The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) has announced the full program for its Los Angeles Pop Up event, the final stop of the festival’s first-ever national Pop Up Tour. The event will take place on Saturday, December 13, and Sunday, December 14, 2025, at AMC The Grove 14.
The Pop Up Tour is a new ABFF initiative aimed at taking the festival experience to different cities across the United States. The 2025 tour has already visited New York, Atlanta, and Dallas. The Los Angeles edition is supported by Ally Financial, the founding sponsor.
Packed Weekend of Films and Conversations
The two-day event will feature film screenings, celebrity conversations, and special presentations from industry leaders.
Creating Creatures in 3D – NYFA Presentation
The weekend opens with a session led by Hollywood creature creator Craig Caton. He will explain how realistic characters and creatures are made for films. The session will include live demonstrations and audience participation.
Tika Sumpter in Conversation
Actress and producer Tika Sumpter will join Jack Howard from Ally for a fireside chat about creative ownership, personal money choices, and building a life based on values. The session aims to inspire women to take control of their personal stories.
Prime Video’s CROSS Season 2 Screening
Fans of the hit series CROSS will get an exclusive first look at the opening episode of Season 2, ahead of its official release in February 2026. After the screening, showrunner Ben Watkins and cast members Matthew Lillard, Johnny Ray Gill, and Stacie Greenwell will discuss what viewers can expect in the new season.
HBO Short Film Showcase
On Saturday night, ABFF will screen five films selected from thousands of entries. The filmmakers will join the audience afterwards for a conversation about their work and the importance of Black storytelling.
Sunday Line-Up Highlights
Swimming Against The Current – AARP
This session will highlight the inspiring “Harlem Honeys and Bears” synchronized swim team, showing how older adults continue to break barriers and live active, joyful lives.
A Creator Conversation with Salli Richardson-Whitfield
Emmy-nominated director and executive producer Salli Richardson-Whitfield will speak about her journey in film and television. She will discuss her work on major productions such as The Gilded Age and Winning Time, and share insights on leadership and representation in Hollywood.
Hoops, Hopes & Dreams Screening – Andscape
The event will close with a documentary screening about how Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and civil rights leaders used basketball courts to connect with young voters—a strategy that later influenced President Barack Obama’s campaign.
ABFF Pop Up Tour
The 2025 Pop Up Tour visited four major U.S. cities:
- New York: October 25–26
- Atlanta: November 8–9
- Dallas: November 15–16
- Los Angeles: December 13–14
The Los Angeles stop marks the final event on the tour.
About ABFF
Founded in 1997 by Jeff Friday, the American Black Film Festival is one of the most important platforms for Black filmmakers, actors, and storytellers. The festival has helped launch the careers of many well-known Hollywood
