Last night, at the Midtown Hilton in New York, The American Black Film Festival held its 19th annual awards ceremony.
After a weekend of honoring, celebrating and promoting the creative talents of African Americans, last night this year’s winners were announced and presented with awards. The highlights of the ceremony included ABFF founder and host Jeff Friday’s hilarious remarks throughout the night, V Bozeman’s performances and career achievement award winner Jenifer Lewis’ acceptance speech. Jenifer Lewis’ extensive body of work, not only speaks for itself, but demonstrates Lewis’ dedication to her craft. Not only has Lewis had an amazing career, she recently received an honorary doctorate from Webster University, is currently writing a memoir and is now a regular on Blackish, which was the joke at last night’s ceremony. Lewis gave a moving speech encouraging young actors to take control of their lives and to not wait for their success to happen. She opened up about her bipolar disorder and how important it is to ask for help and reminded us that in a world of 7.2 billion people there is someone who cares. Check out the full list of last night’s winners below.
“BEST OF THE ABFF” AUDIENCE AWARD (TIE)
(Presented by VH1)
KNUCKLEHEAD
Directed by: Ben Bowman
Written by: Bryan Abrams, Ben Bowman
Produced by: Gbenga Akinnagbe, Ben Bowman
Executive Producers: Jonathan Gray, Debra Azemar
Cast: Gbenga Akinnagbe, Alfre Woodard, Amari Cheatom, Justin Myrick, Nikiya Mathis, Carla Duren
AND
LAST NIGHT
Directed by: Harold Jackson III
Written by: Harold Jackson III
Produced by: Harold Jackson III, Hope Taylor, Prince Levy Jr., Latecia Durham
Cast: Judi Blair, Danny Gavigan, Benton Greene, Nedra McClyde, Nikkole Salter
GRAND JURY PRIZE FOR BEST SCREENPLAY
(Presented by Time Warner Foundation)
LAST NIGHT
Directed by: Harold Jackson III
Written by: Harold Jackson III
Produced by: Harold Jackson III, Hope Taylor, Prince Levy Jr., Latecia Durham
Cast: Judi Blair, Danny Gavigan, Benton Greene, Nedra McClyde, Nikkole Salter
GRAND JURY AWARD FOR BEST DIRECTOR
(Presented by Cadillac)
THE NIGHT BEFORE
Directed by: Kenny Young
Written by: Kenny Young
Produced by: Phil James, Lisa D. Washington, Kim Hardin
Executive Producers: Angela White, Felicia James
Cast: Colin Egglesfield, David Faustino, Fred Willard, Anna Hutchinson, Brian White, Gary Owen
GRAND JURY AWARD FOR BEST NARRATIVE
(Presented by Prudential)
THE NIGHT BEFORE
Directed by: Kenny Young
Written by: Kenny Young
Produced by: Phil James, Lisa D. Washington, Kim Hardin
Executive Producers: Angela White, Felicia James
Cast: Colin Egglesfield, David Faustino, Fred Willard, Anna Hutchinson, Brian White, Gary Owen
GRAND JURY AWARD FOR BEST ACTOR
(Presented by ASPIRE)
LISA ARRINDELL ANDERSON
IN
THE SIN SEER
Directed by: Paul D. Hannah
Written by: Paul D. Hannah
Produced by: Paul D. Hannah, Angela White, Isaiah Washington
HBO® SHORT FILM COMPETITION
STANHOPE
Directed by: Solvan Naim
Written by: Solvan Naim
Produced by: Solvan Naim, Akshay Bhansali
Cast: Malik Lockett, Johnnie Mae, Rob Morgan, Nedra McClyde, Simeon Buresch
BEST WEB ORIGINAL
(Presented by Comcast NBCUniversal)
AMERICAN KOKO
Directed by: Diarra Kilpatrick & Miles Orion Feld
Written by: Diarra Kilpatrick
Produced by: Anna Micayla Feld
Cast: Diarra Kilpatrick, Terrence Colby Clemons, Miles Orion Feld, Elaine Kao, Cedric Sanders
BEST DOCUMENTARY
(Presented by BET Networks)
ALTHEA
Directed by: Rex Miller
Produced by: Nancy Buirski, Elisabeth Haviland James, Rex Miller
Executive Producers: John Amos, Billie Jean King, William Ackman
Principal Subject(s): Billie Jean King, Nick Bollettieri, David Dinkins, Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe
ABFF TALENT COMPEITIONS
COMEDY WINGS COMPETITION WINNER (Presented by HBO)
Chastity Washington
MCDONALD’S LOVIN’ VIDEO COMPETITION WINNER
PUPPY LOVE
Written and Directed by Richard T. Fields
STAR PROJECT (Presented by NBCUniversal)
Female – Asha Kamali
Male – Rahmell Peebles
TV ONE SCREENPLAY COMPETITION
DEADBEAT DAD REHAB
Written by Keronoda “Kiki” McKnight
CAREER ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Jenifer Lewis
-Nishat Baig
