The 30th American Black Film Festival (ABFF) wrapped in Miami Beach last week with a full slate of independent film and series screenings alongside its main programming. Among the titles that screened were three debut projects: 93 ‘Til, Sr.and Law’s World: Lipstick Bandit, all presented at O St. Cinema and the Miami Beach Convention Center as part of the festival’s competition programming.
’93 ‘Til’
Filmmaker Alterik Miller premiered his debut feature 93 ‘Til at O St. Cinema. The romance drama follows “a struggling artist painter on the brink of eviction and a vintage curator haunted by inherited dreams who skip the corporate futures they’re supposed to want and spend one day discovering whether love is worth the risk.”
Director Miller was joined at the post-screening Q&A by cast members Sophia Lucia Parola, LaRoyce Hawkins, Jason C. Louder and Keith Arthur Bolden. A 90s-themed premiere party followed at The Moxy Miami South Beach, hosted by Hawkins. Miller is in early conversations with distributors about a wide release. The film is written, directed and produced by Miller and co-produced by Petey McGee, with LaRoyce Hawkins, Richard Lee Noel, Romar Bennett, Sean Charles and Alicia Turner executive producing.
‘Sr.’
Baltimore filmmaker Toroes Thomas Jr. made his feature debut with Sr., also screening at O St. Cinema. The film follows “a struggling father who takes his two kids on the run from social services, shielding them from a harsh reality with the promise of a trip to the beach. As his son Junior waits for his father to keep that promise, he’s forced to grow up fast — confronting his father’s demons in a fight to get his family to their happy place.”
In a post-screening Q&A, Thomas revealed he began the project by writing down personal memories before finding the structure to shape them into a film. The project was supported by the Sauls Zaentz Innovation Fund at Johns Hopkins University. Thomas was joined by cast members Micaiah Jones and Donnell Jones. Sr. will continue screening on the festival circuit.
‘Law’s World: Lipstick Bandit’
Filmmaker and military veteran Law Artis screened his proof-of-concept short series Law’s World: Lipstick Bandit at the Miami Beach Convention Center as part of the ABFF Series Competition, also receiving a nomination for the 2026 Best of ABFF Series Award.
The series centers on Law Scott, “a charismatic, unapologetically pansexual sex blogger on the verge of his biggest career break — a house tour feature in Ebony magazine. When his narcissistic roommate becomes convinced her prized lipstick has been stolen, a full-blown investigation derails the shoot and exposes the gloriously messy dynamics of their found family.” Artis confirmed plans to release the series publicly later this year. The series is written, directed by and stars Artis, produced by Danae Grandison, with Bob Giraldi serving as executive producer.
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