Subject: The 30th Annual ABFF is just around the corner…

Don’t miss out on this cultural extravaganza!


It’s the milestone 30th anniversary of the American Black Film Festival returning to Miami Beach, May 27-31, 2026, under the celebratory theme “The Homecoming.”


Founded by Jeff Friday, ABFF was conceived to strengthen the independent film community through resource sharing, education, and collaboration. From its trailblazing beginnings, ABFF has evolved into Hollywood’s leading talent discovery platform for people of African descent. Today, it attracts a global community of creators, executives, and enthusiasts. Each June, more than 7,000 attendees gather in Miami Beach for five days of film screenings, panels, master classes, networking, and lifestyle experiences.


Adding to the significance of this year’s milestone, the 2026 festival will introduce a unique curatorial approach: a portion of the lineup will be shaped by ABFF alumni and longtime supporters. These artists, many of whom launched their careers on the ABFF stage, will help design and present programming that ensures the “The Homecoming” theme resonates deeply with the community that has defined the festival’s impact over three decades.


“ABFF has always been about discovery, celebration, and connection,” said Jeff Friday, Founder of ABFF and CEO of NICE CROWD. “For 30 years, we’ve built a platform where diverse talent could be seen, heard, and supported. The Homecoming is about honoring the alumni who helped shape our legacy and inspiring the next generation of storytellers to create work that will define the future.”


“As we celebrate this incredible milestone, we’re reminded of the power of community and the importance of continuing to amplify new voices,” said Nicole Friday, President of NICE CROWD. “ABFF has become more than a festival — it’s a cultural home. We can’t wait to welcome our alumni, audiences, and industry partners back to Miami for what will be our most meaningful celebration yet.”


Get your Event Pass to discover ABFF Miami

American Black Film Festival

I've had a lot of great conversations in my career. This one made my list.


I was recently a guest on The Frontline Innovation Podcast, and we went deep on something that doesn't get talked about nearly enough: the hidden friction inside teams that quietly kills momentum, burns people out, and turns great ideas into expensive disappointments.


Not a technology problem. Not a strategy problem. A people problem. Specifically, what happens when leaders don't understand how the people around them actually think, process information, and show up to do the work.


Here's a taste of what we covered:


  • Why friction from people interactions is the real innovation killer

  • How psychological safety and self-awareness aren't soft skills, they're performance drivers

  • What happens when you align teams to work with human intelligence instead of against it

  • Faster execution. Better results. Way less burnout.


If you lead a team or build things in the real world, this one is worth your time.

Watch it here

Forward this to someone on your team who needs to hear it. You know who.

And as always if you miss the episode, you can catch it our YouTube Channel so make sure you’re subscribed - Youtube.com/@aliciacouri

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