Our Networking Guide To Navigate This Summer's Biggest Conferences

American Black Film Festival: June 13 - 17, 2018

If you are an actor, filmmaker, or just have the love of black cinema, the 22nd annual American Black Film Festival is the place for you. It's held in Miami every year and is a place our favorite celebrities attend each year to talk about their new projects. "For African American women, I think regardless of if you're in the industry or not, it's a festival that offers an array of celebrity panels, workshops, networking opportunities, parties, and screenings that can help with career enhancement, personal growth, and just a genuinely good time! You would benefit most if you're someone who is interested in all the above while also looking to be in an environment that promotes sisterhood, black excellence, and creativity," Alaina Pinkney, founder of Electric Heart Media explained.

Alaina Pinkney

Networked Her Way to A Job & A Husband

Alaina started attending ABFF in 2012 and met her husband the first year she attended. "I met my husband here the first year we both attended and it just proves that being in a room with people who look like you, talk like you, and have similar goals as you, is a great space to meet and connect with people who are on your path," she shared.

She started as a volunteer that year because she is a screenwriter who wanted the opportunity to meet other black artists at the conference and now works as festival staff. "The networking I've been able to do by repeatedly coming every year and continuing to grow relationships with people I've met here in passing has helped open personal doors for myself and my marketing and branding company Electric Heart Media, LLC. People that I've met through ABFF have led me to global opportunities to work with some amazing brands and companies on incredible projects. ABFF is one of the most respected festivals around and to be associated with that type of excellence has given me access to people and areas in the industry that would have taken me longer had I tried to knock on doors on my own," Alaina continued.

Heighten Your Social Presence

Besides having your business cards on deck, Alaina suggests being active on social media throughout your time at the festival.

"Get your social media game up so you can easily add people and be easily found since social networking is just as important nowadays as exchanging phone numbers."

I believe networking at any festival requires a level of openness and accessibility that only comes when you're in a mindset to meet, greet and repeat. You have to be approachable for people to inquire about what you do, who you are, and what you can offer. You need to use your voice to approach and greet people without fear; a level of freedom that can turn any conversation from a hello to a how can we help each other.

Mind Your Social Cues

When mingling in a room of celebrities and gatekeepers in your industry, it's important to understand etiquette and body language. "I think if you're a writer, an actor, a director, make a plan of attack using the ABFF schedule to plant yourself in the right rooms to meet the right people and make the right connections so you can leave the festival feeling satisfied and fulfilled. Know the right time to strike and always read body language and recognize social cues that people are giving. I've seen a lot of hungry filmmakers push their ideas on people who are clearly uninterested or just not present in the moment. It goes back to my statement about seeing these people again if you attend other festivals and events. Sometimes you need to build slow, build trust, make the initial connection, and then treat life like a chess game and make strategic moves to reach your target long after," explained Alaina.

"Know the right time to strike and always read body language and recognize social cues that people are giving."

Places to Network

Alaina suggests visiting Betsy Hotel, Nikki Beach, Loews South Beach Hotel, and Nautilus Hotel throughout the festival for activities and run-ins with celebrities or Black Hollywood's tastemakers. Plan to use those hotels as spots to schedule lunch, dinner, or drinks with people you meet at the festival. "There's plenty of talent workshops and opportunities and networking lounges that you can easily find a new tribe of other creatives or enthusiasts if you set your sights on being on the right places that best serve your goals at the festival. The festival parties and post-panel/workshops are the best gateway locations to find yourself surrounded by like-minded people who are on a similar journey as you."

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