ABFF 2023 Highlights: Panels For ‘All American,’ ‘I’m A Virgo,’ ‘Found’ And More; ‘The Perfect Find’ Charms Miami

The American Black Film Festival had another successful showing during Juneteenth weekend, with panels and screening of many of the most buzzed-about films and TV shows.

On June 14, the festival kicked off with Netflix’s upcoming film They Cloned Tyrone. Director Juel Taylor and stars John Boyega and Teyonah Parris were in attendance with director Juel Taylor, MACRO founder Charles King nd more. They Cloned Tyrone drops on Netflix in July.

Netflix also charmed with a screening of The Perfect Find with stars including Gabrielle Union, Keith Powers, Gina Torres and director Numa Perrier. The film bows on Netflix this weekend.

The cast of Bounce TV’s Act Your Age, including Yvette Nicole Brown, Kym Whitley and Alyson Fouse, held a conversation prior to the screening of the series, and Terrence J. moderated a conversation with the cast and filmmakers behind The Blackening.

“Throughout the film, the theme was friends fighting for their lives and loyalty and that’s what we think Juneteenth is about which is why we wanted to release it during this timeframe,” said The Blackening star Antoinette Robertson. Co-star Jermaine Fowler also added, “Everyone should support The Blackening to celebrate Black people creating in the horror genre with success.”

Shadow and Act Managing Editor Trey Mangum moderated the panel for CW’s All American June 16. The cast talked about the importance of on-screen representation and their experiences with mental health.

Festival-goers were able to take in a screening of Boots Riley’s new series, I’m a Virgo, while others were able to attend a first look screening of a featurette about The Color Purple called The Color Purple – A Bold New Take On a Beloved Classic.

The Color Purple star Taraji P. Henson said about the film, “This film is a part of our culture and who we are, it’s our multiverse and it’s our family. I recall seeing all of the Black actors on the screen growing up and it gave me the strength to pursue my dream. Back then we didn’t get as many opportunities to be seen, as we do today.”

Queen Latifah also moderated a clips and conversations event featuring six filmmakers and their work. She said how the event is helping keep Black filmmakers in the conversation of Hollywood.

“We are trying to create a space for Black filmmakers and story writers to have an opportunity to create,” she said. “We have to keep the pipeline going generations after generations.”

Other panels throughout the four-day event also included panels for TV series Found, starring Shanola Hampton, and Killing It, starring Craig Robinson.

Other notable films and TV series that screened included Donyale Luna: Supermodel, Kirk Franklin’s Thursdays are for Lovers, the Deon Cole-led BET+ series Average Joe and more.