The American Black Film Festival Honors celebrated legacy, emphasized resilience and looked to the future with optimism in the face of a changing industry at its ceremony on Monday night in Los Angeles.
Hosted by comedian and actor KevOnStage, the black tie event marked its 10-year anniversary with a star-studded list of honorees from the worlds of film and television. The first honorees of the night were the “Sinners” producing team: director Ryan Coogler, wife Zinzi Coogler and longtime collaborator Sev Ohanian. Through a series of small anecdotes, the Oscar-nominated director thanked ABFF creators Jeff and Nicole Friday for helping him get his start in the industry; Coogler won the HBO Short Film Award at the 2011 festival for his short film “Fig,” earning a $20,000 prize to jumpstart his career.
“That was the first time that there was a vote of confidence in me that came with some capital and that allowed me to really focus and get ‘Fruitvale [Station]’ made,” he remarked. “I’ll be forever indebted to you guys for being such incredible cultivators.”
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson received the Entertainment Icon Award for his wide-ranging career in sports, film, television and beyond. He was perhaps the most proud recipient of the evening with an acceptance speech that ran just under 10 minutes. At the core of his gratitude was the recognition and appreciation of his Blackness from a Black entity like ABFF, which was top of mind as he prepared his remarks for the evening.
“I kept going back to my dad, who was a trailblazer and a proud Black man,” Johnson told celebrity.land on the red carpet. “It reminded me of just how special this night is and how unique this night is from any other thing I’ve experienced in my career.”
Johnson echoed that sentiment of pride in his speech, citing a “complicated” relationship with his late father, but sweetly emphasized his father’s trailblazing efforts in professional wrestling and “chase of Black excellence and Black greatness.”
“I feel like if we continue to chase Black excellence, well that’s connected to endurance and what endurance is connected to is resilience,” Johnson said at the podium. “And that’s this room: resilient men and women.”
Perhaps the most resonant speech of the night came from none other than Angela Bassett, who received a heartwarming introduction from her former film daughter (and her A+ impersonator) Keke Palmer. Bassett received the Excellence in the Arts Award for her lengthy list of career achievements, including a SAG award, two Golden Globes awards, 16 NAACP Image Awards, two Oscar nominations and a career that spans 40 years.
“What [excellence] really means is endurance, commitment, the decision to keep showing up even when circumstances feel, even when the welcome feels uncertain, even when the world tells you explicitly or quietly, that there may no longer be room for you,” Bassett said in her opening remarks.
Kelvin Bulluck / Nice Crowd
During her speech, Bassett gracefully addressed various issues plaguing the industry and society at large: the rise of artificial intelligence, “ vitriol and racism and misinformation” from “those at the highest heights of power in the world,” and the closing of diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in the United States. In response to the myriad of attacks on history, Black storytelling and overall culture, Bassett’s ultimate message was clear: We must continue to use our voices to move the needle.
“No one gets to determine or define our full humanity but our God. So when I look at this moment, challenging as it is, hope is still what sustains me,” she said. “My hope for the future is not simply that we are included. My hope is that we are empowered. I hope we move beyond first and only, beyond symbolism without infrastructure. Hear me and hear me well, you belong here. Your voice matters, and this industry is better when you are shaping it.”
Rounding out the list of honorees were rising star Damson Idris with the Horizon Award, EGOT winner Jennifer Hudson with the Renaissance Award, and actor-producer-director hybrid Salli Richardson-Whitfield with the Evolution Award.
The flagship American Black Film Festival will kick off its 30th year festivities on May 27 in Miami.
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