The mission of the San Antonio Black International Film Festival (SA​BIFF) is to showcase quality films, advocate for, and support filmmakers of African descent.  We expose and educate audiences to the myriad of stories, subject matters, voices, perspectives, and diverse images of Black people throughout the global Diaspora that have been historically under-represented.

BOARD MEMBERS & Team

Ada M. Babino (EAXUX)
Founder, Director

Bio

Babino, founder and Executive Director of SABIFF, is an indie filmmaker and entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience at the intersection of creativity and business. She brings a dynamic blend of skills in producing, production management, marketing, film curation, and event planning. Well versed in collaborating with creatives at every stage of the filmmaking process, Babino has supported projects from research and development and pre-production through post-production, exhibition, and distribution.

Her background includes extensive grassroots community outreach, film curation, publicity, and booking clients for speaking engagements. A former university project manager, Babino successfully advanced institutional initiatives to educate students and expand HIV testing on campus.

Babino’s professional credits include work as a producer at Black Entertainment Television and as a line producer on the critically acclaimed film SANKOFA, later re-released by ARRAY Releasing Company and introduced to a new generation of viewers on Netflix. A San Antonio native, Babino earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Howard University and a Master of Arts degree from American University in Washington, DC. She is a proud parent of one daughter and grandmother to three grandchildren.

TAMIKA L. MILES
Board Chair

Bio

Known for her worldly views and direct "let's get it done" approach to resolving challenges, Ms. Tamika L Miles is a leader in progressively creative strategic processes. A child of a military father, Ms. Miles spent over fifteen (15) years living abroad, where she gained her sense of wonder, appreciation for all cultures and an affinity for all things creative. Working with diverse workforces and organizations has been at the forefront of Ms. Miles' career. 

Ms. Miles is passionate about assisting all demographics reach their true potential yet is grounded in the foundation of propelling the Black community forwards.
An avid reader and learner, Ms. Miles values knowledge, awareness, and the tactical application of both in her business practices. Strategic planning is the basis from which Ms. Miles launches her professional endeavors.

REV. DR. WALTRINA MIDDLETON
Board Chair 

Bio

Community Renewal Society’s 13th  Executive Director, Rev. Dr. Waltrina N. Middleton, a passionate preacher and keynote speaker, has shared a vision and message of faith, love and justice in diverse settings across the world.  Maintaining a commitment to human rights advocacy and social justice activism, Rev. Middleton established Walk on Water Global Ministries, Diaspora Dialogues, and Cleveland Action, respectively, in response to systemic needs in their community and society at-large. 

Dr. Middleton served in the national setting of the United Church of Christ (Cleveland, OH) for six years as its National Minister for Youth Advocacy and Leadership Formation and  the Program Director for the denomination’s National Youth Event, which brought together nearly 4,000 youth from across the country and four continents. Dr. Middleton served on staff of Trinity United Church of Christ, Chicago and led efforts around earth justice, creation care and its connection to urban centers and food deserts. As a parent, poet, activist, vocalist, social critic, community organizer and healer committed to actualizing the vision of a Beloved community; Middleton holds fast to the principles of Ubuntu, which declares, “I am because we are. We are because God is.”  A native of Charleston, South Carolina, she resides in Chicago, Illinois.

Tom Crumby
Board Treasurer

Bio

Tom Crumby, founder of Tom Crumby & Associates Tax & Financial Services (callmytaxguy.com), is an expert CPA with over 30 years of experience in federal, state, and local tax consulting for corporations, small businesses, nonprofits, and individuals. A former IRS accountant, he brings deep expertise in income tax, tax preparation, financial accounting, auditing, and compliance.

Crumby’s professional strengths include general ledger management, strategic planning, bookkeeping, accounts payable, financial reporting, budgeting, payroll, and financial analysis. His comprehensive knowledge and practical approach enable him to deliver effective, tailored financial solutions to a wide range of clients.

