In honor of its upcoming 30th year, the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) — the platform connecting filmmakers with industry, exposure and careers — expanded beyond its home base of Miami Beach, Florida, with its Pop Up series, officially kicking off in New York City this past October, with stops in Atlanta and Dallas, and culminating in Los Angeles on December 13 and 14.
During the opening panel at the inaugural stop in Los Angeles, held at the AMC Theater inside the Grove Shopping Center, actress and producer Tika Sumpter reminisced about her relationship with money during her childhood. “My first relationship with money was I knew there was not a lot of money around,” Sumpter shared.
“We still had joy, and my mom would always have a Christmas fund,” Sumpter said. “Now, in my forties, having the breadth of work and having worked for so long, I was able to put things in place.”
Sumpter, who was the featured speaker for the “Beyond the Role: Wealth, Worth & Womanhood” panel presented by Ally, emphasized the importance of planning for financial longevity for fellow Black artists. “I’m raising my 9-year-old daughter. She knows nothing else. When she gets older, I want to be able to seed her that money without her struggling all the time,” she commented with self-assuredness.
“My value system is stability for my child, me and my husband.” Sumpter summarized her personal philosophies on wealth, worth, and womanhood. “What is meant for you,” she paused and pointed to the packed auditorium, “will be meant for you.”
Cross Gets a New Star
During the weekend-long event, Prime Video debuted an exclusive watch of the second season premiere of Cross, starring Aldis Hodge. Series creator and showrunner Ben Watkins spoke about working with his cast before a crowd of emerging talent and filmmakers.
“The thread that connects the story in Cross is always family. The culture of our set feels like a real family,” Watkins exclaimed, who also revealed he happens to star in this new season.
“Always stay in sight of the goal,” Watkins advised his audience of film and television newcomers. “The path will likely change to get there, just always be aware of Z as the goal.”
HBO Short Films Shine in Los Angeles
The panel closed with the HBO Short Film Award finalists and winners — originally announced at the ABFF’s 29th celebration in Miami Beach — exemplifying the diversity and expansiveness of contemporary Black storytelling.
Filmmakers Sam Henderson and Ryan Romine’s award-winning Ado opened the showcase. The contemporary short packed a Shakespearean tragedy into its depiction of being a theater student at school under threat from an active shooter. Jenifer Lewis portrays the endearing Miss Hawkins, who is determined to protect and instill faith in all her students. The moving story was an ode to a real-life teacher, “Ms Bee,” who is distinguished in the closing credits as “another hero.”
A Beauty Supply in Queens, a collaboration by writer Princess Adenike and director Oluseyi Olatujoye, follows a self-determined Nigerian beauty supply owner who struggles to make ends meet for her small family. She battles a changing world and local entrepreneurs fighting for survival in the same neighborhood.
Writer Yasmine Crawley and filmmaker Nick Buchheit partnered to create In Good Hands, a behind-the-scenes look at what it feels like to be a Black woman in the medical field. Dr. Asante lovingly cares for her patients, even when she is overlooked within the healthcare system, and she aims to perform her job at the highest level.
Written and directed by Luke Harris, ManBooBs is an extremely tender and funny take about a timid Black teenager who suffers from body dysmorphia and faces public embarrassment. The protagonist Jamal overcomes his fear of taking off his shirt at a backyard pool party with his crush present.
Filmmaker DeeDee Casimir’s Last Hoorah at G-Baby’s closed the first day of programming, offering a narrative of loss and grief that is underscored by the impactful performance of an independent artist who mourns the recent death of her grandmother. She grapples with her reality and struggles to find her footing amid hardship.