Angela Bassett’s career has never been defined by a single moment—but by decades of intention, power, and undeniable impact. That legacy will be front and center this awards season as the iconic actress, director, and executive producer is set to receive the Excellence in the Arts Award at the 8th annual American Black Film Festival Honors.
Presented by NICE CROWD, the 2026 ABFF Honors will take place Monday, February 16 at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills. The intimate, non-televised dinner brings together honorees, creatives, and festival partners for a night dedicated to celebrating Black excellence across film and television.
The Excellence in the Arts Award recognizes a highly acclaimed artist whose body of work and career achievements have left a lasting imprint on the industry. Few embody that distinction more fully than Bassett—an artist whose performances have consistently shifted culture, challenged narratives, and expanded what’s possible for Black women on screen.
From her searing portrayal of Betty Shabazz in Malcolm X to her Oscar-nominated turn as Tina Turner in What’s Love Got to Do With It, Bassett has built a filmography rooted in truth, strength, and emotional depth. Her work spans defining classics like Waiting to Exhale and How Stella Got Her Groove Back to global blockbusters including Black Panther and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Her return as Queen Ramonda in Wakanda Forever earned her a Golden Globe and Critics Choice Award, along with Academy Award, SAG, and BAFTA nominations—further cementing her place as one of the most respected performers of her generation.
On television, Bassett continues to lead both in front of and behind the camera. She stars in and executive produces ABC’s hit drama 9-1-1 and made history with her first Emmy win for Outstanding Narrator for National Geographic’s Queens. Beyond acting, she directs and produces through Bassett Vance Productions, which holds an overall deal with 20th Television—extending her influence into shaping the next wave of storytelling.
Her impact reaches far beyond awards. Bassett is a TIME 100 honoree, a TIME Women of the Year recipient, a Disney Legend, and a Yale University graduate with both a B.A. and M.F.A. Her honors include multiple Emmy nominations, a SAG Award, two Golden Globes, 16 NAACP Image Awards, the Black Girls Rock! Icon Award, and an Honorary Academy Award—each reflecting a career defined by excellence, consistency, and cultural resonance.
The evening will also recognize a powerful slate of honorees across entertainment. As previously announced, Dwayne Johnson will receive the Entertainment Icon Award, Jennifer Hudson will be honored with the Renaissance Award, trailblazing director and executive producer Salli Richardson-Whitfield will receive the Evolution Award, and critically acclaimed actor Damson Idris will be presented with the Horizon Award.
ABFF Honors will also pay special tribute to the creative team behind Sinners, recognizing the cinematic achievement of Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, and Sev Ohanian, alongside star Michael B. Jordan. The evening will be hosted by New York Times bestselling author and comedian KevOnStage.
“Angela Bassett is the embodiment of excellence,” said NICE CROWD CEO and President Jeff Friday and Nicole Friday in a joint statement, praising a career defined by fearless performances, artistic integrity, and enduring cultural impact.
Founded in 2016, ABFF Honors is the awards-season extension of the American Black Film Festival, created by Jeff Friday in 1997. The ceremony celebrates Black artists whose work has shaped American entertainment while championing diversity and inclusion in Hollywood. Over nearly three decades, ABFF has become a cornerstone for Black storytelling—premiering breakthrough work, nurturing careers, and setting the standard for excellence in Black creative expression.
With this honor, Angela Bassett joins a legacy not just of celebrated artists—but of storytellers whose work continues to resonate, inspire, and redefine what excellence looks like on screen.