Photo credit: ABFF
Kerry Washington is stepping into a major new role with the American Black Film Festival. The Emmy-winning actor, producer and director will serve as the 2027 ABFF Ambassador when the festival celebrates its 31st annual event in Los Angeles.
The 2027 American Black Film Festival will take place May 20–23, 2027, in Los Angeles. The announcement comes after ABFF celebrated its 30th anniversary and begins a new chapter for the longtime celebration of Black film and television talent.
Kerry Washington joins ABFF’s next chapter
As ABFF Ambassador, Washington will support the festival’s mission to champion Black storytellers and expand career opportunities for emerging talent.
She will also help strengthen the creative community surrounding the festival as ABFF moves its annual event to Los Angeles.
Washington said she is honored to take on the role as ABFF enters its fourth decade.
The festival will feature film screenings, industry conversations, networking opportunities and cultural experiences. Organizers say the Los Angeles move will deepen ABFF’s connection to the entertainment industry.
Washington has a strong connection to storytelling
Washington has built a career across television, film, Broadway and production.
She became a household name through her role as Olivia Pope on ABC’s Scandal. The series earned widespread recognition and made Washington the first Black woman since 1974 to lead a network television drama.
Her work on Scandal earned two Emmy nominations, a Golden Globe nomination, a SAG nomination and two NAACP Image Awards.
Her film credits include Django Unchained, Ray, The Last King of Scotland, Save the Last Dance, Mr. and Mrs. Smith and Shadow Force. She also stars in Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery.
Simpson Street expands her creative impact
Washington launched her production company Simpson Street in 2016.
The company has produced projects including Netflix’s American Son, the Emmy-winning ABC special Live in Front of a Studio Audience, the documentary The Fight and Hulu series Little Fires Everywhere, Reasonable Doubt and UnPrisoned.
Simpson Street also produces Washington’s interview franchise Street You Grew Up On. The series recently expanded from YouTube into a weekly podcast created with Daylight.
Her Broadway credits include American Son and Race. As a producer, Washington also worked on Gypsy and Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch, both of which earned Tony Award nominations.
ABFF prepares for Los Angeles debut
ABFF founder Jeff Friday said Washington represents the spirit the festival has built over three decades.
Nicole Friday, president of NICE CROWD, also highlighted Washington’s longstanding connection to ABFF and its mission to create opportunities for artists.
The festival’s 2027 edition will bring screenings, conversations, industry events and cultural experiences to Los Angeles.
Festival passes are already on sale and provide advance reservation access to eligible screenings, conversations and special events.
Additional programming details will be announced in the coming weeks.
Kerry Washington’s next projects
Washington most recently starred in the Apple TV+ series Imperfect Women, where she also serves as an executive producer.
She will next appear in Ben Affleck’s Animals for Netflix.
Beyond entertainment, Washington has maintained a longstanding commitment to activism. She served on the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities during the Obama and Biden administrations.
In 2022, TIME recognized Washington as one of its Women of the Year.
Now, she will bring that experience to ABFF as the festival begins its Los Angeles chapter.
Source: American Black Film Festival / NICE CROWD
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