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American Black Film Festival Honors Announces 2025 Honorees & Show Date of February 17

Hosted by Zainab Johnson, ABFF Honors Celebrates Legendary Performers Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Giancarlo Esposito and Keke Palmer

LOS ANGELES, CA (December 11, 2024) – The 7th American Black Film Festival (ABFF) Honors announced today the honorees of its annual awards ceremony recognizing excellence in the motion picture and television industry. Presented by NICE CROWD, the 2025 ABFF Honors will take place on Monday, February 17 at the SLS hotel in Beverly Hills, CA, hosted by actress and comedian Zainab Johnson. The intimate, non-televised dinner will feature ABFF honorees and festival partners.

The 2025 ABFF Honors recipients are:

  • Excellence in the Arts Award (Female) – an Oscar-nominated actress, acclaimed for her portrayal of Oracene Price in King Richard, which earned her numerous awards and nominations, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor will soon star in the adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel Nickel Boys. This award recognizes a highly acclaimed artist for their body of work and distinguished career achievements
  • Excellence in the Arts Award (Male) – an Emmy-nominated and award-winning actor, director, and producer, celebrated for his iconic role as Gustavo “Gus” Fring in Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, Giancarlo Esposito has earned multiple accolades including Critics’ Choice and NAACP Image Award. This award recognizes a highly acclaimed artist for their body of work and distinguished career achievement.
  • Renaissance Award – an Emmy award-winning multihyphenate entertainer, Keke Palmer (Nope, Turnt Up With the Taylors) is singer/songwriter, producer, author, television host, and passionate voice of the millennial generation. This award is presented to a trendsetting content creator in recognition of their outstanding work and commitment to championing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the motion picture and television industry, through their work.

“For decades, these incredible ABFF honorees have captivated audiences and shaped the cultural landscape with their groundbreaking work,” said NICE CROWD CEO and President Jeff and Nicole Friday. “It’s a privilege to honor Aunjanue, Giancarlo and Keke for their extraordinary contributions to both the industry and our shared culture. This year is particularly special as we welcome Zainab Johnson as the host of the ABFF Honors, celebrating her inspiring journey from winning the 2013 ABFF Comedy Wings Competition to now leading this incredible celebration. We look forward to recognizing their remarkable achievements and coming together with our amazing ABFF community to honor their lasting impact.”

Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor is an Oscar-nominated actress, acclaimed for her portrayal of Oracene Price in King Richard, which earned her numerous awards and nominations, will soon star in the adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel Nickel Boys. She recently appeared in Exhibiting Forgiveness, The Supremes at Earl’s All You Can Eat with Uzo Aduba and Sanaa Lathan, and Ava DuVernay’s Origin, earning praise for her role as Isabel Wilkerson. On television, she starred in Justified: City Primeval, earned Emmy nods for When They See Us and Lovecraft Country, and received accolades for The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel. Her celebrated body of work also includes If Beale Street Could Talk, The Birth of a Nation, The Help, and the award-winning miniseries The Book of Negroes.

Giancarlo Esposito, an Emmy-nominated and award-winning actor, director, and producer, is celebrated for his iconic role as Gustavo “Gus” Fring in Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, earning multiple accolades including Critics’ Choice and NAACP Image Awards. Known for his versatility, he stars as Moff Gideon in Disney+’s The Mandalorian, Stan Edgar in Amazon Prime’s The Boys, and has led projects like Netflix’s Kaleidoscope and AMC’s Parish. Esposito’s filmography includes The Usual Suspects, Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing, Beauty, and Megalopolis. Upcoming projects include Captain America: Brave New World, the Russo Brothers’ The Electric State, and Shonda Rhimes’ The Residence. He continues to captivate audiences across film, television, and streaming platforms with his powerful performances and remarkable range.

Keke Palmer is a multi- Emmy Award winning actress and television host, singer/songwriter, producer, NY Times best-selling author and a passionate voice of the millennial generation. She rose to fame at 12 with her breakout role in Akeelah and the Bee and has since starred in over 25 films and 30 TV shows, including True Jackson, VP. Recently, Keke starred in Jordan Peele’s blockbuster Nope and hosted NBC’s Password with Jimmy Fallon, earning the 2023 Emmy for Outstanding Host for a Game Show. In addition to releasing her new book, Master of Me: The Secret to Controlling Your Narrative, Palmer is set to star in the upcoming TriStar Pictures’ film One of Them Days. As CEO of KeyTV and Big Bosses Entertainment, she champions diverse creators and democratizes entertainment. Palmer has made history as the youngest SAG-nominated actress in a lead role, the first Black Cinderella on Broadway, and the youngest talk show host in history, continuing to break barriers across her remarkable career.

ABFF Honors is the American Black Film Festival’s annual awards season gala dedicated to recognizing excellence in the motion picture and television industry. Founded in 2016, the ceremony pays tribute to Black artists who have made significant contributions to American entertainment through their work as well as those who champion diversity and inclusion in Hollywood.

ABFF Honors stems from the American Black Film Festival (ABFF), founded by Jeff Friday in 1997, the leading festival of its kind showcasing Black storytelling. Since its inception, the ABFF has been dedicated to supporting Friday’s conviction that Black artists deserve the same opportunities as their mainstream counterparts. Having premiered the work and encouraged the careers of many of today’s most successful filmmakers and actors, the ABFF has become the standard-bearer of excellence for Black American creativity.

ABFF Honors is executive produced by Nicole and Jeff Friday (NICE CROWD) in association with dePasse Jones Entertainment and Rikki Hughes (Magic Lemonade). Sponsors for the event to date include: Cadillac, Ally (Presenting), and Sony Pictures Entertainment, Fulton Films GA (Supporting), and SLS Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Beverly Hills (Industry).

For more information about ABFF Honors visit www.abffhonors.com. Follow @AmericanBlackFilmFestival on Instagram and Facebook, and @ABFF on X.

About NICE CROWD
NICE CROWD is a Los Angeles-based live events company that develops and produces properties that showcase BIPOC culture and talent. The company’s flagship event is the American Black Film Festival, founded in 1997.

To learn more about NICE CROWD events, visit www.nicecrowd.com.

Media Contact:
[email protected]

Download 2025 ABFF Honoree Photos: HERE

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American Black Film Festival Honors Announces Additional Honoree, Kelvin Harrison Jr., as the Recipient of the 2024 Rising Star Award

Hosted by Tommy Davidson, ABFF Honors to Celebrate Legendary Performer Garrett Morris, Taraji P. Henson, Jeffrey Wright, and Mara Brock Akil and Announce the ABFF Fan Favorite Movie of the Year

LOS ANGELES, CA (February 6, 2024) – The 6th American Black Film Festival (ABFF) Honors announced today that Kelvin Harrison Jr. (Nat Geo’s Genius: MLK/X, Chevalier) is the recipient of the 2024 Rising Star Award which is presented to a contemporary artist in acknowledgement of their recent success and future promise in the film and television industry. The 2024 ABFF Honors is presented by NICE CROWD and will take place on Sunday, March 3rd at the SLS hotel in Beverly Hills, CA, hosted by actor and comedian Tommy Davidson. Guests at the intimate, non-televised dinner will include ABFF honorees and festival partners.

As previously announced, the ABFF Honors will also celebrate legendary performer Garrett Morris; Academy Award nominated, Emmy nominated, and Golden Globe-winning actor, filmmaker, and activist Taraji P. Henson; Tony, Emmy, AFI, and Golden Globe Award-winning actor Jeffrey Wright, and groundbreaking writer and producer Mara Brock Akil. The ABFF Fan Favorite Movie of the Year will also be announced at the show. Nominees in that category include: A Thousand and One, directed by A.V. Rockwell; American Fiction, directed by Cord Jefferson; Origin, directed by Ava DuVernay; The Color Purple, directed by Blitz Bazawule; They Cloned Tyrone, directed by Juel Taylor; The Equalizer 3, directed by Antoine Fuqua.

