Keke Palmer, Giancarlo Esposito and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor to Receive ABFF Honors (EXCLUSIVE)

As a seasoned movie critic with over three decades of immersing myself in the rich tapestry of cinematic artistry, I can confidently say that the upcoming American Black Film Festival (ABFF) Honors ceremony promises to be an unparalleled celebration of excellence and diversity in the industry. The trio of Keke Palmer, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, and Giancarlo Esposito are not only trailblazers but also pillars who have significantly shaped our cultural landscape with their groundbreaking work.

At the seventh yearly American Black Film Festival (ABFF) Awards event, which is sponsored by Nice Crowd, Keke Palmer, Giancarlo Esposito, and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor will each receive distinctive honors.

A private, off-camera dinner is scheduled for February 17th at the SLS hotel in Beverly Hills, which will be hosted by Zainab Johnson, the victor of the 2013 ABFF Comedy Wings contest.

Jeff and Nicole Friday, CEO and president of Nice Crowd, expressed that for many years these outstanding ABFF honorees, Aunjanue, Giancarlo, and Keke, have enthralled viewers and significantly influenced our cultural environment through their pioneering efforts. It’s an honor to acknowledge their remarkable contributions to both the industry and the culture we all embrace.

Palmer is set to receive the Renaissance award, an honor given to a trailblazing content creator who excels in their work and champions diversity, equity, and inclusion. This prestigious award recognizes their outstanding achievements. The Emmy-winning actress, producer, author, and talk show host (known for “Nope,” “Turnt Up With the Taylors”), is currently basking in the success of her memoir “Master of Me” and will soon be sharing the screen with SZA in the upcoming film “One of Them Days,” set to hit theaters on January 17.

Ellis-Taylor and Esposito will receive awards from ABFF for their exceptional work in the arts. These accolades honor artists who have achieved great success throughout their careers. Following her first Oscar nomination for playing Oracene Price, the mother of tennis icons Venus and Serena Williams, in “King Richard” (2021), as well as Emmy nods for “When They See Us” and “Lovecraft Country”, Ellis-Taylor is currently earning rave reviews for her performance in the movie version of Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, “Nickel Boys.

Emmy nominee Esposito is best known for his iconic role as Gustavo “Gus” Fring in “Breaking Bad” and “Better Call Saul.” Next year, he adds to his stellar resume (also including “The Usual Suspects,” “Do the Right Thing,” “The Mandalorian” and “The Boys”) with a trio of new projects: “Captain America: Brave New World,” the Russo Brothers’ “The Electric State” and Shonda Rhimes’ “The Residence.”

Established in 2016, ABFF Honors is an event that celebrates outstanding achievements in the film and television industry and aligns with the American Black Film Festival’s original mission, established by Jeff Friday in 1997 to promote Black narratives. Notable recipients of this honor include Taraji P. Henson, Jeffrey Wright, Garrett Morris, Mara Brock Akil (who were recognized at the 2024 gala), as well as Denzel Washington, Ava DuVernay, Regina King, Kerry Washington, Courtney B. Vance, Charles D. King, Janelle Monáe, Tiffany Haddish, Ryan Coogler, Don Cheadle, Will Packer, Queen Latifah, Lena Waithe, Terrence Howard, F. Gary Gray, Issa Rae, Diahann Carroll, Billy Dee Williams, Omari Hardwick, and the late Louis Gossett, Jr.

The production company, ABFF Honors, is led by Nicole and Jeff Friday from Nice Crowd, in collaboration with dePasse Jones Entertainment and Rikki Hughes’ team at Magic Lemonade.

2024-12-11 19:46

Keke Palmer, Giancarlo Esposito and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor to Receive ABFF Honors (EXCLUSIVE)

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