The 8th Annual American Black Film Festival Honors was held on February 16, 2026 at The SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA and hosted by Comedian, KevOnStage. Countless stars came out to celebrate excellence in Hollywood.
Each year, the industry’s most deserving artists are bestowed awards in a variety of categories including: Hollywood Legacy Award, Entertainment Icon Award , Excellence in the Arts Award, Renaissance Award, Industry Visionary Award, Rising Star Award, Classic Cinema Award, Evolution Award, Horizon Award.
This year’s honorees included several industry icons, such as Dwayne Johnson (Entertainment Icon Award), Angela Bassett (Excellence in the Arts Award), Jennifer Hudson (Renaissance Award), Salli Richardson-Whitfield (Evolution Award), and Damson Idris (Horizon Award). A significant highlight of the evening was the special tribute to the creative team behind the film “Sinners”—Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, and Sev Ohanian—whose groundbreaking work has earned an impressive 16 Oscar nominations this season. As an extension of the American Black Film Festival founded by Jeff Friday in 1997, the ABFF Honors continues to serve as a standard-bearer for creativity and a vital platform for ensuring Black artists receive the recognition and opportunities they deserve.
About ABFF Honors
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 Jeff Friday, Nicole Friday (NICE CROWD) and Rikki Hughes (Magic Lemonade) in association with dePasse Jones Entertainment. Sponsors for the 8th Annual ABFF Honors include: Ally Financial (Presenting), Sony Pictures Entertainment, Andscape (Silver), Morgan Stanley Global Sports & Entertainment, HBO Max (Bronze), SLS Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Beverly Hills (Contributing), and Variety (Media).
About NICE CROWD
NICE CROWD is a pioneering live events company operating at the intersection of culture, entertainment, and tourism.
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. Guided by The Power of Gathering, NICE CROWD believes that when people come together, creativity flourishes, new voices are amplified, and meaningful connections are made. The company’s mission is to harness that energy to drive cultural relevance and deliver measurable economic impact 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.
