ABFF Pop-Up Tour Hits DC This September for 3-Day Film Experience
The American Black Film Festival Pop-Up Tour makes its Washington DC debut this September with a three-day celebration of Black cinema, culture, and creativity.
In brief
The American Black Film Festival Pop-Up Tour makes its first-ever Washington DC stop this September, delivering a three-day immersive experience dedicated to Black film, storytelling, and culture. Produced in partnership with Events DC, the event brings the prestige of ABFF — one of the nation's foremost platforms for Black creative talent — directly to the District, no Miami trip required.
⚡ KEY TAKEAWAYS
The ABFF Pop-Up Tour makes its Washington DC debut in September 2026 — a first for the nation's capital.
The event runs for three days and is produced in partnership with Events DC, the city's official convention and sports authority.
ABFF, founded in 1997, is widely recognized as one of the most important platforms for Black film and television in the United States.
DC's selection signals the city's growing status as a hub for Black creative and cultural infrastructure — alongside its historic role as a majority Black metropolis.
The Pop-Up Tour format brings ABFF programming to multiple cities nationwide, expanding access beyond the flagship festival in Miami.
ABFF Brings Black Cinema's Biggest Stage to the District
Founded in 1997 by producer Jeff Friday, the American Black Film Festival has spent nearly three decades as the definitive platform for Black voices in Hollywood and independent film. Each year, ABFF's flagship event in Miami draws industry executives, emerging directors, and A-list talent for screenings, pitch competitions, and master classes. The Pop-Up Tour extends that mission across the country — and now, for the first time, it lands in DC.
The three-day Washington DC experience, presented in partnership with Events DC — the official convention and sports entertainment authority for the District — will bring the full ABFF ecosystem to local audiences. Expect film screenings, filmmaker Q&As, industry panels, and the kind of community energy that has made ABFF a cultural institution. Specific venue details and programming lineups are expected to be announced in the weeks ahead.
For a city with one of the most culturally engaged Black populations in America, this debut feels less like an arrival and more like a long-overdue homecoming. DC's creative class — from the storytellers working out of Brookland and Congress Heights to the producers with connections on both 16th Street and the studio lots — has long supported ABFF from a distance. September changes that.
Why Events DC Is Betting on Black Film Culture
Events DC has increasingly positioned the District as a destination for culturally significant events that reflect the city's identity, not just its political brand. The organization oversees venues including RFK Stadium, Entertainment and Sports Arena, and the Walter E. Washington Convention Center — and its partnership with ABFF signals a deliberate investment in Black cultural programming as economic and civic strategy.
According to Events DC, the organization has been expanding its cultural event portfolio to attract diverse audiences and drive hotel stays, restaurant spending, and neighborhood foot traffic citywide. A three-day film festival with ABFF's brand recognition is precisely the kind of anchor event that fills hotel rooms in Shaw, packs restaurants along 14th Street NW, and generates the kind of press that reaches creative industries nationwide.
It's also a smart play for talent pipeline. DC is home to Howard University — arguably the most important HBCU for film, television, and communications in the country — and a growing ecosystem of Black-owned production companies, media startups, and creative agencies. The ABFF Pop-Up creates a rare local opportunity for Howard students and DC-based filmmakers to access festival infrastructure without boarding a plane. Check out our full guide to Howard University and DC's HBCU creative scene for deeper context on why this connection matters.
DC's Black Creative Economy Gets a Festival-Grade Platform
Washington DC has never lacked Black creative talent — it has lacked infrastructure to showcase it at scale. The city that produced Duke Ellington, nurtured go-go music, and built a literary tradition through institutions like Politics and Prose and the DC Public Library system has historically watched its artists build careers elsewhere before receiving recognition at home.
ABFF's DC debut represents something different: a nationally recognized festival choosing the District as a destination, not a detour. For local filmmakers and content creators, it's a chance to screen work, make industry contacts, and situate DC on the map of cities that matter to Black Hollywood.
