Today, the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) and BET Networks announced the 2017 ABFF Honors television and movie nominees. ABFF Honors is an annual gala saluting excellence in motion pictures and television. Its mission is to celebrate Black culture by recognizing individuals, movies and television shows that have had a significant impact on American entertainment, as well as those who are proponents of championing diversity and inclusion in Hollywood. “BET Presents American Black Film Festival Honors” will tape in Los Angeles at the Beverly Hilton on Friday, February 17, and will air on BET and Centric, Wednesday, February 22 at 8:00PM ET.
Actress Regina Hall will host this year’s annual event.
This year’s nominees for “Movie of the Year” and “Television Show of the Year” follow below.
Nominees for “Movie of the Year” are:
THE BIRTH OF A NATION (Fox Searchlight)
FENCES (Paramount)
HIDDEN FIGURES (20th Century Fox)
MOONLIGHT (A24)
QUEEN OF KATWE (The Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
Nominees for “Television Show of the Year” are:
ATLANTA (FX)
BLACK-ish (ABC)
INSECURE (HBO)
POWER (STARZ)
QUEEN SUGAR (OWN)
To qualify for movie of the year, the film must have been directed by or feature a person of African descent in the leading role and had a U.S. theatrical release, or broadcast premiere on a domestic television network/streaming platform during the 2016 calendar year. To qualify for television show of the year, the scripted television series (comedy or drama) must be created by or feature a person of African descent in the leading role and had a season premiere on a domestic television network or streaming platform during the 2016 calendar year.
The winners of both categories will be determined by the popular vote of the 2017 ABFF Honors Awards Jury, a blue ribbon panel of actors, filmmakers, film critics and entertainment diversity executives, and the general public with public voting scheduled to begin Tuesday, January 26 at ABFFHonors.com/vote.
“We are excited to partner with BET again for the 2017 American Black Film Festival Honors. The show is a crucial platform, highlighting the efforts and successes of African American talent in film and television. This year will celebrate the remarkable works of some of today’s most sought after actors, directors and producers,” says Jeff Friday, ABFF Ventures CEO.
In addition to recognizing the top television shows and films of the year, ABFF Honors will pay tribute to industry legends, along with today’s creative forces, who together inspire the actors and content creators of tomorrow. Honorees to be revealed soon.
ABFF Honors will be one of the highlights of the Hollywood Awards season and Black History Month. The event is executive produced by ABFF Ventures founder Jeff Friday, Suzanne de Passe and Madison Jones for de Passe Jones Entertainment, Jesse Collins for Jesse Collins Entertainment, and Connie Orlando, Stephen G. Hill and Debra Lee for BET Networks.