“It is amazing to see ABFF honorees, past and present, thrive in the industry; and as we move towards tomorrow, we want to spotlight the next generation of luminaries. We are thrilled to celebrate Kelvin Harrison Jr. as our Rising Star honoree alongside Garrett, Taraji, Jeffrey, and Mara,” said NICE CROWD CEO and President Jeff and Nicole Friday.

Kelvin Harrison Jr. is known for bringing to life some of the most dynamic and diverse characters on screens both big and small. In the past couple of years, Kelvin has been recognized for his incredible talents as a SAG award winner along with the ensemble cast of 2020’s Oscar nominated The Trial Of The Chicago 7. In 2019 he captivated audiences in the drama Luce in which he leads as the title character opposite Octavia Spencer, Tim Roth and Naomi Watts. The film first premiered in competition at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival and was released to great critical acclaim resulting in Independent Spirit Award and BAFTA nominations for both Harrison and the film. That same year, Kelvin starred in the A24 drama Waves which garnered early Oscar buzz coming out of the Telluride and Toronto Film Festivals. Waves was his second film with director Trey Edward Shults and reviews singled out his performance as “brilliant”, “excellent” and a “knockout”, which earned him multiple nominations and awards. He is currently starring in Genius: MLK/X as Martin Luther King Jr.

ABFF Honors is the American Black Film Festival’s annual awards season gala dedicated to recognizing excellence in the motion picture and television industry. Founded in 2016, the ceremony pays tribute to Black artists who have made significant contributions to American entertainment through their work as well as those who champion diversity and inclusion in Hollywood. In addition to the individual honors, the ceremony includes a competitive award; the “Fan Favorite Movie of the Year” as determined by popular vote of the festival’s alumni.

ABFF Honors stems from the American Black Film Festival (ABFF), founded by Jeff Friday in 1997, the leading festival of its kind showcasing Black storytelling. Since its inception, the ABFF has been dedicated to supporting Friday’s conviction that Black artists deserve the same opportunities as their mainstream counterparts. Having premiered the work and encouraged the careers of many of today’s most successful filmmakers and actors, the ABFF has become the standard-bearer of excellence for Black American creativity.

ABFF Honors is executive produced by Nicole and Jeff Friday (NICE CROWD) in association with dePasse Jones Entertainment and Rikki Hughes (Magic Lemonade). Sponsors for the event include: Cadillac (Presenting), Amazon MGM Studios (Premier), Sony Pictures Entertainment (Supporting) and Fulton Films (Supporting).

For more information about ABFF Honors visit www.abffhonors.com. Follow @AmericanBlackFilmFestival on Instagram and Facebook, and @ABFF on X.

About NICE CROWD
NICE CROWD, formerly ABFF Ventures, is a Los Angeles-based live events company that develops and produces properties in the arts, entertainment, lifestyle and wellness industries that showcase BIPOC culture and talent. The Company’s tentpole event is the American Black Film Festival, founded in 1997.

To learn more about NICE CROWD events, visit www.nicecrowd.com.

Media Contact:
[email protected]

For 2024 ABFF Honoree Photos please use this link: HERE

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American Black Film Festival Honors Announces 2024 Honorees & 2024 Show Date of March 3rd

Hosted by Tommy Davidson, ABFF Honors to Celebrate Legendary Performer Garrett Morris, Taraji P. Henson, Jeffrey Wright, and Mara Brock Akil and Announce the ABFF Fan Favorite Movie of the Year

LOS ANGELES, (January 24, 2024) – The 6th American Black Film Festival (ABFF) Honors announced today the honorees of its annual awards ceremony recognizing excellence in the motion picture and television industry. Presented by NICE CROWD, the 2024 ABFF Honors will take place on Sunday, March 3rd at the SLS hotel in Beverly Hills, CA hosted by actor and comedian Tommy Davidson. Guests at the intimate, non-televised dinner will include ABFF honorees and festival partners.

The ABFF Honors and recipients are:

  • Hollywood Legacy Award – actor, comedian, writer, singer, and first Black cast member of Saturday Night Live, Garrett Morris (The Jamie Foxx Show, 2 Broke Girls, Martin); Presented to a trailblazing artist whose work (four decades or more) has inspired generations and made an enduring contribution to film and television.
  • Excellence in the Arts Award (Female) – Golden Globe-winning and Academy Award-nominated actress Taraji P. Henson (Empire, Hidden Figures, The Color Purple); Honoring a highly acclaimed artist in recognition of their body of work and distinguished career achievement.
  • Excellence in the Arts Award (Male) – Emmy Award, Golden Globe, and Tony Award winner Jeffrey Wright (Basquiat, Westworld, American Fiction); Honoring a highly acclaimed artist in recognition of their body of work and distinguished career achievement.
  • Industry Visionary Award – screenwriter and producer Mara Brock Akil (Girlfriends, The Game, Being Mary Jane); Presented to a trendsetting content creator in recognition of their outstanding work and commitment to championing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the motion picture and television industry, through their work.

ABFF FAN FAVORITE MOVIE OF THE YEAR

Presented in recognition of the year’s most outstanding narrative feature-length motion picture directed by a person of African descent. To be eligible, films must have a minimum running time of 72 minutes and a theatrical or streaming release date between January 1, 2023 and December 31, 2023.

The nominees and winner are determined by an online poll of the more than one hundred thousand (100,000) festival alumni. The winning film is revealed during the ABFF Honors ceremony.

2024 Nominees:

  • A Thousand and One, directed by A.V. Rockwell (Sight Unseen Pictures, Hillman Grad, Makeready) – Focus Features
  • American Fiction, directed by Cord Jefferson (Orion Pictures, MRC, T-Street, Almost Infinite, 3 Arts Entertainment) – Amazon MGM Studios
  • Origin, directed by Ava DuVernay, (ARRAY Filmworks) – Neon
  • The Color Purple, directed by Blitz Bazawule (Harpo Films, Amblin Entertainment) – Warner Bros.
  • They Cloned Tyrone, directed by Juel Taylor (Federal Films) – Netflix
  • The Equalizer 3, directed by Antoine Fuqua (Columbia Pictures) – Sony Pictures Entertainment

“For decades, these esteemed ABFF Honorees have elevated their projects, and brought joy to audiences across the world,” said NICE CROWD CEO and President Jeff and Nicole Friday. “It is our honor to recognize Garrett, Taraji, Jeffrey, and Mara for all their contributions to culture and the industry throughout their remarkable careers. We look forward to celebrating their many achievements and gathering with our fantastic ABFF partners.”

Garrett Morris is a TV legend to generations of loyal viewers. Having most recently been a series regular on CBS’ 2 Broke Girls, Garrett is beloved by generations of TV watchers as one of Saturday Night Live’s original “Not Ready for Prime Time Players”. Born in New Orleans and raised by his Baptist Minister grandfather, he spent his childhood singing in the church choir and eventually trained at the Juilliard School of Music. His first professional break was performing with the Harry Belafonte Singers whom he remained with for ten years. Morris resides in Los Angeles where he owns and operates The LA Blues & Comedy Club. In 2007 Garrett was honored by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa for his work and contributions to the black community.