The Pop-Up Tour model itself is worth noting. Rather than requiring audiences to travel to Miami each summer, ABFF has built a touring circuit that democratizes access to its programming — NPR has covered ABFF's expanding national footprint as part of a broader shift in how Black cultural institutions are thinking about reach and community investment. DC's addition to that circuit puts the District alongside cities ABFF has identified as essential to the future of Black film culture.
For context on how DC stacks up as a cultural destination, see our Best of DC cultural guide and our DC Power Index tracking the city's most influential cultural forces.
Why This Matters in Washington
Washington DC is a majority-Black city with a political identity that has often overshadowed its cultural one. The ABFF Pop-Up Tour's September debut is a reminder that the District is not just a seat of government — it is a creative capital with stories to tell and audiences ready to receive them. At a moment when federal policy debates continue to shape the lived experience of Black Americans, having a festival dedicated to Black storytelling land in the shadow of the Capitol carries weight that extends beyond box office numbers.
The partnership between ABFF and Events DC also reflects the kind of civic-cultural investment that DC's creative community has been pushing for. When the city's official events infrastructure backs Black film, it signals that culture — not just conferences and sporting events — is part of DC's economic development strategy. That's a signal worth watching. Follow our Culture coverage and Power Moves for ongoing updates.
What to Expect: Screenings, Panels, and Industry Access
While the full programming schedule for the DC Pop-Up has not yet been announced, the ABFF format typically includes narrative and documentary film screenings, filmmaker conversations, industry networking events, and youth-focused programming. Past Pop-Up stops have featured appearances by established directors alongside emerging voices selected through ABFF's competitive submission process.
Ticket and registration information is expected through ABFF's official website and Events DC's event portal. Given that this is the festival's DC debut, demand from the city's film community, Howard University alumni network, and general cultural audiences is likely to be significant. Securing early access — once registration opens — will be the move for anyone serious about attending.
For those who want to make a full cultural weekend of it, DC's dining scene along U Street NW and H Street NE offers the ideal backdrop. See our DC Restaurant Power Rankings for the spots worth booking around the festival dates.
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FAQ: ABFF Pop-Up Tour Washington DC 2026
What is the ABFF Pop-Up Tour? The ABFF Pop-Up Tour is a traveling extension of the American Black Film Festival, bringing screenings, panels, and industry programming to cities across the United States. It allows ABFF to reach audiences beyond its annual flagship event in Miami.
When is the ABFF Pop-Up Tour coming to Washington DC? The Washington DC debut of the ABFF Pop-Up Tour is scheduled for September 2026, running as a three-day experience. Specific dates and venue information will be released by ABFF and Events DC ahead of the event.
Who is organizing the ABFF DC event? The event is produced in partnership with Events DC, the official convention and sports entertainment authority for the District of Columbia. ABFF, founded by Jeff Friday in 1997, leads the programming.
Is this the first time ABFF has come to Washington DC? Yes. The September 2026 Pop-Up is the first time the American Black Film Festival has held an official event in Washington DC. The city joins a national circuit of Pop-Up Tour stops.
How can DC residents get tickets to the ABFF Pop-Up? Ticket and registration details are expected to be announced through ABFF's official website at abff.com and through Events DC's event listings. Interested attendees should monitor both platforms for early registration opportunities.
Why is Washington DC a significant location for ABFF? DC is a majority-Black city and home to Howard University, one of the nation's leading HBCUs for film and communications. The city has a large, culturally engaged Black population and a growing creative economy that makes it a natural fit for a Black film festival of ABFF's stature.
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The bottom line: The American Black Film Festival Pop-Up Tour's Washington DC debut this September is more than a film event — it's a statement about the District's place in Black cultural life. Backed by Events DC and carrying nearly three decades of ABFF prestige, the three-day experience arrives at a moment when DC's creative community is asserting itself with renewed force. Whether you're a filmmaker, a cinephile, or simply someone who believes Black stories deserve the biggest possible stage, September in DC just got a lot more compelling.
What to watch next: Full programming announcements from ABFF and Events DC are expected in the coming weeks, including confirmed venues, featured filmmakers, and special guests. WDCM will have complete coverage as details drop — follow our Culture section and DC Power Players Index for updates on the District's most significant cultural moments of 2026.
