Vanessa will be covering the festival for S&A, so look out for all her writeups over the next 3 days (she doesn't get there until tomorrow).

Those who are already there, or going to be there, enjoy!

As for the rest of you… in case you didn't already know… the specifics:

The 16th Annual American Black Film Festival kicks off in Miami Beach, FL tonight, with Beasts Of The Southern Wild as the opening night film.

Known as Black Cinema's Annual Retreat, the festival will run from June 20 – 23.

Jeff Friday, ABFF's, Founder, announced that actress Tracee Ellis Ross will serve as this year's festival Ambassador. Other highlights include A Conversation with Salim & Mara Brock Akil, ABFF Celebrates "Think Like A Man, Black Women in Hollywood Panel, HBO Short Film Competition, and the screening of Raising Izzie (directed by Roger Bobb, and Starring Rockmond Dunbar and Vanessa Williams) will close the festival.

Mekhi Phifer will serve as Grand Jury president and will present award at the ABFF Winners Circle.

This year's festival will launch the first Webisode Challenge. According to Friday, the challenge is an initiative to create a platform for digital content. The festival will sneak preview a new Film LIfe TV web series titled The Q&A Show, executive-produced by Friday. The show was created by a young hollywood married couple trying to find a way to work together. Friday described the sketch comedy series as raw and edgy, and one that will "put you in the mind of In Living Color and The Chappelle Show." The Q&A Show will launch on June 24.

For tickets and event/screening schedule information visit ABFF online HERE.