LOS ANGELES, CA – (FNN) – The 7th American Black Film Festival (ABFF) Honors announced today the honorees of its annual awards ceremony recognizing excellence in the motion picture and television industry. Presented by NICE CROWD, the 2025 ABFF Honors will take place on Monday, February 17 at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA, hosted by actress and comedian Zainab Johnson. The intimate, non-televised dinner will feature ABFF honorees and festival partners.

The 2025 ABFF Honors recipients are:

Excellence in the Arts Award (Female) – Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor An Oscar-nominated actress, acclaimed for her portrayal of Oracene Price in King Richard, which earned her numerous awards and nominations. Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor will soon star in the adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel Nickel Boys. This award recognizes a highly acclaimed artist for their body of work and distinguished career achievements.

Excellence in the Arts Award (Male) – Giancarlo Esposito An Emmy-nominated and award-winning actor, director, and producer, celebrated for his iconic role as Gustavo “Gus” Fring in Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul. Giancarlo Esposito has earned multiple accolades including Critics’ Choice and NAACP Image Awards. This award recognizes a highly acclaimed artist for their body of work and distinguished career achievement.

Renaissance Award – Keke Palmer An Emmy award-winning multihyphenate entertainer, Keke Palmer (Nope, Turnt Up With the Taylors) is a singer/songwriter, producer, author, television host, and passionate voice of the millennial generation. This award is presented to a trendsetting content creator in recognition of their outstanding work and commitment to championing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the motion picture and television industry through their work.

“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. This year is particularly special as we welcome Zainab Johnson as the host of the ABFF Honors, celebrating her inspiring journey from winning the 2013 ABFF Comedy Wings Competition to now leading this incredible celebration. We look forward to recognizing their remarkable achievements and coming together with our amazing ABFF community to honor their lasting impact.”

Impact of ABFF: The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) Honors is a celebration of Black excellence in film and television, providing a vital platform for Black creators, performers, and artists. By recognizing industry leaders and trailblazers, the ABFF not only highlights their achievements but also encourages diversity and inclusion within the entertainment industry. Honoring industry icons such as Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Giancarlo Esposito, and Keke Palmer emphasizes the importance of representation and inspires future generations of storytellers. The event also serves as a key networking opportunity for industry professionals, furthering the ABFF’s mission to promote Black talent on and off-screen.

About the Honorees:

Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor is an Oscar-nominated actress, acclaimed for her portrayal of Oracene Price in King Richard, which earned her numerous awards and nominations. She will soon star in the adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel Nickel Boys. She recently appeared in Exhibiting Forgiveness, The Supremes at Earl’s All You Can Eat with Uzo Aduba and Sanaa Lathan, and Ava DuVernay’s Origin, earning praise for her role as Isabel Wilkerson. On television, she starred in Justified: City Primeval, earned Emmy nods for When They See Us and Lovecraft Country, and received accolades for The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel. Her celebrated body of work also includes If Beale Street Could Talk, The Birth of a Nation, The Help, and the award-winning miniseries The Book of Negroes.

Giancarlo Esposito, an Emmy-nominated and award-winning actor, director, and producer, is celebrated for his iconic role as Gustavo “Gus” Fring in Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul. He has earned multiple accolades including Critics’ Choice and NAACP Image Awards. Known for his versatility, he stars as Moff Gideon in Disney+’s The Mandalorian, Stan Edgar in Amazon Prime’s The Boys, and has led projects like Netflix’s Kaleidoscope and AMC’s Parish. Esposito’s filmography includes The Usual Suspects, Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing, Beauty, and Megalopolis. Upcoming projects include Captain America: Brave New World, the Russo Brothers’ The Electric State, and Shonda Rhimes’ The Residence. He continues to captivate audiences across film, television, and streaming platforms with his powerful performances and remarkable range.

Keke Palmer is a multi-Emmy Award-winning actress and television host, singer/songwriter, producer, NY Times best-selling author, and a passionate voice of the millennial generation. She rose to fame at 12 with her breakout role in Akeelah and the Bee and has since starred in over 25 films and 30 TV shows, including True Jackson, VP. Recently, Keke Palmer starred in Jordan Peele’s blockbuster Nope and hosted NBC’s Password with Jimmy Fallon, earning the 2023 Emmy for Outstanding Host for a Game Show. As CEO of KeyTV and Big Bosses Entertainment, she champions diverse creators and democratizes entertainment. Palmer has made history as the youngest SAG-nominated actress in a lead role, the first Black Cinderella on Broadway, and the youngest talk show host in history, continuing to break barriers across her remarkable career.