The American Black Film Festival Pop Up’s tour stop in Atlanta brought some of the best programming from Miami to The Hollywood of the South.
The ABFF ATL Pop Up began on Saturday, November 8 as Crystal Renee Hayslett took the stage for her panel “Flourish Creatively and Financially” presented by founding sponsor Ally Financial, offering audiences insight into the tools and inspiration needed to thrive, balancing creativity with financial acumen. The day’s momentum continued with a special screening of the season three premiere of STARZ’s Power Book IV: Force, followed by a conversation with cast members Isaac Keys, Kris Lofton, and Adrienne Walker.
A fan-favorite staple of the Miami flagship festival, audiences capped off the first day with an encore of the 2025 HBO Short Film Showcase followed by an in-depth conversation with filmmakers Princess Adenike and Chanell Jones, moderated by Giovonnie Samuels.
The second and final day of the ABFF ATL Pop Up, Sunday, November 9 kicked off with another standout from the flagship festival, BOB Talks (Black-Owned Brands). The panel series celebrating Black entrepreneurship featured two couples: Maya & Brian Smith of The Doux and Jilea & Jamie Hemmings of Nourish + Bloom. The panel was followed by the highly anticipated “Creator Conversation” with Terri J. Vaughn, presented by AARP. The inspiring conversation highlighted Vaughn’s multifaceted career in film and television, from her breakout comedic roles that cemented her as a fan favorite, to her evolution as a filmmaker dedicated to telling authentic stories.
Audiences then enjoyed a screening of Andscape’s Hoops, Hopes, & Dreams, followed by a conversation with producer Alexys Feaster. The packed weekend came to a close with the screening of ABFF John Singleton Award for Best Debut Feature Winner, Meta Take One, followed by a talkback with writer/directors John Dierre and Ryan Dutter.
Source: ameyawdebrah.com/