Reporting drawn from: Events DC. Washington DC Magazine provides original analysis, DC-specific context, and editorial perspective beyond the source material.This article was produced with AI assistance and reviewed by WDCM editorial staff. Washington DC Magazine is committed to accuracy, transparency, and editorial integrity. If you believe any information in this article requires correction, please contact editor@washingtondcmagazine.com.
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CAN I KICK IT? screens New Jack City at the Sylvan Theater, Washington Monument, on Aug. 22. (Courtesy SHAOLIN JAZZ)
The live-cinema series CAN I KICK IT? returns to the National Mall this month with what its producers are calling the "Gangsters on the Mall" chapter of their free outdoor summer run. On Saturday, August 22, the SHAOLIN JAZZ production brings the 1991 crime classic New Jack City to the Sylvan Theater at the Washington Monument for a night of film, music, and community under the DC summer sky.
What sets the event apart is the sound. As the film plays, DJ 2-Tone Jones builds an original score in real time, reimagining one of the most iconic crime movies of the ’90s through hip-hop, soul, funk, and more. It is less a movie screening than a live performance built around the film.
The details:
Film: New Jack City (1991), with a live soundtrack by DJ 2-Tone Jones
When: Saturday, August 22 — seating opens at 7:30 p.m. (bring lawn chairs and blankets); film begins at 8:30 p.m.
Where: Sylvan Theater at the Washington Monument, Independence Ave SW & 15th St NW
A parking note from the organizers: expect road closures and restricted parking east of 14th Street NW due to a separate race event in the District. Roads west of 14th Street NW will be accessible and available for parking.
New Jack City is the second of three screenings in this year’s free CAN I KICK IT? outdoor series, which opened with Black Panther at Skyland Town Center and concludes with Scarface at the Lincoln Memorial on September 5. Produced by the Washington, DC-based multimedia arts company SHAOLIN JAZZ, the series has presented more than 150 live cinematic experiences at venues across the country, from Lincoln Center to SXSW.
"I wanted to be able to tell good stories with substance and remove the ‘ego’ out of the art," said Andrew Huang during a recent interview. Now, he’s building his career at the intersection of discipline, creativity and innovation.
Andrew Huang, founder of New Place Studios. (Courtesy photo)
As a Chinese American, Huang was reared with a deep respect for hard work, consistency and excellence. He describes his childhood as "not so affluent" and later attended college to hone his passion for videography. "In college I tried to do something I loved, which was video, but along the way I knew that I had to find a job. And so I thought, ‘what was the low hanging fruit to get to that stable 9 to 5 job?,’" he stated.
Later in life, Huang found himself working for corporations where his creativity was often limited, eventually leading to burnout. "I worked in a corporation for a long time and there were a lot of missing pieces. I wanted to fill in gaps missing in corporate video production," said Huang.
He later described how his upbringing and a mindset of "survival" led him toward a corporate career. However, his desire for balance and authentic storytelling ultimately pushed him to take the entrepreneurial leap.
"I founded a new place where you can create video and film with ‘substance and style,’" said Huang. His desire for work-life balance and passion for storytelling naturally evolved into a small business based in Virginia. With the launch of New Place Studios, the entrepreneur quickly found himself reconnecting with the values that would become the foundation of everything he creates behind the camera.
Huang said being a business owner has allowed him to first embrace himself. While others may see video as simply capturing moments, he sees it as a way to preserve stories that inspire, connect and leave a lasting imprint.
By combining cinematic visuals with cutting-edge production techniques and a keen understanding of branding, Huang helps organizations and individuals communicate their vision with purpose. He said understanding a client’s "why" serves as the compass for delivering the services they need.
One benefit of working with a small business, he said, is that clients get to see the production process unfold through a micro lens while working with the same faces throughout the entire project. "The work feels personal," said Huang.
