The American Society of Magical Negroes (2024)

29 May 2025

The American Society of Magical Negroes (2024)

The American Society of Magical Negroes centres on Aren, a young man who is recruited into a secret society of magical Black people who dedicate their lives to a cause of utmost importance: making white people’s lives easier.  

Black Reel nominee Justice Smith (Pokémon: Detective Pikachu) stars as Aren, opposite Critics Choice nominees David Alan Grier (They Cloned Tyrone, The Colour Purple) and Drew Tarver (The Other Two), Emmy nominees Nicole Byer (Nailed It!) and Rupert Friend (Homeland, Obi-Wan Kenobi), and South African actress Nozipho Mclean (Westworld). 

Following its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, the satire won the 2024 Directors to Watch award at the Palm Springs International Film Festival for actor Kobi Libii (Madam Secretary, Transparent), who makes his feature debut as a writer-director here.