ABFF 30th Anniversary Commercial Competition 2026 ($10,000 cash prize) – YOA

Deadline: July 31, 2025

Applications are open for the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) 30th Anniversary Commercial Competition 2026. The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is popping 30 in 2026—and this milestone is greater than a celebration, it’s a Homecoming. A return to their roots. A tribute to the groundbreaking filmmakers, daring storytellers, and rising stars who’ve handed by their doorways over time—and a name to the following technology prepared to hold the torch. The 30th Anniversary Commercial Competition invites content material creators to write down, produce and direct and a dynamic 30-second business that displays the spirit of this historic event.

Your spot ought to seize the legacy, pleasure, and cultural affect of ABFF—whereas honoring its function as a launchpad for among the brightest Black expertise in movie and tv. Whether emotional, humorous, or fully surprising, your imaginative and prescient ought to highlight what ABFF has meant to the inventive neighborhood—and what this Homecoming means now. The profitable business(s) will function the official promotional marketing campaign throughout tv and digital platforms within the lead-as much as the 30th anniversary celebration in June 2026 in Miami Beach.

Prizes

• One (1) Grand Prize Winner Receives:
  • $10,000 cash prize
  • An all-expense paid journey to attend the 2026 ABFF in Miami Beach
  • Two DECO Passes for the 2026 ABFF
• Two (2) Runners-Up will each Receive:
  • $2,500 cash prize
  • Two DECO Passes for the 2026 ABFF

Eligibility

• Open to authorized residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico who’re 21 years of age or older on the time of participation.
• Ineligible members embrace staff, contractors, and officers of Nice Crowd, its mum or dad, associates, promoting and promotion businesses, in addition to their quick relations and people residing in the identical family (whether or not associated or not).

Judging Criteria

• Creativity & Originality (40%) – Unique storytelling and inventive imaginative and prescient
• Alignment with Theme (30%) – Effectively captures ABFF’s legacy and future
• Production Quality (20%) – Excellence in video and audio execution
• Cultural & Emotional Impact (10%) – Authentically displays Black tradition and storytelling

Submission Guidelines

• Length: Exactly 30 seconds
• Required Elements:
  • Include the 2026 competition dates: June 3–7, 2026
  • Include the official tagline: ABFF 30th Anniversary — “The Homecoming”
  • Align with ABFF’s mission and themes
• Format: 1920 x 1080 | High-resolution MP4 or MOV

Application

To enter the ABFF 30th Anniversary Commercial Competition, full the next:

• Upload your 30-second business through the designated submission platform.
• Include a quick inventive assertion (max 150 phrases) explaining your idea and inventive method.
• Attached signed Participants Release and Licensing Agreement (download)
• Attach signed launch varieties for all expertise, places, and any music used within the business.
• Ensure all content material is authentic and absolutely owned by you or your crew.

Click here to apply

For extra info, go to ABFF 30th Anniversary Commercial Competition.