Taraji P. Henson is an Academy Award nominated, Emmy nominated, and Golden Globe-winning actor, filmmaker, and activist who quickly rose to fame after her breakout performance in the critically acclaimed film Hustle & Flow. In 2020, Henson wrapped her iconic run as “Cookie Lyon” in Fox’s hit musical drama Empire, which has earned her three Emmy nominations, a Golden Globe Award, a Critics Choice Award, and three BET Awards. Henson can most recently be seen starring in the Blitz Bazawule adaption of The Color Purple as “Shug Avery”, which was released on December 25, 2023. She stars opposite Fantasia and Danielle
Brooks, with Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Scott Sanders, and Quincy Jones producing. Henson also starred as “Miss Hannigan” in NBC’s Annie Live! in December of 2021, for which she won an NAACP award for Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Limited Series or Dramatic Special.

Jeffrey Wright is a Tony, Emmy, AFI, and Golden Globe Award-winning actor who has enjoyed an illustrious career spanning the worlds of theatre, film, and television. Wright was most recently seen in the critically acclaimed role of “Bernard Lowe” in HBO’s Westworld, for which he earned three Emmy nominations. He can currently be seen in the George C. Wolfe-directed Civil Rights pic, Rustin, portraying “Adam Clayton Powell”. Other recent projects include lead roles in Netflix’s All Day And A Night (May 2020), HBO’s O.G., which premiered at the 2018 Tribeca Film Festival, where Wright won the award for Best Actor in a U.S. Narrative Feature Film and Netflix’s Hold the Dark (September 2018). Wright can currently be seen giving one of the best performances of his career in Orion Pictures/Amazon MGM Studios’ American Fiction, written and directed by Cord Jefferson; for which Wright has received nominations from the Gotham Awards, Golden Globe Awards, Independent Spirit Awards, Critics Choice Awards and the SAG Awards thus far for his wonderful performance as protagonist, “Thelonious Monk Ellison”.

Mara Brock Akil has written and produced over 400 episodes of television, leaving her mark on Hollywood. Her groundbreaking body of work includes the television series Girlfriends (2000), a witty and honest exploration of the multi-faceted nature of Black womanhood. During its eight seasons on-air, it was one of the highest-rated scripted shows among African-Americans ages 18 to 34. Beyond her work as a writer, producer and director, her peers have consistently recognized Brock Akil as a leader in the industry. In 2019, she was honored with the prestigious Brandon Tartikoff Legacy Award by NATPE for exhibiting extraordinary passion, leadership, independence, and vision through her contributions to television. Some of her prior accolades include Essence Magazine’s Visionary Award during their annual Black Women in Hollywood luncheon, being named to Variety and The Hollywood Reporter’s Showrunner Power Lists, as well as to The Hollywood Reporter’s “Women in Entertainment Power100” multiple times. In 2021, Mara expanded her passion for non-profit work and started her very own non-profit writing residency in Los Angeles, the Writers’ Colony. The Writers’ Colony is a launching pad for the next generation of Black screenwriters. It is a place for them to write, to belong, and to find their voice.

ABFF Honors is the American Black Film Festival’s annual awards season gala dedicated to recognizing excellence in the motion picture and television industry. Founded in 2016, the ceremony pays tribute to Black artists who have made significant contributions to American entertainment through their work as well as those who champion diversity and inclusion in Hollywood. In addition to the individual honors, the ceremony includes a competitive award; the “Fan Favorite Movie of the Year” as determined by popular vote of the festival’s alumni.

ABFF Honors stems from the American Black Film Festival (ABFF), founded by Jeff Friday in 1997, the leading festival of its kind showcasing Black storytelling. Since its inception, the ABFF has been dedicated to supporting Friday’s conviction that Black artists deserve the same opportunities as their mainstream counterparts. Having premiered the work and encouraged the careers of many of today’s most successful filmmakers and actors, the ABFF has become the standard-bearer of excellence for Black American creativity.

ABFF Honors is executive produced by Nicole and Jeff Friday (NICE CROWD) in association with dePasse Jones Entertainment and Rikki Hughes (Magic Lemonade). Sponsors for the event include: Cadillac (Presenting), Amazon MGM Studios (Premier), Sony Pictures Entertainment (Supporting) and Fulton Films (Supporting).

For more information about ABFF Honors visit www.abffhonors.com. Follow @AmericanBlackFilmFestival on Instagram and Facebook, and @ABFF on X.

About NICE CROWD
NICE CROWD, formerly ABFF Ventures, is a Los Angeles-based live events company that develops and produces properties in the arts, entertainment, lifestyle and wellness industries that showcase BIPOC culture and talent. The Company’s tentpole event is the American Black Film Festival, founded in 1997.

To learn more about NICE CROWD events, visit www.nicecrowd.com.

Media Contact:
[email protected]

For 2024 ABFF Honoree Photos please use this link: HERE

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American Black Film Festival Honors Announces 2023 Honorees

Emmy® Award-Winning Producer, Director and Actor Kerry Washington; Two-Time Emmy Award-Winning Actor Courtney B. Vance; Oscar® Nominee Charles D. King and Grammy-Nominated Artist and Actor Janelle Monáe

Classic Cinema Award Honoree: Eve’s Bayou

LOS ANGELES, (February 13, 2023) – The 5th American Black Film Festival (ABFF) Honors today announced the honorees of its annual awards ceremony that recognize excellence in the motion picture and television industry. The awards and recipients are: Excellence in the Arts Award (Female) – Emmy-winning SAG and Golden Globe-nominated actor, director and producer Kerry Washington (Little Fires Everywhere, Scandal); Excellence in the Arts Award (Male) – two-time Emmy Award-winner Courtney B. Vance (People vs. OJ Simpson: American Crime Story, 61st Street); Industry Leadership Award, MACRO Founder and CEO Charles D. King; and Renaissance Award – eight-time GRAMMY nominated artist, producer and actor Janelle Monáe (Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, Hidden Figures). ABFF Honors 2023 Classic Cinema Award recipient is the 1997 drama Eve’s Bayou celebrating its 25th anniversary.

Presented by ABFF Ventures, 2023 ABFF Honors will take place on Sunday, March 5 hosted by Emmy-nominated writer, actor and comedian Deon Cole (black-ish, Charleen’s Boy). Guests at the intimate, non-televised dinner include ABFF honorees and festival partners.

“This year’s ABFF Honorees, Courtney, Kerry, Janelle and Charles are unquestionably amongst the best in our industry and it brings us a great deal of pleasure to illuminate their stellar careers said, Jeff Friday, ABFF Ventures founder and CEO. “Kasi Lemmon’s Eve’s Bayou is a cinematic gem that deserves this recognition in its 25th anniversary year.

Excellence in the Arts (Female) honoree Kerry Washington has received high acclaim for her work in film, television, theater, digital media, advocacy and beyond. In her role as crisis manager Olivia Pope on the hit ABC drama Scandal, Kerry is known for breaking barriers as the first Black woman since 1974 to headline a network TV drama. She earned two Emmy nominations, a Golden Globe nomination, a SAG nomination, and two NAACP Image Awards for her role on the Peabody Award-winning series. Other accolades, include nominations for the SAG Awards, Golden Globes, Independent Spirit Awards, People’s Choice Awards, MTV Movie Awards, and wins for the Primetime Emmy Awards, NAACP Image Awards, BET Awards, and Teen Choice Awards. Her film credits include: The Prom, Cars 3, Django Unchained, Ray, The Last King of Scotland, Save the Last Dance, Lift, For Colored Girls, Night Catches Us, Peeples, The Details, Mother and Child, Life is Hot in Cracktown, Lakeview Terrace, Miracle at St. Anna, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver, I Think I Love My Wife, The Dead Girl, Fantastic Four, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, and Our Song. Projects from her Simpson Street production company include HBO’s Emmy, Critics’ Choice, and Writers Guild Award-nominated Confirmation, starring Kerry as Anita Hill. In 2020 the company released the Emmy-nominated series Little Fires Everywhere with Hulu. Washington starred alongside Reese Witherspoon and earned Emmy and SAG nominations for her performance. Other projects include Five Points, American Son, and the Emmy award-winning second edition of the ABC special Live in Front of a Studio Audience which re-imagined the classic sitcoms All in the Family and Good Times. Washington can most recently be seen in Netflix’s The School for Good and Evil. Next Kerry can be seen starring in Unprisoned, a comedy series for which she also serves as an executive producer and film, Shadow Force, which she both stars in and executive produces.

