Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Giancarlo Esposito and Keke Palmer will be honored at the 7th American Black Film Festival (ABFF) Honors in February.
Presented by Nice Crowd, the 7th American Black Film Festival Honors will take place on Feb. 17 at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills. Actress and comedian Zainab Johnson is set to host. Part of the ceremony will include Ellis-Taylor and Giancarlo Esposito receiving the Excellence in the Arts Award and Palmer receiving the Renaissance Award.
The Excellence in the Arts Award recognizes one female and one male actor each “for their body of work and distinguished achievements,” according to ABFF. Ellis-Taylor’s resume includes her portrayal of Oracene Price in King Richard and her most recent performance as Hattie in Nickel Boys. Esposito’s roles include playing the now-infamous Gus Fring in Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul.
The Renaissance Award is given to “a trendsetting content creator in recognition of their outstanding work and commitment to championing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the motion picture and television industry, through their work.” Palmer certainly fits the bill as an Emmy-winning actor, singer, writer, producer, CEO and any other title she puts her mind to. The multihyphenate talent is also seen as a “passionate voice of the millennial generation.” Palmer is set to star in the upcoming comedy One of Them Days, opposite SZA.
“For decades, these incredible ABFF honorees have captivated audiences and shaped the cultural landscape with their groundbreaking work,” NICE CROWD CEO and President Jeff and Nicole Friday in a statement. “It’s a privilege to honor Aunjanue, Giancarlo and Keke for their extraordinary contributions to both the industry and our shared culture.”
“This year is particularly special as we welcome Zainab Johnson as the host of the ABFF Honors, celebrating her inspiring journey from winning the 2013 ABFF Comedy Wings Competition to now leading this incredible celebration,” the two continued. “We look forward to recognizing their remarkable achievements and coming together with our amazing ABFF community to honor their lasting impact.”