By Bill Vaughan
Entertainment Writer
The seventh American Black Film Festival announced the honorees of its annual awards ceremony recognizing excellence in the motion picture and television industry.
The 2025 ABFF Honors recipients are:
• Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor (“King Richard,” “Exhibiting Forgiveness,” “The Supremes at Earl’s All You Can Eat”) currently starring in the adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel “Nickel Boys.”
• Award-winning actor, director, and producer Giancarlo Esposito (“Breaking Bad,” “The Mandalorian,” “The Boys”) whose upcoming projects include “Captain America: Brave New World,” the Russo Brothers‘ “The Electric State,” and Shonda Rhimes‘ ‘The Residence.”
• Emmy award-winning multihyphenate entertainer Keke Palmer (“Nope,” “Akeelah and the Bee”), who is host of NBC’s “Password,” and author of the New York Times best-selling inspirational memoir “Master of Me: The Secret to Controlling Your Narrative.” Palmer will next be seen on the big screen co-starring with popular recording artist SZA in “One of Them Days” opening in theaters Jan. 17, during Martin Luther King Jr. weekend.
“For decades, these incredible ABFF honorees have captivated audiences and shaped the cultural landscape with their groundbreaking work,” said Nice Crowd CEO and President Jeff and Nicole Friday. “It’s a privilege to honor Aunjanue, Giancarlo and Keke for their extraordinary contributions to both the industry and our shared culture.”
2025 ABFF Honors, taking place on Feb. 17 at the SLS hotel in Beverly Hills, and hosted by actress and comedian Zainab Johnson, was founded in 2016. The ceremony pays tribute to Black artists who have made significant contributions to American entertainment through their work as well as those who champion diversity and inclusion in Hollywood.
MORE FESTIVAL NEWS: Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson’s “SLY LIVES! (aka The Burden of Black Genius),” an examination of the life and legacy of Sly & The Family Stone — the groundbreaking band led by the charismatic and enigmatic Sly Stone — will have its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival Jan. 23–Feb. 2, in Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah. The film captures the band’s rise, reign and subsequent fadeout while shedding light on the unseen burden that comes with success for Black artists in America.
Among the other features having premieres at the celebrated fest are Rachael Abigail Holder’s “Love, Brooklyn” starring André Holland, Nicole Beharie, DeWanda Wise, Roy Wood Jr., and Cassandra Freeman; Rashad Frett’s “Ricky” with Stephan James and Sheryl Lee Ralph; Kahlil Joseph’s “BLKNWS: Terms & Conditions featuring Shaunette Renée Wilson and Penny Johnson Jerald; and Bill Condon’s remake of “Kiss of the Spider Woman” starring Diego Luna and Jennifer Lopez.
Don’t fret if you can’t get to Utah. Many of the films are available to the public in an online capacity. Visit Sundance.org for more information.
TASTY QUIP: “My country is run by criminals, but that criminality is seen as completely different than a Black kid on the corner who might buy, sell marijuana. The Black kid is in prison for years, while criminals are elected and make millions of dollars and sell electric cars.” – AVA DuVERNAY at the Marrakech Film Festival
COMING SOON: The iconic Blue Note Jazz Club is expanding to Los Angeles, bringing the legendary reputation of its renowned New York flagship to a new Sunset Boulevard venue with two performance spaces to open in March.
In addition to the new venue, Blue Note and the LA Phil confirm a partnership for the newly named Blue Note Jazz Festival (June 14-15) — formerly the storied Hollywood Bowl Jazz Festival — beginning the upcoming Hollywood Bowl 2025 season to be announced on Feb. 18.
Blue Note Los Angeles also continues the venue’s partnership with five-time Grammy-winning artist, composer, producer and frequent collaborator Robert Glasper to host and curate once-in-a-lifetime performances that showcase his mastery at the intersection of jazz, R&B and hip-hop.
CLIPPETTES: Digable Planets, Pharcyde & Arrested Development are at The Novo on Dec. 20 as Cory Henry Presents an Evening to Live in Love at The Mint, John Beasley’s Holidaze with Michael Mayo is hosted by the BroadStage, David Archuleta performs at The Peppermint Club, and Billie Eilish spends two more nights at The Forum …
The Novo presents Brian McKnight: Season’s Greetings on Dec. 21 while saxophonist Jessy J is at Spaghettini’s and Deon Cole: Does This Work? plays The Improv (also Dec. 23) …
Sunday Jazz presented by Leimert Park Jazz Festival commences with Jonathan Pinson at ORA on Dec. 22 …
Smooth Jazz mainstays Mindi Abair, Marcus Anderson, and Lindsey Webster are at Spaghettini’s Dec. 23, as the Hollywood Improv’s Monderays with DeRay Davis is happening …
Ellis Hall: A Funky & Soulful Christmas Eve Celebration is happening Dec. 24 at Vibrato Grill while master drummer Najite Agindotan brings West African Conga Rhythms and Beats to The World Stage.