Excellence in the Arts (Male) honoree Courtney B. Vance is a Harvard scholar and Yale School of Drama-trained actor whose extraordinary career showcases his passion, talent, and intellect, from the theater to the silver screen. His stunning portrayal of Johnnie Cochran in The People vs. OJ Simpson: American Crime Story earned him Emmy, Critics Choice, and NAACP Image awards, as well as SAG and Golden Globe nominations. His role in HBO’s critically acclaimed drama horror series Lovecraft Country, earned him an Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor Drama Series and a Hollywood Critics Association nomination. He also starred in Genius: Aretha in which he portrays Aretha Franklin’s father, earning him an NAACP Image Award, with nominations from the Hollywood Critics Association and Critics Choice Awards. Other projects include, AMC Network’s 61st Street, Heist 88, a feature film in which he stars and is under Bassett/Vance Productions, the production company he co-founded with his wife Angela Bassett, Universal/Will Packer romantic drama The Photograph with Issa Rae and LaKeith Stanfied and Netflix Original Uncorked with Niecy Nash and Mamoudou Athie. For his stage work, Courtney received Tony Award nominations for Fences and his starring role in Six Degrees of Separation. He won a Tony Award for his stellar performance in Lucky Guy. Additionally, Courtney earned a GRAMMY nomination for his narration of Accessory to War.

In his role as founder and CEO of MACRO a multi-platform media company representing the voice and perspectives of Black, indigenous and people of color, Industry Leadership Award honoree and Oscar nominee Charles D. King casts the company’s overall vision, mission and strategic goals for its business verticals including MACRO Film Studios, MACRO Television Studios, M88, UNCMNN and MaC Venture Capital. Formerly a partner/senior agent a William Morris Endeavor, Charles was the first-ever Black partner in the company’s 100+ year history and the first Black partner at any major talent agency. Known industrywide for his innovative deal-making and strategic long-horizon thinking, his list of notable clients spans every sector of the entertainment industry. Charles also made history in 2021 when with the Best Picture Oscar nomination for the film Judas and the Black Messiah he was, along with Ryan Coogler and Shaka King, part of an unprecedented all-Black team of nominated producers for an Academy Award. The company’s film projects have garnered fifteen Oscar nominations and three wins. He is also a dedicated philanthropist, member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Science and the Television Academy. King is a graduate of Vanderbilt University and Howard University School of Law.

Janelle Monáe is an eight-time GRAMMY-nominated singer, songwriter, producer, author, actor and ABFF Honors’ 2023 Renaissance Award honoree. She is known worldwide for her inimitable style and visionary sound, which celebrates the spectrum of identity. Monáe’s album Dirty Computer was nominated for two Grammy awards in the categories of ‘Album of the Year’ and ‘Best Music Video’. Janelle recently announced the release of the first single since her Grammy nominated album titled, “Float,” which will debut on February 16. She was recently honored as Critics Choice’s 2023 SeeHer Award honoree for her work on-screen and off. Last fall, The Trevor Project honored her as their Suicide Prevention Advocate of the Year, she serves as a co-chair to Michelle Obama’s When We All Vote, and has established her own initiative, Fem the Future, which aims to create opportunities for young creatives. Her first novel, The Memory Librarian: And Other Stories from Dirty Computer, which is a collaborative effort between Janelle and other writers, debuted on the New York Times Best-Seller List. As an actor, she recently starred in Netflix’s Knives Out sequel, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery alongside Daniel Craig, Kate Hudson, Kathryn Hahn, and Leslie Odom Jr. Other acting credits include Lionsgate’s Antebellum, Focus Feature’s biopic film Harriet, Disney’s Lady and the Tramp, the Academy Award-nominated Hidden Figures and Academy Award-winner Moonlight.

ABFF Honors’ Classic Cinema Award pays tribute to critically acclaimed Trimark Pictures’ Eve’s Bayou, written and directed by Kasi Lemmons (I Wanna Dance with Somebody) in her directorial debut and produced by Caldecot Chubb and Samuel L. Jackson. The story is told through the eyes of 10-year-old Eve Batiste over the course of a long, hot summer in Louisiana as she discovers her family existence is merely a façade. The drama stars Samuel L. Jackson (Pulp Fiction, Die Hard with a Vengeance), Jurnee Smollett (Lovecraft Country) in the lead role, Lynn Whitfield (Greenleaf) and Meagan Good (Harlem) in her first film role. Additional cast members include Debbi Morgan (Merry Liddle Christmas), Vondie Curtis-Hall (Harriet), Roger Guenveur Smith (Do the Right Thing) and the late Diahann Carroll (Claudine). The film won the Film Independent Spirit Award for Best First Feature and received seven NAACP Image Award nominations, including Best Picture. Eve’s Bayou was recently selected for preservation in the Library of Congress’ National Film Registry.

ABFF Honors stems from the American Black Film Festival. It is a unique awards event as there are no winners or losers. Acclaimed artists are honored alongside rising stars, creating a spirit of mutual appreciation amongst multigenerational talent in Hollywood. The first ABFF Honors was held in 2016, honoring Black artists who have made significant contributions to American entertainment through their work as well as those who champion diversity and inclusion in Hollywood.

Now in its fifth year, the ABFF Honors’ list of celebrated award recipients include, Denzel Washington, Ava DuVernay, Regina King, Tiffany Haddish, Ryan Coogler, Don Cheadle, Will Packer, Queen Latifah, Lena Waithe, Terrence Howard, F. Gary Gray, Billy Dee Williams, Issa Rae, Omari Hardwick, Louis Gossett, Jr., the late Diahann Carroll and the cast of classic films and television shows including Martin, The Wire, Hollywood Shuffle and Love Jones.

ABFF Honors is executive produced by Nicole and Jeff Friday (ABFF Ventures) in association with Rikki Hughes (Magic Lemonade) and de Passe Jones Entertainment.

2023 ABFF Honors sponsors to date include Cadillac, Amazon Studios (Presenting), Sony Pictures Entertainment, Comcast NBCUniversal, Andscape (Supporting). For more information about ABFF Honors visit www.abffhonors.com. Follow on @ABFF on Twitter and @American Black Film Festival on Instagram and Facebook.

About ABFF Ventures LLC
ABFF Honors is a property of ABFF Ventures LLC, an entertainment company specializing in the production of live events and platforms that celebrate Black culture and achievement. The company’s flagship property, the American Black Film Festival (ABFF), founded by Jeff Friday in 1997, is the leading festival of is kind showcasing Black storytelling. Dedicated to the belief that diverse artists deserve the same opportunities as their mainstream counterparts, Friday conceived the festival as a vehicle to strengthen the Black entertainment community by fostering resource sharing, education and artistic collaboration. Having premiered the work and encouraged the careers of many of today’s most successful filmmakers and actors, the ABFF has become the standard-bearer of excellence for Black American creativity. Embarking upon its 27th year, the festival has become a key proponent of diversity in Hollywood, providing a platform for emerging Black artists. For more information visit, www.abff.com

Media Contact:

Chelsye J. Burrows
ABFF Ventures LLC
[email protected]

For 2023 ABFF Honoree Photos please use this link:
https://www.abff.com/files/ABFF-Honors-Honoree-Photos.zip

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American Black Film Festival Honors Returns in 2023 to Celebrate Excellence in Hollywood

Gala Ceremony Recognizes Outstanding Artists, Movie of the Year and Documentary of the Year Hosted, by Two-Time Emmy® Nominated Writer, Comedian and Actor Deon Cole

LOS ANGELES, (December 14, 2022) – ABFF Ventures LLC today announced American Black Film Festival (ABFF) Honors will be held in Los Angeles on Sunday, March 5, with two-time Emmy-nominated writer, actor and comedian Deon Cole returning as host. ABFF’s annual award season gala honors Black artists who have made significant contributions to the motion picture and television industry, as well as those who champion diversity and inclusion in Hollywood.

