The 29th annual American Black Film Festival (ABFF), held June 12–14, 2025 at Miami Beach’s New World Center, is introducing a new cultural dimension: visual art. In partnership with the Art in Black Foundation, ABFF will unveil The South African Collective—a first-of-its-kind exhibition merging contemporary South African visual art with the festival’s established film and storytelling platform.

Curated by Allana Foster Finley of Cur8Africa, the collection leverages the Art in Black Foundation's mission to blend visual practices and narrative. Founded in 2024 by Ellis Friday—with support from Nicole and Jeff Friday—the foundation aims to bridge global Black artistic expressions across disciplines.

Jeff Friday, ABFF founder, reflects on the collaboration:

“This exhibition is an exciting step forward in ABFF’s mission to uplift global Black creatives… where African art and cinematic storytelling can exist in conversation”.

Artists in Focus

The showcase spotlights five contemporary artists from Southern Africa:

1. Steve Maphoso (Angola) – Self-taught, exploring migration and brotherhood via acrylic and charcoal, centring on twins guided by ancestral rites.

2. Thabiso Dakamela (Venda/Ndebele) – Uses bold blues to explore dual identities and emotion; founder of DKS Project House for artists.

3. Assan Taylor (South Africa) – Textured mixed-media portraits merging traditional and contemporary motifs with gold leaf and found materials.

4. Siyabonga Mlambi (Nguni origin) – Creator of Khanda‑Art Superblur African Synthetic Cubism, combining fabric, stones, and paint for spiritual unity.

5. Ayanda Moyo (Zimbabwe) – Charcoal and acrylic pieces delving into identity and shared human stories through expressive, reflective mark-making.

Significance in Context

This exhibition represents ABFF’s first foray into visual art, enriching narrative exchanges between film and fine arts. By spotlighting these artists, the festival introduces global audiences to innovative Southern African practices—strengthening a shared Black cultural dialogue.

Melissa Foster Finley’s curation and the immersive South African art tour that led to this collective underline a commitment to building meaningful, cross-cultural connections in creative spaces.

Why It Matters

• Marks ABFF’s expansion beyond film—into visual storytelling.

• Showcases contemporary African voices in Miami’s cultural spotlight.

• Reinforces the Art in Black Foundation’s mission of promoting cross-disciplinary Black creativity.

Sources:

• Business Wire – American Black Film Festival Partners… abff.com+1abff.com+1abff.com+10businesswire.com+10uk.finance.yahoo.com+10

• ABFF Miami – Event Lineup & Art & Culture Program uk.finance.yahoo.com+5abff.com+5instagram.com+5

• Bastille Post – ABFF & Art in Black Foundation Collaboration abff.com+9bastillepost.com+9m.facebook.com+9