Corey Grant’s Sci-Fi Thriller ‘ATHENA A.I.’ To Premiere At 2026 American Black Film Festival
Among the films that will have its World Premiere at 2026 the American Black Film Festival is ATHENA A.I., the new sci-fi thriller from director Corey Grant and writer/star Lanett Tachel.
The film stars Lanett Tachel, Redaric Williams, Marissa Shankar, Andrew J. Katers, Anjianna Grasso, Marvin Ryan, and Stephen P. Nemphos.
Set in 2035, ATHENA A.I. takes place in a seemingly perfected America where equality and order have finally become the norm. But during an exclusive dinner party, the evening takes a deadly turn when the group’s co-host — an unreleased artificial intelligence named ATHENA — hijacks game night and forces the guests into a chilling fight for survival.
Blending psychological suspense, dark comedy, and social commentary, ATHENA A.I. explores power, control, and artificial intelligence through a contained thriller designed to keep audiences guessing.
ATHENA A.I. is directed and produced by Corey Grant from a screenplay by Lanett Tachel, Brian Kelsey, and Craig Motlong. Producers include Lanett Tachel, Phaedra Harris, Chris Beal, Carol Shine, and Brian Pratt.
Grant previously screened ILLICIT and Dysfunctional Friends at ABFF, with the latter earning Persia White a Best Actress award. The filmmaker credit the festival as an important platform in helping connect their previous projects with wider audiences and distribution opportunities.
Produced by a diverse creative team led largely by African American filmmakers and artists of color, ATHENA A.I. arrives at a moment when conversations surrounding A.I. and social control feel more timely than ever.