The tributes will be presented in multiple categories, including Hollywood Legacy Award, Excellence in the Arts Award, Entertainment Icon Award, Rising Star Award and Industry Leadership Award. In addition, ABFF Honors presents competitive awards for Movie of the Year and Documentary of the Year. The nominees and winners for both categories are determined by the more than 100,000 alumni of the film festival.

“This has been a phenomenal year for Black artists, and we are thrilled to celebrate their many successes, milestones and breakout moments. I’m equally excited to have comedic genius Deon Cole hosting this inspiring ceremony,” said ABFF President Nicole Friday. “There is no better place to feel uplifted, encouraged and appreciated than in your own community. ABFF Honors provides that unique platform.”

Widely known as a regular on the ABC hit series black-ish, Deon Cole’s career features an extensive body of work in television, writing and comedy. On the acting front, he currently can be seen in Jeymes Samuel’s The Harder They Fall. He recently wrapped a role in Kenya Barris and Jonah Hill’s You People. Next up, he joins the cast of The Color Purple and will star in the drama series Average Joe. From the stand-up comedy stage, Deon recently released his one-hour special Charleen’s Boy. In 2019, his hilarious original comedy special Deon Cole: Cole Hearted ran on Netflix following the success of his appearance in The Standups. His earlier work includes his one-hour special Deon Cole: Cole Blooded Seminar and his stand-up documentary Workin’ it Out.

ABFF Honors’ celebrated list of former award recipients include, Denzel Washington, Ava DuVernay, Regina King, Tiffany Haddish, Ryan Coogler, Don Cheadle, Will Packer, Queen Latifah, Lena Waithe, Terrence Howard, F. Gary Gray, Billy Dee Williams, Issa Rae, Omari Hardwick, Louis Gossett, Jr., the late Diahann Carroll and the cast of classic films and television shows Martin, The Wire, Hollywood Shuffle and Love Jones.

ABFF Honors is executive produced by Nicole and Jeff Friday (ABFF Ventures) in association with Rikki Hughes (Magic Lemonade) and de Passe Jones Entertainment.

The 2023 ABFF Honors sponsors and partners to date are Cadillac (Presenting) and Sony Pictures Entertainment (Official). For more information about ABFF Honors visit www.abffhonors.com.

About ABFF Ventures LLC
ABFF Ventures LLC is an entertainment company specializing in the production of live events and platforms that celebrate Black culture and achievement. The company’s flagship event, the American Black Film Festival (ABFF), founded by Jeff Friday in 1997, is the leading festival of is kind showcasing Black storytelling. Having premiered the work and encouraged the careers of many of today’s most successful filmmakers and actors the ABFF has become the standard-bearer of excellence for Black American creativity. For more information about the festival, including submission deadlines and how to obtain an ABFF pass, visit www.abff.com. Follow @ABFF on Twitter and @AmericanBlackFilmFestival on Instagram and Facebook.

Media Contact:

Chelsye J. Burrows
ABFF Ventures LLC and Jeff Friday Media (JFM)
[email protected]

Deon Cole headshot credit: Deon Cole

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Academy AwardⓇ Winner Jamie Foxx to Receive “Excellence in the Arts‟ Award at American Black Film Festival Honors

High-resolution photo HERE

Los Angeles, CA (February 5, 2020) – The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) Honors today announced Academy Award® winner Jamie Foxx (“Ray,” “Just Mercy,” “Django Unchained”) as the recipient of the Excellence in the Arts Award, which honors a contemporary artist whose stellar work has received critical acclaim. Jamie Foxx is a multi-award-winning actor, singer, and comedian whose career spans over 30 years. Just this year, he received multiple nominations and honors for his portrayal of Walter McMillian in the powerful drama “Just Mercy,” which is also among the nominees for the ABFF Honors “Movie of the Year” Award.

Previous honorees for the Excellence in the Arts Award include Academy Award nominee Terrence Howard (“Hustle & Flow”), Academy Award nominee Don Cheadle (“Hotel Rwanda”), Academy Award winner Regina King (“If Beale Street Could Talk”), and Director F. Gary Gray (“Straight Outta Compton”).

“We are honoring Jamie Foxx for his phenomenal body of work, which spans comedy, music, television and film,” said ABFF Ventures CEO Jeff Friday. “We are honored to celebrate his achievements and contributions to Black culture and entertainment.”

Foxx began his career in entertainment as a stand-up comic, which soon led to his being cast in “In Living Color” (1990) and from 1996 to 2001, Foxx starred in his own comedy, “The Jamie Foxx Show.” For his stunning portrayal of Ray Charles in the 2004 biographical film “Ray,” Foxx won an Academy Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role, a BAFTA® Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role, a Golden Globe® Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical, and a Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Award® for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role. The same year, he was also nominated for an Academy Award, BAFTA Award, Golden Globe and SAG Award, for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role, for his work in the thriller “Collateral.”

He also is a Grammy Award®- winning musician, releasing four albums which have charted high on the Billboard 200 chart: Unpredictable (2005), which topped the chart; Intuition (2008); Best Night of My Life (2010); and Hollywood: A Story of a Dozen Roses (2015).

Presented by ABFF Ventures, the 2020 ABFF Honors, hosted by Emmy-nominated comedian and actor Deon Cole (Black-ish), will take place on February 23 in Los Angeles. Previously announced honorees include Academy Award winner Louis Gossett, Jr. with the Hollywood Legacy Award, Emmy Award® winner Lena Waithe with the Industry Renaissance Award, Academy Award nominee Cynthia Erivo with the Rising Star Award, and HBO’s “The Wire” with the Classic Television Award. Sponsors to date include American Airlines, BET, Cadillac and Hilton (Red Carpet), Crown Royal (Official Spirit), Accenture, Curated By Media, Focus Features, FX, Motion Pictures Association (MPA), Prudential Financial, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Universal Pictures, Warner Bros. (Supporting) and Variety (Media).

ABOUT ABFF HONORS:
ABFF Honors is an annual awards season gala dedicated to saluting excellence in the motion picture and television industry. The ceremony celebrates Black culture by recognizing artists who have made distinguished contributions to American entertainment through their work, as well as those who champion diversity and inclusion. Individual recognition awards include Hollywood Legacy, Excellence in the Arts, Rising Star, Industry Renaissance and Pro Hollywood. Recognition of outstanding content awards include Movie of the Year and Classic Television Award. Previous honorees and presenters include Denzel Washington, Don Cheadle, Robert Downey, Jr. Regina King, Will Packer, Ryan Coogler, Ava DuVernay, Tiffany Haddish, Issa Rae, Viola Davis, Cicely Tyson, Octavia Spencer, Armie Hammer, the late Diahann Carroll and more. To learn more about ABFF Honors and to stay up-to-date on upcoming announcements for the 2020 ceremony, visit www.ABFFHonors.com

ABOUT ABFF VENTURES:
ABFF Ventures LLC (ABFFV) is a Los Angeles-based entertainment company founded by its CEO Jeff Friday as a platform to produce live events, television and film focused on African American culture. Its mission is to entertain and inspire communities of color while promoting diversity and inclusion in Hollywood. Its tentpole properties are the American Black Film Festival (ABFF), cited by MovieMaker magazine as “One of the Coolest Festivals in the World,” and “ABFF Honors,” an annual awards ceremony saluting career achievement in film and television.

