On February 23, theAmerican Black Film Festivalwill honor two incredible talents of screen storytelling. Legendary actorLouis Gossett, Jr.will receive the organization’s Hollywood Legacy Award for his lifetime achievements in the industry, and actor/writer/producerLena Waithewill receive the Industry Renaissance Award for creating works that further create opportunities for other people of color. The ceremony will be hosted by comedianDeon Colein Los Angeles.
“We’re honored to celebrate these two extraordinary talents,” said ABFF Ventures CEOJeff FridaytoVariety. “These awards not only recognize how Mr. Gossett’s contributions have propelled the industry forward but also acknowledge a new generation of trailblazers in people like Ms. Waithe, who will continue to create change and new opportunities in film and television for people of color.”
In 2019, Gossett starred in HBO’s critically acclaimedWatchmen. Before then, he was the first African-American to win the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in 1982’sAn Officer and a Gentleman. He’s also performed in such acclaimed works asA Raisin in the Sun,Roots,Sadat, andEnemy Mine. Waithe’s 2019 involved writing and producing acclaimed filmQueen & Slimand continuing her Showtime showThe Chi. She’s the first African American woman to win the Emmy for Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series forMaster of None, and has created Hillman Grad Productions, a company aiming to tell more representative stories on screen. She’s also appeared in works likeReady Player Oneand the Netflix adaptation ofDear White People.
At the ceremony, the ABFF will also honorCynthia Erivo(Harriet) with the Rising Star Award. They will also grantDavid Simon’sThe Wirewith the Classic Television Award. After a dispiriting sense of moving backward in the awards show conversations with a mostly white maleBAFTA crop of nomineesand aDGA series of all-male directing nominees, it’s downright refreshing to hear about an awards ceremony dedicated to the important cause of inclusion and representation.
For more on the awards show season, check out what theGolden Globes winnersmight mean for the Oscars. Plus – ourfavorite speechesfrom that night.
