Kerry Washington, Janelle Monáe, Courtney B. Vance Among List Of 2023 American Black Film Festival Honorees

By Okla Jones ·Updated 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.

Hosted by Emmy-nominated writer, actor and comedian Deon Cole, this year’s recipients include Emmy-winning SAG and Golden Globe-nominated actor, director and producer Kerry Washington, who will be presented with the Excellence in the Arts Award (Female); two-time Emmy Award-winner Courtney B. Vance will receive the Excellence in the Arts Award (Male); MACRO Founder and CEO Charles D. King earned the Industry Leadership Award; and eight-time GRAMMY nominated artist, producer and actor Janelle Monáe is to be honored with the Renaissance Award.

ABFF Honors’ Classic Cinema Award pays tribute to critically acclaimed Trimark Pictures’ Eve’s Bayou, written and directed by Kasi Lemmons in her directorial debut and produced by Caldecot Chubb and Samuel L. Jackson. Alongside Jackson, the drama stars Jurnee Smollett, Lynn Whitfield, Meagan Good, Debbi Morgan, Vondie Curtis-Hall, Roger Guenveur Smith, and the late Diahann Carroll.

“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 Lemmons’ Eve’s Bayou is a cinematic gem that deserves this recognition in its 25th anniversary year.”

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 Carrolland the cast of classic films and television shows including Martin, The Wire, Hollywood Shuffle and Love Jones.

Presented by ABFF Ventures, the 2023 ABFF Honors is an intimate, non-televised dinner, and will take place on Sunday, March 5 in Los Angeles, California.