In creating ABFF Ventures, Friday channeled his passion for entertainment, as well as his discomfort with the under representation of people of color in Hollywood, into an organization with the ultimate goal of advocating for diversity within the industry. Through his vision and perseverance, ABFFV has become a highly respected enterprise, generating goodwill throughout the entertainment and corporate communities.

ABFF’s momentum continues to build. In 2019, the company expanded its international footprint with the highly successful launch of the ABFF London as part of its Global Film Series. In addition, the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) in Washington, D.C., acquired ABFF photographs and other archival materials to be included in its permanent collection.

At the heart of the ABFF organization is its commitment to community – unifying artists in appreciation of one another’s work, to encourage, uplift and come together. With the support of the world’s leading entertainment, media and consumer product companies, the ABFF continues to lead the way promoting diversity and inclusion in the motion picture and television industries.

CONTACT:
MPRM Communications
[email protected]
323-933-3399

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American Black Film Festival Honors to Recognize Achievements of Hollywood Trailblazers Louis Gossett, Jr., Lena Waithe

Louis Gossett, Jr. to Receive Hollywood Legacy Award, Lena Waithe to Receive Industry Renaissance Award

Los Angeles, CA (January 7, 2020) – The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) Honors announced today the recipients of two of their most prominent awards – Hollywood Legacy Award and Industry Renaissance Award – which each honor outstanding accomplishments in film and television. Academy Award® winner Louis Gossett, Jr. (“Watchmen,” “An Officer and a Gentleman”) will be honored with the Hollywood Legacy Award for his contributions to the entertainment industry. The Hollywood Legacy Award honors a legendary artist whose trailblazing work has inspired generations and made an enduring contribution to film and television. Additionally, Emmy® Award winning producer, writer, and actress, Lena Waithe (“The Chi,” “Boomerang,” “Queen & Slim”) will receive the prestigious Industry Renaissance Award, which recognizes content creators whose exemplary work in film and television contributes to changing perceptions of people of color in the entertainment industry.

“We’re honored to celebrate these two extraordinary talents,” said ABFF Ventures CEO, Jeff Friday. “These awards not only recognize how Mr. Gossett’s contributions have propelled the industry forward but also acknowledge a new generation of trailblazers in people like Ms. Waithe, who will continue to create change and new opportunities in film and television for people of color.”

Louis Gossett Jr. has been disrupting Hollywood for over 40 years making his film debut alongside Sidney Poitier in the 1961 classic “A Raisin in the Sun.” Gossett Jr. was the first African American to win an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his unforgettable performance as drill Sergeant Emil Foley in “An Officer and a Gentleman.” Additionally, he has been nominated for seven Primetime Emmy Awards, three Golden Globe® Awards, five NAACP Images Awards, two Daytime Emmy Awards and in 1992 he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Other notable film and television credits include “The Deep,” “Blue Chips,” “Daddy’s Little Girls,” Tyler Perry’s “Why Did I Get Married Too®,” “Firewalker,” “Jaws-3D,” “Enemy Mine,””Iron Eagle,” “Extant,” “Madam Secretary,” “Boardwalk Empire,” “Family Guy,” and “ER,” among others. Gossett Jr. is the founder of The Eracism Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to eradicating racism.

A triple-threat in the entertainment industry, Lena Waithe expertly taps into emerging cultural sensibilities with a sharp wit, speaking to a myriad of experiences from her unique perspective and challenging audiences to think outside of conventional norms. She has become a champion for underserved voices in the industry, creating writing and development opportunities for people of color as well as promoting diversity and representation on the screen. Currently, she serves as a writer and executive producer of BET’s “Boomerang” revival, alongside Halle Berry and has received critical acclaim for Showtime’s “The Chi,” which will debut its third season this year. Waithe has proven herself a talent to be reckoned with, continuing to grow her body of work which includes, an overall deal to create and produce original series for Amazon Prime Video; Showtime’s “How To Make Love to a Black Woman,” which she will executive produce; the groundbreaking film, “The 40-Year-Old Version,” which is premiering at Sundance 2020; the horror anthology series “Them” for Amazon; and Sundance darling “Dear White People,” among others. Waithe first made headlines in front of the camera as Denise, in the critically acclaimed Netflix series “Master of None.” In a role that was originally intended for a straight, Caucasian female, Waithe has made Denise’s experience as a queer black woman uniquely her own. Waithe’s feature screenwriting debut, “Queen & Slim,” is also nominated for ABFF Honors “Movie of the Year” Award.

ABFF Honors recently announced their nominees for “Movie of the Year,” a competitive award presented to the best feature length film of the year directed by and/or starring a lead actor or actress of African descent. Voting is now open to the public at www.ABFFHonors.com/vote. And for the second year, American Airlines will sponsor the ABFF Honors “VIP Fan Experience,” which is an opportunity for one consumer to attend this exclusive event and celebrate Black excellence among the most influential artists, executives, and stakeholders in the entertainment industry. One fan will be randomly selected by the ABFF organization from the pool of individuals who vote for the “Movie of the Year”, and receive two (2) tickets for the ceremony, two (2) round trip domestic economy-class tickets on American Airlines, hotel accommodations and a chance to walk the “red carpet” on the night of the ceremony. The announcement will be made on or about January 20, 2020.

Presented by ABFF Ventures, the 2020 ABFF Honors, hosted by Emmy-nominated comedian and actor Deon Cole (Black-ish), will take place February 23 in Los Angeles. Previously announced honorees include Cynthia Erivo with the Rising Star Award and “The Wire” with the Classic Television Award. Sponsors to date include American Airlines, Cadillac and Hilton (Red Carpet), and Accenture, Prudential Financial and Sony Pictures Entertainment (Supporting).

ABOUT ABFF HONORS:
ABFF Honors is an annual awards season gala dedicated to saluting excellence in the motion picture and television industry. The ceremony celebrates Black culture by recognizing artists who have made distinguished contributions to American entertainment through their work, as well as those who champion diversity and inclusion. Individual recognition awards include Hollywood Legacy, Excellence in the Arts, Rising Star, Industry Renaissance and Pro Hollywood. Recognition of outstanding content awards include Movie of the Year and Classic Television Award. Previous honorees and presenters include Denzel Washington, Don Cheadle, Robert Downey, Jr. Regina King, Will Packer, Ryan Coogler, Ava DuVernay, Tiffany Haddish, Issa Rae, Viola Davis, Cicely Tyson, Octavia Spencer, Armie Hammer, the late Diahann Carroll and more. To learn more about ABFF Honors and to stay up-to-date on upcoming announcements for the 2020 ceremony, visit www.ABFFHonors.com

ABOUT ABFF VENTURES:
ABFF Ventures LLC (ABFFV) is a Los Angeles-based entertainment company founded by its CEO Jeff Friday as a platform to produce live events, television and film focused on African American culture. Its mission is to entertain and inspire communities of color while promoting diversity and inclusion in Hollywood. Its tentpole properties are the American Black Film Festival (ABFF), cited by MovieMaker magazine as “One of the Coolest Festivals in the World,” and “ABFF Honors,” an annual awards ceremony saluting career achievement in film and television.

In creating ABFF Ventures, Friday channeled his passion for entertainment, as well as his discomfort with the under representation of people of color in Hollywood, into an organization with the ultimate goal of advocating for diversity within the industry. Through his vision and perseverance, ABFFV has become a highly respected enterprise, generating goodwill throughout the entertainment and corporate communities.

