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ABFF Honors 2026 Salutes Angela Bassett, Jennifer Hudson And Salli Richardson's Powerful Impact On Hollywood
The 8th American Black Film Festival (ABFF) Honors celebrated excellence in motion picture and television, honoring trailblazing artists.
Published on Feb. 18, 2026
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The 8th American Black Film Festival (ABFF) Honors was held on February 16th, 2026 in Beverly Hills, California. The event, hosted by comedian KevOnStage, honored and recognized excellence in the motion picture and television industry. This year's honorees included director Ryan Coogler, producer Zinzi Coogler, and producer Sev Ohanian for their work on the film Sinners, as well as Jennifer Hudson, Salli Richardson-Whitfield, and Damson Idris.
Why it matters
The ABFF Honors is an important event that celebrates and uplifts Black artists and storytellers in Hollywood. By recognizing the contributions of filmmakers, actors, and producers like the honorees, the event helps to promote diversity, inclusion, and the power of authentic Black narratives in the entertainment industry.
The details
The ABFF Honors ceremony paid tribute to several trailblazing artists. The creative team behind the film Sinners, including director Ryan Coogler, producer Zinzi Coogler, and producer Sev Ohanian, were honored for their bold and visionary storytelling. Jennifer Hudson received the Renaissance Award for her extraordinary talent and authenticity, while Salli Richardson-Whitfield was recognized with the Evolution Award for her inspiring work as a director and executive producer. Damson Idris was presented with the Horizon Award, celebrating the brilliance and promise of a new generation of talent.
- The 8th American Black Film Festival (ABFF) Honors was held on February 16, 2026.
The players
Ryan Coogler
A writer, producer, and director whose bold storytelling continues to shape the landscape of American cinema.
Zinzi Coogler
A producer who accepted the honor on behalf of the Sinners creative team.
Sev Ohanian
A producer who was part of the Sinners creative team.
Jennifer Hudson
An EGOT-winning artist and acclaimed talk show host who received the Renaissance Award.
Salli Richardson-Whitfield
A prolific Emmy-nominated director and executive producer who received the Evolution Award.
What they’re saying
“To our cast, our crew, our assistants, our reps, our collaborators, across every part of making and releasing centers. This story was set in Mississippi during the Jim Crow era in 1932 My father was born in 1931 in Chicago, and will turn 95 years old in a couple weeks. His parents, my grandparents, were born in Mississippi before migrating north to Chicago to raise their eight children. Working on sinners allowed me to dive into the history of my family, my not far distant ancestors and imagine a fantastical life they might have lived.”
— Zinzi Coogler, Producer (ABFF Honors)
“I really sat here and thought about what it meant to receive an evolution award from this place, I just realized how much of a full circle moment. It is for me, because I was here 30 years ago at the very first festival as a young actress with big dreams, a lot of hope,and no idea how long the road would be. I didn't arrive in Los Angeles with a master plan, I arrived with belief. I wasn't focused on failure or backup plans. I wasn't calculating on how hard it would be or how many doors would close. I moved forward with momentum and looking back that wasn't naiveté it was courage before fear had a chance to step in. Because when you're not busy convincing yourself why something won't work, you give yourself permission to try to take risks. You move.”
— Salli Richardson-Whitfield, Director and Executive Producer (ABFF Honors)
“I'm a dreamer, and I am very curious and always a student. So I get to sit and learn each and every day from everybody, and it's a gift. And even when we fail, sometimes that's not a negative thing, because when we do it is a lesson, and learning a lesson is positive. It's only going to help you grow.”
— Jennifer Hudson (ABFF Honors)
“I've been thinking a lot about excellence. What it really means, endurance, commitment, the decision to keep showing up, even when circumstances feel heavy, even when the welcome feels uncertain, even when the world tells you, explicitly or quietly, that there may no longer be room for you. What pushed me to keep going was hope. Tonight, I accept this award, this honor, not as a finish line, but as a reminder, a reminder of responsibility, a reminder of possibility, a reminder of the work that's still ahead.”
— Angela Bassett (ABFF Honors)
The takeaway
The ABFF Honors celebrated the powerful impact of Black artists and storytellers in Hollywood, underscoring the importance of promoting diversity, inclusion, and authentic representation in the entertainment industry. The event's honorees, including trailblazers like Angela Bassett, Jennifer Hudson, and Salli Richardson-Whitfield, serve as inspiring examples of the transformative potential of Black creativity and excellence.
