African Movie Box (AMB), digital platform for African storytelling, filmmakers, audiences, and opportunities across the continent and diaspora, proudly participated in the New York African Film Festival (NYAFF) and the LightReel Film Festival in Washington, DC, May–June 2026. These collaborations mark a major milestone in AMB's mission to place African filmmakers and African stories at the centre of international cinema circuits, connecting the continent's most talented voices directly with North American industry audiences, distributors, and cultural institutions.

At NYAFF, AMB Co-CEO Stephanie Adusei-Boateng spoke on a panel and showcased a preview of her debut feature film The Return Ticket, starring Wavyy Jonez. She also screened two short films: the self-produced and directed Locked In and Knotless, which she also directed. At the LightReel Film Festival, AMB screened two feature films: Eyes of Ghana, a powerful exploration of identity, heritage, and resilience told through the Ghanaian lens, and King of Tema, a story about two desperate young men becoming reluctant pawns of a feared crime lord. Both titles reflect AMB's commitment to elevating African stories that are authentic, commercially compelling, and globally relevant.

Complementing the screenings at the LightReel Film Festival, AMB was featured at an industry panel, "IndustryInsights: In Conversation with African Movie Box," with Stephanie Adusei-Boateng, Co-CEO of AMB; Kindra Parker, Director of AMB Programs and Founder of the NGO African Movie Box Film Fund; and Kobina de Graft Johnson, Director of King of Tema. The panel addressed themes of funding, distribution, diaspora storytelling, and the infrastructure needed to sustain a thriving African film ecosystem.

Tim Gordon, founder of the LightReel Film Festival, said, "LightReel's 2026 festival theme is 'From the District to the Diaspora.' We are excited to strengthen the festival's connection to international Black storytelling and expand opportunities for filmmakers and audiences to engage with cinema beyond borders." Also sponsoring the LightReel festival and panel was Premium African Imports, the U.S. distributor for made-in-Ghana spirits Aphro and Sorabi.

These collaborations served as important platforms for Black cinema in North America. AMB's participation, as both a film presenter and programming partner, signaled a new chapter in the platform's U.S. exposure strategy and formed part of a broader initiative designed to engage diaspora communities across the United States.

Stephanie Adusei-Boateng, Co-CEO of African Movie Box, said, "Every filmmaker we support becomes a small business with a story the world deserves to see. AMB's presence at the New York African Film Festival and the LightReel Film Festival was a statement of intent; we brought the full weight of our continental network, our filmmaker community, and our institutional partnerships to the North American stage. African cinema is not a niche category. It is a global industry, and AMB is building the infrastructure to treat it as one."

For the latest updates on African Movie Box events visit www.africanmoviebox.com.

About African Movie Box

African Movie Box (AMB) is a digital film platform and creative economy infrastructure company dedicated to solving the systemic challenges facing African filmmakers. AMB operates through its core pillars: A Dedicated Digital Platform with advanced informatics and industry analytics; Community Programming including Industry Mixer events, masterclasses, and industry panels; and A Strategic Partnership Network spanning institutions, brands, and governments across Africa and the diaspora. AMB holds an official endorsement from the Office of the President of Ghana through the Diaspora Affairs Office. For more information, visit www.africanmoviebox.com.