NICE CROWD, a leading events company spotlighting BIPOC creators, recently appointed writer, producer, and distinguished entrepreneur, Issa Rae, to the newly minted role of Creative Director for the 2024 American Black Film Festival (ABFF). In her role as the ABFF Creative Director, Rae—an ardent advocate for under-represented creators in Hollywood—will collaborate intimately with ABFF co-founders and producers, Nicole and Jeff Friday, in curating the festival lineup. Furthermore, she will bolster the festival’s objective of highlighting Black talent and unearthing new voices.
Formerly known as ABFF Ventures, NICE CROWD orchestrates year-round events encompassing comedy, health and wellness, food, and fine art. With a mission to accentuate BIPOC culture and achievements, the name NICE CROWD encapsulates the potency of communal gatherings.
“Issa Rae’s illustrious career has left an indelible mark on the entertainment domain, spanning a broad spectrum of roles both in front of and behind the camera, and a relentless advocacy for equitable representation and opportunities for Black creatives,” remarked ABFF co-founders and producers, Nicole and Jeff Friday. “We couldn’t think of a better partner to help us continue to embody the ABFF mission of showcasing Black talent — and discovering and amplifying new voices.”
“I’m honored to join NICE CROWD as Creative Director for the 2024 American Black Film Festival. As one of the first major festivals to showcase my work, ABFF continues to elevate Black creatives from the ground up, and I’m excited to join its co-founders and producers, Nicole and Jeff Friday, in that mission,” said Issa Rae.
“The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB) is honored to renew its support for ABFF and the remarkable influence the festival extends to Greater Miami’s tourism milieu,” said Connie Kinnard, Senior Vice President of Multicultural Tourism & Development for the GMCVB. “Under the stewardship of Nicole and Jeff Friday, ABFF sustains its dedication to illuminating diverse, emergent talent, which invariably enriches the Greater Miami and Miami Beach community.”
Since its inception, the eagerly awaited annual ABFF has emerged as a linchpin for diversity in Hollywood, premiering the works and bolstering the careers of numerous acclaimed filmmakers, actors, writers, and stand-up comedians. It is revered as a standard-bearer of excellence for Black creativity.
Rae’s affiliation with ABFF was earlier established when the festival featured some of her preliminary works. In 2022, she held the title of Ambassador. Known for her unique flair and captivating humor, Rae initially garnered attention for her award-winning web series and the accompanying New York Times best-seller, “The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl.” She is also the creator and star of the Peabody-award-winning HBO series Insecure, which earned her multiple Emmy® and Golden Globe® nominations. Rae’s cinematic endeavors include roles in BARBIE, INTO THE SPIDERVERSE, and the soon-to-be-released AMERICAN FICTION.
In 2020, Rae launched HOORAE, a versatile media conglomerate dedicated to pioneering content across various mediums, furthering the narrative of storytelling and representation. HOORAE encompasses HOORAE Media for film, TV, and digital; Raedio, the music label, music supervision entity, and “audio everywhere” company; and ColorCreative, its management division. Through a partnership with WarnerMedia, Issa expanded her Executive Producer portfolio with the Emmy-award nominated A BLACK LADY SKETCH SHOW and the critically lauded MAX series, RAP SH!T.
The 2024 ABFF has garnered sponsorship and partnership from notable entities including Cadillac, Comcast NBCUniversal (Presenting); City of Miami Beach, Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau (GMCVB), (Major); American Airlines, and Sony Pictures Entertainment (Official).
The 28th annual American Black Film Festival (ABFF) is scheduled to take place from June 12-16, 2024, in Miami Beach, Florida. For comprehensive details regarding the festival, including submission deadlines and instructions on acquiring an ABFF pass, please visit www.abff.com. For the latest updates, follow @AmericanBlackFilmFestival on both Instagram and Facebook.