Huang does not regret leaving behind the flash-over-substance mentality and corporate hustle culture. That does not mean the Asian American entrepreneur has been without challenges in the industry. "It’s relatively hard to find other Asian American creatives or people who would want to work with me in the DMV," said Huang.
He identifies the industry culture in which everyone is trying to blend in, creatives may fear displaying their Asian identity and some feel pressure to adopt an American corporate persona. He also points to what he describes as a level of gatekeeping within the industry. According to the U.S. Small Business Administration’s 2024 statistics, Asian American and Pacific Islander entrepreneurs own more than 3 million businesses and employ 5.2 million people in the United States.
After tapping into organizations such as SCORE, which offers free small business mentorship, New Place Studios has become a trusted creative partner throughout the DMV (Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia). The company produces a range of creative services, including commercials, corporate branding, documentaries, film, 2D animation, motion graphics and photography.
For Huang, entrepreneurship has become more than a departure from corporate life. It has given him the freedom to create with intention, build meaningful connections and tell stories that go beyond the surface.
The 2026 CAN I KICK IT? outdoor series. Poster courtesy of SHAOLIN JAZZ.
For three Saturdays this summer, some of Washington’s most familiar public spaces will do something they rarely do after dark: fill up with blankets, lawn chairs, and the sound of a movie being scored live, in real time. CAN I KICK IT?, the traveling “live cinema” series produced by the DC-based multimedia arts company SHAOLIN JAZZ, is bringing a free outdoor run to the city — pairing three era-defining films with an original soundtrack performed on the spot by DJ 2-Tone Jones.
The premise is what sets it apart from a normal screening in the park. Rather than simply pressing play, 2-Tone Jones builds a score as the film unfolds, pulling from hip-hop, soul, funk, jazz, rock, electronic music, and sounds from around the world. The result, the organizers say, is less a movie night than a one-time performance — the same film you know, wired to a soundtrack you have never heard and will not hear again. Guest DJs warm up the crowd starting at 7:30 PM before each 8:30 PM screening.
The 2026 outdoor schedule
All three events are free and open to the public.
Saturday, August 8 — Black Panther at Skyland Town Center. A pop-up marketplace and community activities kick off the evening; guest DJs at 7:30 PM, film at 8:30 PM. Marvel’s superhero epic gets a one-night-only live score in Southeast DC.
Saturday, August 22 — New Jack City at the Sylvan Theater, Washington Monument. Seating begins at 7:30 PM; the film starts at 8:30 PM. The 1991 crime drama plays out at the foot of one of the country’s most recognizable landmarks.
Saturday, September 5 — Scarface at the Lincoln Memorial. Seating at 7:30 PM; film at 8:30 PM. The series closes with Brian De Palma’s crime saga against the backdrop of the Memorial, scored live from start to finish.
First up: Black Panther at Skyland Town Center on August 8. Poster courtesy of SHAOLIN JAZZ.
A DC company with a national footprint
SHAOLIN JAZZ describes itself as a Washington-based arts company working at the intersection of music, film, art, and culture, and CAN I KICK IT? is its signature production. According to the organizers, the series has staged more than 150 live cinematic experiences around the country — at performing arts centers, museums, festivals, and cultural institutions including Lincoln Center in New York, SXSW, the Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Republic Square in Austin, the Tacoma Armory, and The Cary Theater.
“CAN I KICK IT? has always been about creating a shared experience,” said Gerald Watson, co-founder of SHAOLIN JAZZ. “When you combine iconic films with live music in public spaces, something special happens. People aren’t just watching a movie — they’re experiencing it together. That’s what makes these nights so memorable.”
Cinema as a community event
The DC run lands as cities across the country look for new ways to activate public space through arts and culture — and this series is a straightforward pitch for how to do it: take a landmark everyone already knows, add a film everyone has an opinion about, and let a live soundtrack turn the evening into something neighbors experience shoulder to shoulder. Families, film buffs, and music fans are all invited, and admission won’t cost a thing.
The CAN I KICK IT? outdoor series runs August 8, August 22, and September 5. All events are free; check SHAOLIN JAZZ (shaolinjazz.com) for the latest details and any weather updates before heading out.
