The star-studded function, which is hosted by KevOnStage, returns February 16 to honor the winners of its annual awards meeting, which honors excellence in the motion picture and tv industry. Presented by NICE CROWD, the 2026 ABFF Honors will take place on Monday, February 16 at the SLS resort in Beverly Hills, CA, hosted by New York Times best-selling writer and award–winning artist KevOnStage. ABFF awardees and festival partners will be paired up for the close, non-televised dinner. The ABFF Honors will give a special gift to the innovative staff behind the Michael B. Jordan-starring motion picture Sinners this yr. It was a remarkable cinema feat from praised filmmakers Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, and Sev Ohanian. The show’s creative group also includes Cinematographer Autumn Durald, Mask Designer Ruth E. Carter, and Creation Custom Hannah Beachler. Also, Salli Richardson-Whitfield, the host of The Jennifer Hudson Show, received the Evolution Award, the acclaimed artist Damson Idris, and the legendary host of The Jennifer Hudson Show, Jennifer Hudson, will receive the Horizon Award. Special Tribute to the Creative Group of Sinners – This month’s gift honors the revolutionary film crew behind Sinners, led by author, producer, and director Ryan Coogler, whose courageous storytelling continues to form the American landscape, along with producers Zinzi Coogler and Sev Ohanian. This creative collective has crafted a work that captures both the power and poetry of the Black experience, marking another landmark in contemporary film.
Jennifer Hudson, the acclaimed talk show host on The Jennifer Hudson Show, has won numerous Emmy, NAACP, and GLAAD awards. She is an EGOT-winning artist and entertainment icon. She released her first holiday album, The Gift of Love, last year, with world-class collaborations on both classic and original songs. The ABFF Honors Renaissance Award is presented to a trendsetting content creator whose exemplary work contributes to changing perceptions of people of color in the entertainment industry.
Salli Richardson-Whitfield, an Emmy-nominated director and executive producer, is a pioneer behind popular television shows like HBO’s Task and The Gilded Age. She became the first Black woman to receive an Emmy for Best Director in a Drama Series for Winning Time, which she also co-produced and continues to inspire with her groundbreaking work in film and television. The ABFF Honors Evolution Award pays tribute to an exceptional talent whose creative journey reflects remarkable growth, having achieved success across multiple art forms, while expanding opportunities for others.
Damson Idris, a British-Nigerian actor best known for his groundbreaking lead role in FX’s Snowfall, will play Miles Davis in Miles & Juliette, a film based on Miles & Juliette. A formidable force in film and television is honored with the ABFF Honors Horizon Award in recognition of their recent accomplishments and promising future.
” This year’s honorees each represent the spirit of what ABFF stands for — creativity, excellence, and purpose”, said NICE CROWD CEO and President Jeff Friday and Nicole Friday. ” Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, and Sev Ohanian have redefined the power of collaboration and vision with Sinners, creating something that speaks to our shared humanity while pushing the boundaries of cinematic storytelling.” Salli Richardson-Whitfield has developed into one of the most dynamic directors and executive producers working in television today, and Damson Idris embodies the brilliance and promise of a new generation. Jennifer Hudson continues to inspire audiences with her extraordinary talent and authenticity. We’re honored to celebrate each of them — artists who remind us why we tell stories: to inspire, to uplift, and to move the culture forward” .From filmmaker Ryan Coogler, Sinners is a genre-bending and multi-layered exploration of Black culture and the Blues music that is unique to it through the lens of a Southern Gothic epic. Michael B. Jordan stars as Smoke and Stack, twin brothers who, after pursuing success in the North, move back to Clarksdale, Mississippi to open a juke joint and resurrect their hometown’s spirit and soul. As music and dance meld in a celebration of artistry, culture, and history, a bad wreaks its grip on the fabric and heart of the community and all that Smoke and Stack have worked so hard to achieve. Uniquely shot on both Ultra Panavision 70 and IMAX, Sinners is a singular and emotionally resonant tale of cultural change that resonates still today. On April 18, 2025, Warner Bros. Pictures theatrically released Sinners in the United States to critical acclaim and commercial success. Ryan Coogler directed, produced, and produced the movie under the production company Proximity Media. Zinzi Coogler and Sev Ohanian also co-produced the movie. The film features an original score by two-time Oscar winner Ludwig Göransson, cinematography by Autumn Durald Arkapaw, costume design by two-time Oscar winner Ruth E. Carter, production design by Oscar winner Hannah Beachler, and