June 14 – Day 3 of the American Black Film Festival captivated attendees with a lineup of luminaries from film, television, and comedy.
The Legendary White Party exuded a familial warmth, with festival-goers reveling into the early morning hours. The highlight of the evening was a special appearance by up-and-coming Memphis rapper NLE Choppa, who joined Cory Hardrict and Meagan Good on stage. Following their remarks, he delighted the crowd with an impromptu performance of one of his hit singles.
During the Creator Conversations panel, Issa Rae engaged in a thought-provoking dialogue with Kenya Barris, the visionary behind the black-ish franchise. Barris voiced his concerns about “cancel culture,” stating, “The idea of cancel culture is something I do not support.” He stressed that “working in fear isn’t creative,” and expressed his eagerness to collaborate with Rae, promising to write a project specifically for her.
The afternoon featured a compelling discussion with the cast of All American—Daniel Ezra, Michael Evans Behling, Bre-Z, Cory Hardrict, and Geffri Maya—moderated by Blavity’s Trey Mangum. The cast reflected on the series and its profound impact. Simultaneously, P-Valley’s Nicco Annan captivated a full theater with the premiere of his latest project, Down in the Valley, which was met with enthusiastic applause.
The day wrapped up with the Because They’re Funny Comedy Show, which had the audience in stitches. The event showcased a stellar lineup of comedians, including Sir Abiola (Tracksuit Benny), Alfred Kainga, Anthony Oakes, Apple Brown Betty, Mason King, and Rashaun Reese, providing a perfect end to a memorable day.