American Black Film Festival is picking up where the Oscars left off with ABFF Honors, an annual gala and awards ceremony that recognizes those who have made notable contributions to American culture by way of film and television, and those who have placed diversity and inclusion at the frontlines of Hollywood.
[RELATED: #OscarsSoWhite Picking Up Steam]
The event, formerly the Black Movie Awards, takes place Feb. 21, 2016 at the Beverly Hills Hilton, exactly one week before the Oscars. This year’s nominees include TV shows black-ish and How to Get Away With Murder, and films Beasts of No Nation and Chi-Raq.
[RELATED: Open Letter to Hollywood: Because Hollywoodn’t]
Actor and comedian Mike Epps will host this year’s ABFF Awards, and legendary actress, singer, and author Diahann Carroll will receive the first-ever ABFF Honors Hollywood Legacy Award.
[RELATED: Black Filmmakers Need Blockbuster Opportunities]
In response to the lack of diversity among this year’s Oscar nominees and the hashtag #OscarsSoWhite, ABFF Founder and CEO Jeff Friday participated in a Black Enterprise Facebook chat last week addressing the issue:
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#OscarsSoWhite – Talking Oscar snubs with Black Enterprise Partner Jeff Friday, founder of The American Black Film Festival #ABFFHonors
Posted by Black Enterprise on Thursday, January 14, 2016
Black Enterprise will bring you exclusive coverage of ABFF Awards and continue to cover developments around #OscarsSoWhite between now and February 28, when the Oscars airs on ABC.
“ABFF Awards: A Celebration of Hollywood,†airs on BET and Centric Tuesday, February 23rd at 8 p.m. ET/PT.