casting by Francine Maisler. Jennifer Hudson is an award-winning artist and entertainment icon who has won Grammy, Oscar, Tony, and Emmy awards. The Jennifer Hudson Show, a nationally syndicated talk show hosted by Husson, has received two People’s Choice Awards nominations and thirteen Daytime Emmy Awards nominations. The show, which continually features an impressive lineup of guests, earned her the AAFCA We See You Award, GLAAD’s Excellence in Media Award, and multiple NAACP Image Awards for Best Talk Show Host and Outstanding Talk Series. Hudson released her highly anticipated first holiday album, The Gift of Love, in October, which features world-class, genre-bending collaborations on classic and original songs. Salli Richardson-Whitfield, an executive producer and director nominated for an Emmy, is one of the most accomplished and pioneering filmmakers in modern television. She recently directed and executive produced HBO’s Task, created by Brad Ingelsby and starring Mark Ruffalo, and has been a driving creative force behind Julian Fellowes ‘ acclaimed series The Gilded Age, where she has directed and executive produced all three seasons. She won additional recognition as the executive producer nominee for The Gilded Age and became the first Black woman to win an Emmy for Best Director in a Drama Series for HBO’s Winning Time in 2024. Richardson-Whitfield’s directing credits include Queen Sugar, American Gods, Scandal, and Wheel of Time. She is also a former top actress and renowned director. A Chicago native now based in Los Angeles, she continues to inspire and break barriers both behind and in front of the camera. A British-Nigerian actor named Samson Idris has established himself as one of Hollywood’s most dynamic leading men thanks to his commanding performances and magnetic presence. Idris will next appear in Gina Prince-Bythewood’s Children of Blood and Bone for Paramount and Miles Davis in Miles &, Juliette, continuing to show his remarkable range and depth on screen. He made his breakout role in FX’s Snowfall. Kevin Fredericks (aka KevOnStage ) is a comedian, actor, writer, producer, and entrepreneur whose sharp, relatable humor has earned him a massive global following. He founded KevOnStage Studios, where he is responsible for popular projects like BET’s Churchy, the upcoming series The Hospital, and the bestselling book Marriage Be Hard, co-written with his wife Melissa. Additionally, he co-hosts the popular podcasts Here’s The Thing and The Bald Brothers, which are currently playing in theaters all over the country. Known for his smart, consistently hilarious clean comedy, Fredericks continues to merge humor and culture, building one of the most influential comedic brands of his generation. The annual awards ceremony for the American Black Film Festival, ABFF Honors, is a celebration of excellence in the film and television industries. The ceremony, which was established in 2016, honors Black artists who have made significant contributions to American entertainment through their work as well as those who promote 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. The ABFF has been dedicated to defending Friday’s conviction that Black artists deserve the same opportunities as their mainstream counterparts since its inception. The ABFF has grown to be the standard-bearer of excellence for Black American creativity after premiering the work and promoting the careers of many of today’s most successful filmmakers and actors. ABFF Honors is executive produced by Jeff Friday, Nicole Friday ( NICE CROWD ) and Rikki Hughes ( Magic Lemonade ) in association with dePasse Jones Entertainment. Sponsors of the event to date include SLS Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel in Beverly Hills, and Ally ( Presenting ), Sony Pictures Entertainment ( Supporting ). Visit www. ABFF Honors for more information about ABFF Honors. abffhonors.com. Follow @ABFF on X and @AmericanBlackFilmFestival on Facebook and Instagram. About NICE CROWDNICE CROWD is a cutting-edge live events company that works in the fields of tourism, culture, and entertainment. Founded by Nicole and Jeff Friday, the company produces high-impact festivals, awards shows, and destination experiences in major U. S. cities and global markets. NICE CROWD, who is guided by The Power of Gathering, thinks that when people come together, creativity blossoms, new voices are amplified, and meaningful connections are made. The company’s goal is to harness that energy to increase cultural relevance and make measurable economic gains for its partners. With expertise in event production, audience engagement, and strategic partnerships, NICE CROWD showcases groundbreaking artists and innovators creating experiences that resonate with audiences while enabling brands and media to shape a more connected, creative world. www. Source: NICE CROWD.com
(BPRW) The ABFF Honors 2026 will celebrate the creative team behind Sinners — Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, and Sev Ohanian — along with honorees Jennifer Hudson, Damson Idris, and Salli Richardson-Whitfield.
