The American Black Film Festival Honors Announces ”Movie Of The Year” Nominees For 2020

Written By: @lessh

The American Black Film Festival will be held in Miami Beach on June 17–21, 2020. But, just months before the 24th annual event, ABFF will celebrate black culture and artists who have contributed to the entertainment industry at the 2020 American Black Film Festival Honors.

According to a press release, the ABFF Honors ”is an annual awards season gala dedicated to saluting excellence in the motion picture and television industry,” celebrating artists who ”have made distinguished contributions to American entertainment through their work, as well as those who champion diversity and inclusion.”

As part of the ceremony, which will be hosted by comedian and actor, Deon Cole, ABFF will be awarding the 2020 Movie of the Year” award, which is ”presented to the best feature-length film of the year” directed by and/or starring people of African descent.

According to ABFF, this year’s nominees are ”Black & Blue,” directed by Deon Taylor, starring Academy Award-nominee Naomie Harris and Tyrese Gibson;  ”Dolemite Is My Name,” directed by Craig Brewer, starring Academy Award-nominated Eddie Murphy, Keegan-Michael Key, Mike Epps, Craig Robinson, Tituss Burgess, and Wesley Snipes; ”Harriet,” directed by Kasi Lemmons and starring Golden Globe and SAG Award nominee Cynthia Erivo, who – as previously announced – is set to receive the 2020 ABFF Honors’ “Rising Star” Award, which has previously been presented to Tiffany Haddish (Kids Say the Darndest Things), Issa Rae (Insecure) and Ryan Coogler (Black Panther). Also in the running for ”Movie of the Year” is ”Just Mercy,” directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, starring Michael B. Jordan and Academy Award-winner Jamie Foxx; ”The Last Black Man in San Francisco,” directed by Joe Talbot, written by and starring Jimmie Fails; ”Queen & Slim,” directed by two-time Grammy Award-winner Melina Matsoukas, starring Daniel Kaluuya and Jodie Turner-Smith; and ”Us,” written and directed by Jordan Peele, starring Academy Award-winner Lupita Nyong’o.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀

The exclusive event will take place on February 23, in Los Angeles.