ABFF’s momentum continues to build. In 2019, the company expanded its international footprint with the highly successful launch of the ABFF London as part of its Global Film Series. In addition, the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) in Washington, D.C., acquired ABFF photographs and other archival materials to be included in its permanent collection.

At the heart of the ABFF organization is its commitment to community – unifying artists in appreciation of one another’s work, to encourage, uplift and come together. With the support of the world’s leading entertainment, media and consumer product companies, the ABFF continues to lead the way promoting diversity and inclusion in the motion picture and television industries.

CONTACT:
MPRM Communications
[email protected]
323-933-3399

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American Black Film Festival Honors Announces 2020 “Movie of the Year” Award Nominees

VIP Fan Experience Presented by American Airlines Offers Opportunity to Attend Gala

Los Angeles, CA (December 18, 2019) – The American Black Film Festival Honors, the preeminent awards event celebrating Black culture and artists who have made distinguished contributions to the entertainment industry either through their work or as champions of diversity and inclusion in Hollywood, today announced the nominees for the “Movie of the Year” award.

The ABFF Honors’ “Movie of the Year” award is a competitive award presented to the best feature length film of the year directed by and/or starring a lead actor or actress of African descent.

This year’s nominees are Black & Blue, directed by Deon Taylor, starring Academy Award-nominee Naomie Harris and Tyrese Gibson; Dolemite Is My Name, directed by Craig Brewer, starring Academy Award-nominated Eddie Murphy, Keegan-Michael Key, Mike Epps, Craig Robinson, Tituss Burgess, and Wesley Snipes; Harriet, directed by Kasi Lemmons and starring Golden Globe and SAG Award nominee Cynthia Erivo, who – as previously announced – is set to receive the 2020 ABFF Honors’ “Rising Star” Award, which has previously been presented to Tiffany Haddish (Kids Say the Darndest Things), Issa Rae (Insecure) and Ryan Coogler (Black Panther); Just Mercy, directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, starring Michael B. Jordan and Academy Award-winner Jamie Foxx; The Last Black Man in San Francisco, directed by Joe Talbot, written by and starring Jimmie Fails; Queen & Slim, directed by two-time Grammy Award-winner Melina Matsoukas, starring Daniel Kaluuya and Jodie Turner-Smith; and Us, written and directed by Jordan Peele, starring Academy Award-winner Lupita Nyong’o.

“These films collectively represent the diversity and complexity of the African American experience in America,” said ABFF Ventures CEO, Jeff Friday. “This has been a phenomenal year for black content and we are excited to celebrate its universal appeal and the community of creators behind it.”

2020 “Movie of the Year” Award Nominees:

BLACK & BLUE – An action thriller about a rookie cop (Naomie Harris) who inadvertently captures the murder of a young drug dealer on her body cam. After realizing that the murder was committed by corrupt cops, she teams up with the one person from her community who is willing to help her (Tyrese Gibson) as she tries to escape both the criminals out for revenge and the police who are desperate to destroy the incriminating footage.

DOLEMITE IS MY NAME – Eddie Murphy portrays real-life legend Rudy Ray Moore, a comedy and rap pioneer who proved naysayers wrong when his hilarious, obscene, kung-fu fighting alter ego, Dolemite, became a 1970s Blaxploitation phenomenon.

HARRIET – Based on the thrilling and inspirational life of an iconic American freedom fighter, Harriet tells the extraordinary tale of Harriet Tubman’s (Cynthia Erivo) escape from slavery and transformation into one of America’s greatest heroes. Her courage, ingenuity, and tenacity freed hundreds of slaves and changed the course of history.

JUST MERCY – After graduating from Harvard, Bryan (Michael B Jordan) might have had his pick of lucrative jobs. Instead, he heads to Alabama to defend those wrongly condemned, with the support of local advocate Eva Ansley (Brie Larson.) One of his first, and most incendiary, cases is that of Walter McMillian (Jamie Foxx,) who, in 1987, was sentenced to die for the notorious murder of an 18-year-old girl, despite a preponderance of evidence proving his innocence and the fact that the only testimony against him came from a criminal with a motive to lie. In the years that follow, Bryan becomes embroiled in a labyrinth of legal and political maneuverings and overt and unabashed racism as he fights for Walter, and others like him, with the odds-and the system-stacked against them.

THE LAST BLACK MAN IN SAN FRANCISCO – A young man (Jimmie Fails) searches for home in the changing city that seems to have left him behind.

QUEEN & SLIM – Slim (Daniel Kaluuya) and Queen’s (Jodie Turner-Smith) first date takes an unexpected turn when a policeman pulls them over for a minor traffic violation. When the situation escalates, Slim takes the officer’s gun and shoots him in self-defense. Now labelled cop killers in the media, Slim and Queen feel that they have no choice but to go on the run and evade the law. When a video of the incident goes viral, the unwitting outlaws soon become a symbol of trauma, terror, grief and pain for people all across the country

US – In order to get away from their busy lives, the Wilson family takes a vacation to Santa Cruz, California with the plan of spending time with their friends, the Tyler family. On a day at the beach, their young son Jason almost wanders off, causing his mother Adelaide (Lupita Nyong’o) to become protective of her family. That night, four mysterious people break into Adelaide’s childhood home where they’re staying. The family is shocked to find out that the intruders look like them, only with grotesque appearances.

Each year, the nominees are determined by a jury from the ABFF’s Entertainment Journalist Committee (EJC), who then vote in conjunction with national consumers to determine the winner. Voting for the general public is available via an online ballot at www.ABFFHonors.com/vote. Voting begins on December 28, 2019 and runs through January 15, 2020.

For the second year, American Airlines will sponsor the ABFF Honors “VIP Fan Experience,” which is an opportunity for one consumer to attend this exclusive event and celebrate Black excellence among the most influential artists, executives, and stakeholders in the entertainment industry. One fan will be randomly selected by the ABFF organization from the pool of individuals who vote for the “Movie of the Year”, and receive two (2) tickets for the ceremony, two (2) round trip domestic economy-class tickets on American Airlines, hotel accommodations and a chance to walk the “red carpet” on the night of the ceremony. The announcement will be made on or about January 20, 2020.

Presented by ABFF Ventures, the 2020 ABFF Honors will be hosted by Emmy-nominated comedian and actor Deon Cole, taking place on Sunday, February 23, 2020 in Los Angeles. Sponsors include American Airlines, Cadillac and Hilton (Red Carpet), and Prudential Financial and Sony Pictures Entertainment (Supporting).

ABOUT ABFF HONORS:
ABFF Honors is an annual awards season gala dedicated to saluting excellence in the motion picture and television industry. The ceremony celebrates Black culture by recognizing artists who have made distinguished contributions to American entertainment through their work, as well as those who champion diversity and inclusion. Individual recognition awards include Hollywood Legacy, Lifetime Achievement, Rising Star, Industry Visionary and Pro Hollywood. Recognition of outstanding content awards include Movie of the Year and Classic Television Award. Previous honorees and presenters include Denzel Washington, Don Cheadle, Robert Downey, Jr. Regina King, Will Packer, Ryan Coogler, Ava DuVernay, Tiffany Haddish, Issa Rae, Viola Davis, Cicely Tyson, Octavia Spencer, Armie Hammer, the late Diahann Carroll and more. To learn more about ABFF Honors and to stay up-to-date on upcoming announcements for the 2020 ceremony, visit www.ABFFHonors.com

ABOUT ABFF VENTURES:
ABFF Ventures LLC (ABFFV) is a multifaceted entertainment company specializing in the production of live events and branded content. Its mission is to entertain and inspire communities of color while promoting diversity in Hollywood. Headquartered in Los Angeles, ABFFV was formed to stimulate business growth through expansion into other events and services. Its tent-pole properties are the American Black Film Festival (ABFF), cited by MovieMaker magazine as “One of the Coolest Festivals in the World;” and “ABFF Honors,” an annual awards gala saluting the top stars of film and television. In creating ABFF Ventures, CEO Jeff Friday channeled his passion for film and television, as well as his discomfort with the underrepresentation of people of color in Hollywood, into an organization with the ultimate goal of advocating for diversity within the entertainment industry. Through his vision and perseverance, ABFF Ventures has become a highly respected enterprise, generating goodwill throughout the Hollywood and corporate communities.

