The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) on Monday announced this year’s honorees for its annual ABFF Honors awards ceremony, “recognizing excellence in the motion picture and television industry.” This year, the organization will celebrate the creative team behind Sinners, including writer-director-producer Ryan Coogler, producer Zinzi Coogler and producer Sev Ohanian.
Starring Michael B. Jordan, the film’s team also includes cinematographer Autumn Durald, costume designer Ruth E. Carter and production designer Hannah Beachler, all of whom will be recognized by ABFF.
The ABFF Honors will also award Jennifer Hudson, host of The Jennifer Hudson Show, the Renaissance Award, director and executive producer Salli Richardson-Whitfield the Evolution Award and F1 actor Damson Idris the Horizon Award.
“This year’s honorees each represent the spirit of what ABFF stands for — creativity, excellence, and purpose,” said CEO and president of Nice Crowd, which presents the ABFF Honors, 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. Jennifer Hudson continues to inspire with her extraordinary talent and authenticity; Salli Richardson-Whitfield has evolved 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. 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.”
The 2026 ABFF Honors will take place on Feb. 16 at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, and will be hosted by author and comedian KevOnStage. ABFF Honors are part of the American Black Film Festival, which was founded by Jeff Friday in 1997, and is the “leading festival of its kind showcasing Black storytelling,” according to the organization. “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 its annual awards season gala and was founded in 2016.
