The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) celebrated excellence in Black filmmaking with its annual awards ceremony. Notable honorees included Giancarlo Esposito, Marla Gibbs, and Keke Palmer. The event featured speeches from the recipients, reflecting on their journeys, the importance of community, and the power of Black storytelling.
commenced the awards presentation portion of the ceremony — hosted by comedian Zainab Johnson — by recalling words of wisdom his Marvel film co-starAnthony Mackie on Embracing His New Role in 'Captain America': "Doing As Much As We Could With These Wings" “He said, ‘Look here, man.
You want to be a working actor, you have to work to work on your craft,’” Mackie shared. “’Sometimes that means you won’t get paid. The value is in working on your craft.’” Esposito, who received the Excellence in the Arts Award, echoed a similar refrain in his acceptance speech. “I feel like the journey for me has been to know me more and who I am, and to learn how to get out of the way,” he told the crowd. “And when I can get out of the way, I realize all I’ve ever wanted was to be committed to something I love to do. And because I love it, I won’t work a day in my life.”“In the ‘80s, there were very, very few women of any color or complexion in Hollywood that were doing what Marla was doing,” King began. “She wasn’t just an actress — she was a writer, a producer, a singer; she owned a performing arts academy, Crossroads, where we did the play,. She owned a jazz supper club, Marla’s Memory Lane, where world-class musicians came to perform. Let’s be clear, she wasn’t just starring in a hit TV show, she was running the show off-screen, too.” Gibbs, 93, in accepting the honor, demonstrated the humor she’s been known for throughout her 50-plus-year career after expressing gratitude to ABFF for honoring her while she’s still living. Pointing out her agents, Mike Baldridge and Garry Purdy, who joined her on stage, Gibbs made a hilarious plea to the crowd. “They know that I’m ready to work again,” said Gibbs. “Anybody got any projects?”in December as a live band played the “That’s Mufasa” song created by the talk show’s staff. Pierre was far more serious in his speech, thanking God for a “new beginning” as he recalled the early struggles that led to becoming the 2025 Rising Star honoree. “Thank you for any and all blessings you give me; yes, even the ones that in the moment I didn’t identify as such. The moments when my bank balance was below zero. The moments when I had to sell my belongings for real cash. The moments when I felt somewhat delusional and questioned whether it was accurate to describe my occupation as that of an actor as I was unemployed and the phone was ringing silent.”— then went on to recognize his late grandmother. “In 2022, my family lost a matriarch, my grandmother. My grandmother was born and raised in Jamaica and ventured to London in hopes of discovering opportunities for her children and for her children’s children. I’d like to dedicate this award to my grandmother,” said Pierre. “I love you and I hope you are proud.”The writer and director shared a conversation he had with Palmer on set in which he asked whether she still feels the magic of movie-making after being in the industry for so long. “She said, ‘What I like is people,’” Riley recalled. “’What I like is working together to make a thing and having this thing for the world to see that we all collaborated on.’” Palmer doubled down on that sentiment as she accepted the Renaissance Award, crediting fans and supporters for her longevity onscreen. “I want to emphasize that one of my greatest collaborators has always been and will always be my community. I’m so fortunate to have a film in theaters right now that’s, which she executive produced and stars in with SZA. “But let me tell you guys, it wasn’t always like that. I remember when I started out withand it didn’t perform well. I remember everybody kept saying, ‘This movie’s gonna be great, everybody’s gonna love this movie,’ and when it came in the theaters, it bombed and so did people’s excitement about me. It wasn’t until it became accessible online and on DVD that it found its audience and our community made it a beloved classic.” Palmer then declared her commitment to returning that love to those coming behind her. “The brand that you’ve come to know as Keke Palmer is far more than just me to me. It represents what can be accomplished when the community lifts you up, and when you in turn can offer your support to it,” she said. “This is not just about one individual; it’s about the collective power of us all.” “Through my work, I have always strived to tell stories that honor the nuances of our lives, and as the founder of KeyTV Network it is my mission to empower creators, giving them tools, resources, and education to bring their vision to life and to understand that they do have the power to build their own business,” Palmer continued. “We deserve to be seen, but we also deserve to claim our rightful share in the things that we create. I may be one person, but my spirit is mighty and my passion for my culture is what drives me forward. Black American culture, guys, is American culture.” Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, who accepted the final honor of the evening, the Excellence in the Arts Award presented to her by director, reverberated Palmer’s enthusiasm for Black creators having ownership of their art. “Messages of another seat at the table are deaf to me,“ said theEllis-Taylor concluded by expressing gratitude for the fire that’d been lit under her during the ceremony to dismantle the systemic factors that disenfranchise Black artists. “Audrey Lorde said, ‘You can’t use the master’s tools to tear down the master’s house,’ so I thank you ABFF because you are encouraging me to tear down that house. To tear down that wall. To tear down that house and reclaim the land because it’s mine.”‘Blue Moon’ Review: Ethan Hawke and Margaret Qualley Mesmerize in Richard Linklater’s Affecting Study of a Gifted Artist on a Downhill SlideDanielle Directo-Meston. 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ABFF Awards Giancarlo Esposito Marla Gibbs Keke Palmer Black Filmmakers Hollywood
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