embody the ABFF mission of showcasing Black talent — and discovering and amplifying new voices.”
“The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau(GMCVB) is proud to once again join in support of the ABFF and the incredible impact this festival has on Greater Miami’s tourism landscape,” added Connie Kinnard, Senior Vice President of Multicultural Tourism & Development for the GMCVB. “With Nicole and Jeff Friday at the helm, ABFF continues its commitment to shining a light on diverse, up-and-coming talent, ultimately benefiting the Greater Miami and Miami Beach community at-large.”
The ABFF will take place June 12-16 in Miami Beach. Florida.
Rae, who was recently seen in Greta Gerwig’s Barbie, can be heard in the upcoming Max original animated series Young Love, based on Matthew A. Cherry’s Oscar-winning animated short, Hair Love.