CONTACT:
MPRM Communications
[email protected]
323-933-3399

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Cynthia Erivo to Receive the ‘Rising Star’ Award at the 2020 American Black Film Festival Honors

Show Returns to Los Angeles Sunday, February 23, 2020

#ABFFHonors

Los Angeles, CA (November 26, 2019) – Today, ABFF Ventures announced Cynthia Erivo will receive the “Rising Star Award” at the 2020 ABFF Honors. The fourth annual ceremony, hosted by actor and comedian Deon Cole, will take place on Sunday, February 23, 2020 at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles.

ABFF Honors is the American Black Film Festival’s awards season gala dedicated to saluting excellence in the motion picture and television industry. The event celebrates Black culture by paying tribute to individuals who have made significant contributions to American entertainment through their work, as well as those who champion diversity and inclusion in Hollywood. In addition to the acclamations, the show presents a competitive award for “Movie of the Year” and a “Classic Television Award” in recognition of a time-honored series that has made an indelible impact on audiences.

Each year, ABFF Honors presents a “Rising Star Award” in recognition of an individual’s recent success and future promise in the film and television industry. Previous recipients have included Tiffany Haddish (Kids Say the Darndest Things), Issa Rae (Insecure) and Ryan Coogler (Black Panther).

Cynthia Erivo is a Tony®, Emmy®, and Grammy® award-winning actress who burst onto West End and Broadway stages in The Color Purple and has taken the big screen by storm. Erivo’s film debut was in 2018 in Drew Goddard’s Bad Times at the El Royale. She then went on to star as “Belle” in Steve McQueen’s drama Widows, opposite Viola Davis, Michelle Rodriguez and Elizabeth Debicki. Erivo made her Broadway debut reprising her starring role as “Celie”, which she first played in 2013 at London’s Menier Chocolate Factory, in the critically acclaimed revival of The Color Purple.

Erivo currently stars in Kasi Lemmons’ Harriet, bringing the legacy of Harriet Tubman to the big screen. She will soon start production starring as Aretha Franklin in the next installment of the Emmy-winning global anthology series Genius: Aretha. Erivo can next be seen in the HBO series The Outsider, which will premiere on January 12, 2020. Upcoming, Erivo will star alongside Daisy Ridley and David Oyelowo in the highly anticipated sci-fi thriller, Chaos Walking. She will also star in John Ridley’s Needle in a Timestack, alongside Orlando Bloom, Freida Pinto and Leslie Odom Jr. In addition, Erivo is set to executive produce and star in Warner Brothers’ musical take on the American folk tale “Rip Van Winkle.”

“When an artist as talented as Cynthia Erivo shares their gifts with the world, we have to recognize their brilliance. We are delighted to present Ms. Erivo with the 2020 ABFF Honors ‘Rising Star Award.’ Her versatility and ability to push boundaries is undeniable and deserves to be celebrated,” says Nicole Friday, Executive Producer.

The confirmed sponsors to date include American Airlines, Cadillac, and Hilton (Red Carpet Sponsors); Prudential Financial and Sony Pictures Entertainment (Supporting Sponsors).

To learn more about ABFF Honors, including the awards categories and past awards ceremonies and honorees, visit www.ABFFHonors.com.

PRESS CONTACTS:
Michelle Huff Elliott
Strategic Heights Media
michelle@strategicheights.com
212-634-7176

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Actor and Comedian Deon Cole to Host the 2020 American Black Film Festival Honors on February 23 in Los Angeles

HBO’s “The Wire” to Receive the Classic Television Award

#ABFFHonors

LOS ANGELES, (November 19, 2019) – ABFF Ventures, an entertainment company specializing in the production of live events, television and film focused on African American culture, announced today that actor and comedian Deon Cole will host the fourth annual ABFF Honors awards ceremony. The event will take place on Sunday, February 23, 2020, at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.

ABFF Honors is an annual awards season gala dedicated to saluting excellence in the motion picture and television industry. The ceremony celebrates Black culture by recognizing individuals who have made distinguished contributions to American entertainment through their work as well as those who champion diversity and inclusion in Hollywood. In addition to the tributes, the show presents a competitive award for “Movie of the Year” and a “Classic Television Award” in recognition of a time-honored series that has made an indelible impact on audiences.

ABFF Honors stems from the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) founded by Jeff Friday in 1997 and born from his conviction that Black artists deserve the same opportunities as their mainstream counterparts. For more than two decades, the festival has been the standard-bearer of excellence for Black creativity, having premiered the work and supported the careers of many of today’s most successful filmmakers and actors. In just four years “ABFF Honors” has become one of the most prominent events of the industry’s awards season during Black History Month.

Straight from his hilarious Netflix original comedy special, Deon Cole: Cole Hearted, Cole will bring to the ABFF Honors stage his unique style and delivery that have made him a wildly popular performer with both fans and critics. He is best known for his role as adjunct college professor “Charlie” on ABC’s hit series Black-ish, now in its fifth season. In 2018, Cole brought the beloved character to the spin-off series Grown-ish. Over the years, he has received numerous award nominations for his outstanding body of work in television writing and performances.

ABFF Honors will pay tribute to HBO’s critically acclaimed television series The Wire where cast and crew will gather for a celebration and special presentation of this year’s “Classic Television Award.” Created by David Simon, the series premiered the first of its five seasons on HBO in 2002 and is widely regarded to be one of the greatest television shows of all time. The cast mainly consisted of then unknown actors, including Idris Elba (Hobbs & Shaw), Wendell Pierce (Jack Ryan), Andre Royo (Empire), Michael K. Williams (Motherless Brooklyn), Wood Harris (Empire), Sonja Sohn (The Chi), Clarke Peters (Harriet), Reg E. Cathey (House of Cards), Jamie Hector (Queen of the South), Tristan Wilds (Shots Fired), Dominic West (The Affair) and Michael B. Jordan (Black Panther) who have gone on to become major players in Hollywood.

“This has been an incredible year for diverse content and we are very excited to celebrate the many successes, milestones and breakout moments experienced by Black artists. At the heart of the ABFF organization is our commitment to community – unifying artists in appreciation of one another’s work, and to encourage and uplift each other. ABFF Honors is our platform to accomplish this,” said ABFF Ventures CEO Jeff Friday.

Previous honorees of the awards ceremony include Denzel Washington (Equalizer 2), Ava DuVernay (When They See Us), Regina King (Watchmen), Tiffany Haddish (Kids Say the Darndest Things), Ryan Coogler (Black Panther), Don Cheadle (Black Monday), Will Packer (Little), Queen Latifah (Star), Terrence Howard (Empire), F. Gary Gray (Men in Black International), Billy Dee Williams (Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker), Issa Rae (Insecure), Omari Hardwick (Power), the late Diahann Carroll and the cast of the classic television show Martin.

The 2020 ABFF Honors confirmed sponsors to date include Cadillac and American Airlines (Red Carpet Sponsor); Sony Pictures and Entertainment and Prudential (Supporting Sponsor).

To learn more about ABFF Honors, including the awards categories and past awards ceremonies and honorees, visit www.ABFFHonors.com.

PRESS CONTACT:

Michelle Huff Elliott
Strategic Heights Media
212-634-7176
[email protected]