The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) Honors is set to pay tribute to the indomitable Angela Bassett, honoring her with the prestigious Excellence in the Arts Award. This event will take place on February 16, 2026, at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. Known for its intimate, non-televised setting, the ABFF Honors will bring together industry luminaries and festival partners to celebrate the achievements of noteworthy individuals in filmmaking.
The Excellence in the Arts Award is a recognition of sustained artistic excellence and significant contributions to the film industry. Bassett will be joined by other honorees, including Dwayne Johnson, who is to receive the Entertainment Icon Award, and Jennifer Hudson, who will accept the Renaissance Award for her work on “The Jennifer Hudson Show.” Salli Richardson-Whitfield will be honored with the Evolution Award, while actor Damson Idris will receive the Horizon Award. Such a constellation of talent shines a light on the impressive achievements of Black artists in cinema.
This year’s ABFF Honors will also spotlight the creative efforts behind the movie “Sinners,” a collaboration among filmmakers Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, and Sev Ohanian, featuring the beloved actor Michael B. Jordan. The evening will be hosted by New York Times best-selling author and comedian KevOnStage, promising an entertaining atmosphere filled with humor and appreciation for the arts.
According to the news release from NICE CROWD, the organizers behind the event, CEO Jeff Friday and President Nicole Friday stated, “Angela Bassett is the embodiment of excellence. Her body of work is both extraordinary and enduring, defined by performances that are fearless, powerful, and deeply human. She has set a standard for artistic integrity and cultural impact that continues to inspire generations, and we are honored to celebrate her remarkable career with the Excellence in the Arts Award.” Their words highlight Bassett’s influence and the high regard in which she is held within the industry.
Bassett’s illustrious career spans decades and has seen her take on transformative roles in both film and television. She is an Honorary Oscar recipient and an Emmy Award-winning actress, director, and executive producer. Some of her most notable films include “Malcolm X,” “Waiting to Exhale,” “How Stella Got Her Groove Back,” and “What’s Love Got to Do With It,” the latter earning her an Academy Award nomination. More recently, her performances in “Black Panther” and its sequel, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” have solidified her status as a powerhouse in Hollywood.
Her portrayal of Queen Ramonda in “Wakanda Forever” garnered her nominations for the Golden Globe, Critics Choice Awards, Academy Award, SAG, and BAFTA. She also received the Variety Creative Impact in Acting Award for her significant contributions to the industry. Beyond acting, Bassett recently won her first Emmy for Outstanding Narrator for her work on the NatGeo series “Queens,” showcasing her versatility and depth as a storyteller.
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