The Knockturnal had the privilege of attending the fifth American Black Film Festival Honors. The annual awards season gala pays tribute to black excellence in the television and cinema industry. It is a timely celebration that precedes the Oscars, and it is a unique awards show in the sense the event focuses on honoring and celebrating black artists, rather than winners and losers. This awards show is significant because without it, there may be black artists that get overlooked. Interviewees emphasized the importance of the general public seeing work that represents black individuals created by black artists. The creatives reinforced the idea that television and cinema informed by black artists has the capacity to change the audiences’ perceptions through accurately depicted representation.
The event, which was held at the gorgeous 1 Hotel West Hollywood, was hosted by actor and comedian Deon Cole. Honorees included Courtney Vance and Kerry Washington for the Excellence in the Arts Award, Charles D. King for the Industry Leadership Awards, Janelle Monae for the Renaissance Award, and Eve’s Bayou for the Classic Cinema Award, and many more. Eve’s Bayou, the American Southern Gothic drama film written and directed by Kasi Lemmons and starring Samuel Jackson, was awarded the Classic Cinema Award. This award is a “special tribute to a time-honored film that has left an indelible impact on American audiences”. Red carpet attendees hope that everyone who has not seen Eve’s Bayou yet gets the chance to, and views it as a classic. Overall, the American Black Film Festival Honors was a joyous occasion in which each recipient was able to celebrate one another.