TASTY QUIP: “The world we’re in right now, it’s really hard for y’all to like discern what’s real and what’s true, you know? And I’ve been seeing y’all memes and stuff. Some of it’s funny, but I haven’t addressed any of this publicly, but I just want to say this very clearly: I don’t have s–t to do with Puffy. So y’all can stop all those memes. Don’t be putting me in other people’s bs. I ain’t been nowhere near that man, So, whenever y’all hear it, if somebody say that, it’s a damn lie. I don’t even like baby oil.” – WILL SMITH
TC ON TV: Dec. 20 – “The Six Triple Eight” (Netflix): During World War II, the only U.S. Women’s Army Corps unit of color stationed overseas takes on an impossible mission in Tyler Perry‘s drama based on a true story. Executive produced and starring Kerry Washington, with Ebony Obsidian, Donna Biscoe, Sam Waterston and Oprah Winfrey as Mary McCleod Bethune. “Umjolo: Day Ones” (Netflix): A steamy, heartfelt South African movie about besties attempting to get out of the “friend zone.” “Adopted” (Tubi): Drew Sidora (“Real Housewives of Atlanta”) stars in Chris Stokes’ latest thriller about a couple whose new son hides a dark side. “Today” (NBC): Step Afrika! “The View” (ABC): Jordin Sparks “102nd National Christmas Tree Lighting” (CBS): Hosted by Mickey Guyton with performances from Trombone Shorty, The War and Treaty, Adam Blackstone, Stephen Sanchez, James Taylor and Muni Long.
Dec. 21 – “Get Him Back For Christmas” (GAF): Starring Alexa PenaVega and Carlos PenaVega with special appearances by Mario Lopez and the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. “24-Karat Christmas” (OWN): When an unlucky-in-love jewelry designer (Samantha Marie Ware) accidentally sends a set of Christmas wedding bands off with the wrong person, she and the charming best man (Curtis Hamilton) must work together to track them down.
Dec. 22 – “What If…?” (Disney+): Jeffrey Wright returns for a third season as the voice of The Watcher introducing new stories with Marvel Comics characters. “The 47th Annual Kennedy Center Honors” (CBS): Hosted by Queen Latifah, this year’s honorees include The Grateful Dead, director Francis Ford Coppola, singer-songwriter Bonnie Raitt, the Apollo Theater, and Cuban trumpeter Arturo Sandoval (who is bringing his “Swinging Holiday” concert to Walt Disney Concert Hall on Dec. 23).
Dec. 23 – “2024 Back That Year Up with Kevin Hart & Kenan Thompson” (Peacock): The two comics team up once more for a hilarious look at what has transpired over the last 365 days. “Live with Kelly & Mark” (ABC): Mary J. Blige “Get Millie Black” (HBO/MAX): This mystery set in Jamaica has been a revelation.
Dec. 24 – “Christmas with Andrea Bocelli and Friends: A Grammy Holiday Special” (CBS): With Jennifer Hudson, Dua Lipa, Sofia Carson, and Josh Groban.
Dec. 25 – “Blended Christmas (BET+): A newlywed bride’s honeymoon plans get derailed when she takes in her husband’s ex-wife and kids, with an angel’s guidance helping them become a family. With Jennifer Freeman (“The Black Hamptons,” “My Wife and Kids”) and Victoria Rowell (“The Young and the Restless”). “Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade” (ABC/Disney+): Hosted by Alfonso Ribiero and Julianne Hough with performances by John Legend, Anika Noni Rose, Elton John, Pentatonix and more. “Christmas Gameday” (Netflix): Ravens vs. Texans with a halftime performance by Beyoncé.
Dec. 26 – “Squid Game: Season 2” (Netflix): The hottest binging phenomenon from three years ago is back with the winning Player 456 returning to dive into the mysterious life-or-death game with new participants gathered to win the prize of 45.6 billion. Director Hwang Dong-hyuk, who made history at the 74th Primetime Emmys becoming the first Asian to win Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series, once again helms the series as director, writer and producer. “The Year: 2024” (ABC): This annual two-hour primetime tradition gives viewers a look at the most iconic and memorable moments of the year.
END QUOTE: “There is always a way and always hope in the next sunrise, and in the next second, and in the next minute.” – ZIGGY MARLEY
As featured in the Los Angeles Wave and Independent, Tasty Clips is one of the leading entertainment columns in the nation, serving nearly one million weekly readers. Bill Vaughan may be reached attastyclips@yahoo.com, via Twitter @tastyclips, or Instagram @tasty_clips.
