American Black Film Festival Expands Into Theatrical Distribution with Launch of ABFF97

Exclusive: The new distribution arm will partner with AMC Theatres to create a theatrical pathway for more independent films.

The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is expanding into theatrical distribution with the launch of ABFF97, a new initiative created to bring select independent films to audiences in major U.S. markets through curated theatrical releases.

AMC Theatres will serve as the initiative’s inaugural theatrical provider, with releases planned across key markets including Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Detroit, Dallas, Houston, Charlotte, and Philadelphia.

Named for the festival’s founding year, ABFF97 builds on ABFF’s 30-year history of discovering and championing emerging filmmakers by extending that work beyond the festival circuit and into theatrical release.

“For three decades, ABFF has helped discover filmmakers and connect their work with audiences,” said Jeff Friday, founder of ABFF and co-founder and CEO of Nice Crowd. “As the theatrical market builds momentum, we see an opportunity to bring more independent films into that growth. ABFF97 extends our role from discovery to distribution, drawing on the audience relationships and cultural reach we have built over 30 years. With AMC as our initial theatrical provider, we have a strong foundation to bring these films to market.”

The initiative also builds on the success of the ongoing 2026 ABFF Pop-Up Tour, which has completed stops in Washington, D.C. and New York, with Atlanta and Houston to follow in the coming weeks. The audience response has reinforced interest in experiencing independent films on the big screen and helped inform ABFF’s expansion into theatrical distribution.

The launch establishes ABFF97 as a new theatrical pathway for independent film and a year-round expansion of ABFF’s work. ABFF97 will curate select films, develop theatrical release strategies, and lead marketing, publicity and audience engagement. These releases are designed to build visibility, demonstrate audience interest and strengthen opportunities for subsequent licensing and distribution across other platforms.

Priority consideration will be given to films that have screened at ABFF, while the initiative will also consider independent films from outside the festival as the platform grows. The inaugural slate and release schedule will be announced at a later date.

The 2027 edition of ABFF will take place May 20 – 23 in Los Angeles. Nice Crowd is a live events company founded by Nicole and Jeff Friday to produce high-impact festivals, awards shows and destination experiences in major U.S. cities and global markets.