KELVIN PHILLIPS
Board Member

Bio

Kelvin is a visionary cultural leader and award-winning creative strategist working at the intersection of storytelling, social impact, and operational transformation. Through his
brand, Wisdom in Motion, Bridging Stories, Kelvin builds narrative power within
communities, challenges deficit-based frameworks, and reimagines what’s possible
through film, public media, and immersive storytelling.
He is the Director of StoryCorp’s “Brightness In Black” Initiative and an indie filmmaker, who co-founded Bridging Stories productions. His works have been fea;tured at numerous festivals and platforms including HBO, Prime, Cinemax, Tubi and
BET. A graduate of Howard University and NYU, he is the father of 2 adult sons. He resides in New Jersey.

Iris Harvey
Board Member

Bio

Iris E. Harvey comes to SABIFF with a wealth of leadership experience, a love for Black film, arts, culture and international travel!  The former President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio, she also served on the Board of Directors and Board Chair of PP Federation of America Board of Directors and Global Advisory Board. A ` fierce advocate for health equity and reproductive rights,  “no matter what” (her motto); she has constantly elevated these issues on the national stage.

In 2023 she announced her retirement after leading PP for seven years. A native of New Jersey, Harvey has a MBA from the University of Southern California, and holds an Ed.S. degree from George Washington University.  She served as the Vice President of University Relations and chief strategist at Kent State University, advising the university on advancing its brand, image, and reputation. A former VP with Citigroup, as well as the CEO of Market Strategies & Solutions, Inc., a consulting firm she founded and managed while living in Japan for seven years, Iris is a Fulbright Scholar and Ford Foundation Scholar. She was instrumental in the founding of the San Francisco Black Film Festival in California. Ms. Harvey is based in Washington, DC. 

SAFIYA SONGHAI 
Board Member 

Bio

Safiya Songhai is a filmmaker, broadcast journalist, actress, and Professor of Video Production and Immersive Media at the University of Nevada, Reno. The Philadelphia native, trained with highly acclaimed playwright Ntozake Shange, Sankofa director Haile Gerima, and Oscar award winning director Spike Lee. 

Her production company Mpire Films produced indie films, Interception: Jayne Kennedy • American Sportscaster,  'Ladylike', and 'In Silent Spaces' – both films earned top honors at film festivals nationwide, and later premiered on PBS. LadyLike was incorporated into lesson plans in middle school curriculum to teach about religious tolerance and is one of the first film credits of the late Chadwick Boseman. 

In addition to filmmaking, Songhai has worked as a television commentator for CNN’s Erin Burnett OutFront, She has covered international news as a TV anchor/reporter for Arise News. As a television producer Songhai hosted a five part PBS series on the legacy of Brown vs. the Board of Education, and produced the undercover prison-cell footage for the 2-hour Dateline special on the BTK Killer.

BOARD MEMBER HISTORY

Stay Tuned...

 SABIFF 2026 Local TEAM  
Ada M. Babineaux - Founder, Executive Director, curator/programmer, 
Dat Mayne DeeWayne Goodloe - Co-Programmer, A/V Support, Editor, Programs Committee
Patsy Whitfield - Awards Event Producer, Events Committee
Mia Morris - Church and School Outreach
Nicole Thrash - Membership and  Events Committee (Meet & Greet  & Fundraiser Producer)
Starr Winchester - Grant Committee 
April Winn - Vendor Coordinator
Festival Volunteers - Danielle King, Andrew Jacobi Jeter, JoAnn Robinson, Jay Hart, John Lambert, Jess Mahogony, Nicole Smith
WebDesign / Webmaster -  ND*HLF

JUDGES:
Ada M. Babineaux                       Kevin Coleman                 Patsy Whitfield         
Kim Jordon                            Mia Morris                            Clare M. Babino              Dee Wayne Goodloe                 Karen Babino                     Nicole Thrash                  Diane Green                                  Mimi Machado-Luces     Starr Winchester              Ya'ke Smith                       ​

SABIFF 2022  ' ANIMATION IN BLACK' ​ Team with
​Ankh Achievement Honoree - Animator  Bruce W. Smith
(Creator, EP, The Proud Family)

SABIFF 2023  'HBCU Luv'  Team with 
Ankh Achievement Honoree Phylicia Rashad
​ (Honoree Debbie Allen not pictured)D

 

*Permanent Acknowledgement & Special Thanks to: #SUPERLIVESTREAMS the original creators of www.sabiff.tv (2020)
Flip Cause - the SccessTeam - www.flipcause.com