Heading into its 29th edition this month, the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) has a long record of success stories, starting with that of the festival itself. As it marks 20 years in Miami, founder Jeff Friday is reflecting on those milestones. "I started in 1997 when I was just a young guy trying to create a space for Black and Brown filmmakers," he tells New Times . "That first year, we had 90 people. Now, more than 7,000 show up annually."

One of those early unknowns? Ryan Coogler. Yes, that Ryan Coogler.

"He got his start at our festival in 2011," Friday says proudly. "He won the HBO Short Film Award — $40,000. Used it to fund his next film. And now? Black Panther . Creed . Sinners . It's incredible."

Coogler is not the only artist the festival platformed before they bec

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