The American Black Film Festival closed its 30th anniversary edition by announcing major Best of ABFF Awards 2026 winners, with “Girl Dad” and “Three Colors: Pan-African” sweeping U.S. Narrative Feature honors. The Oscar-qualifying HBO Short Film Award went to
When the American Black Film Festival wrapped its final full day of programming for its 30th anniversary edition, the celebration didn’t slow down—it landed on a room full of filmmakers and performers with one clear message: independent storytelling, recognized at full volume.
The Best of ABFF Awards 2026 winners were announced after the event was hosted by New York Times best-selling author and award-winning comedian KevOnStage. The night also featured an electric performance by Grammy winner Anthony Hamilton.
Jeff Friday. president of festival organizer Nice Crowd. put the moment into words in a statement. saying. “The Best of the ABFF Awards has always been about honoring the brilliance and resilience of independent creators. ” adding that. as the festival celebrates its 30th year. “it is incredibly poetic to welcome back Steven Caple Jr. a filmmaker whose journey from our short film competition to global blockbuster success embodies the very mission of this festival.” Friday added. “We are proud to celebrate him alongside this year’s exceptional nominees.”.
The U.S. Narrative Feature awards became the night’s focal point. Anthology film “Three Colors: Pan-African” took the Grand Jury Prize, while the coming-of-age drama “Girl Dad” won the Screenwriting Award. The writers behind “Girl Dad. ” Solvan “Slick” Naim and Lane Williamson. were honored for their work. and the Performance Award in the U.S. Narrative Feature category landed in a tie.
Marsai Martin won for “Girl Dad,” alongside Bashir Salahuddin, who was recognized for “Three Colors: Pan-African.” The Directing Award in the U.S. Narrative Feature category went to “Otra” filmmaker Armani Ortiz.
Beyond the U.S. competition, the Best of ABFF Awards 2026 also named winners across international, episodic, and documentary categories. The International Narrative Feature Grand Jury Prize went to “Small Gods.” For episodic storytelling. “The Comic Shop” earned the Episodic Series Grand Jury Prize. The Documentary Feature Grand Jury Prize was awarded to “Black Is Beautiful: The Kwame Brathwaite Story.”.
One of the festival’s biggest draws remains the Oscar-qualifying HBO Short Film Award Showcase. a program with notable alumni including Ryan Coogler and Reinaldo Marcus Green. This year’s winner was “Spilled Milk,” written and directed by Jared Leaf. The film was produced by Oscar winner Jordan Peele and stars J. Alphonse Nicholson, Jerry O’Connell, Scott “Kid Cudi” Mescudi, and Brandon Perea.
And for a full-circle kind of finale, the ABFF Alumni Award went to “Creed II” and “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts” director Steven Caple Jr.—a return that tied the festival’s roots to where its talent can ultimately land.
Here is the full winners list for the Best of ABFF Awards 2026:
U.S. Narrative Feature (Grand Jury Prize): “Three Colors: Pan-African”
Directing Award (U.S. Narrative Feature): Armani Ortiz (“Otra”) *Sponsored by Ally Financial
Screenwriting Award (U.S. Narrative Feature): Solvan Slick Naim & Lane Williamson (“Girl Dad”) *Sponsored by Amazon MGM
Performance Award (U.S. Narrative Feature) — TIE: Marsai Martin (“Girl Dad”) and Bashir Salahuddin (“Three Colors: Pan-African”)
International Narrative Feature (Grand Jury Prize): “Small Gods”
Episodic Series (Grand Jury Prize): “The Comic Shop”
Documentary Feature (Grand Jury Prize): “Black Is Beautiful: The Kwame Brathwaite Story”
HBO Short Film Award: “Spilled Milk” *Sponsored by Warner Bros. Discovery/HBO
ABFF Alumni Award: Steven Caple Jr.
ABFF Awards 2026 American Black Film Festival Girl Dad Three Colors: Pan-African Spilled Milk HBO Short Film Award Steven Caple Jr Marsai Martin Bashir Salahuddin Solvan Slick Naim Lane Williamson Armani Ortiz KevOnStage Anthony Hamilton Jordan Peele Jared Leaf