The American Black Film Festival to Honor Lena Waithe and Louis Gossett, Jr.

The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) Honors announced today the recipients of two of their most prominent awards - Hollywood Legacy Award and Industry Renaissance Award - which each honor outstanding accomplishments in film and television. Academy AwardⓇ winner Louis Gossett, Jr. ("Watchmen," "An Officer and a Gentleman") will be honored with the Hollywood Legacy Award for his contributions to the entertainment industry. The Hollywood Legacy Award honors a legendary artist whose trailblazing work has inspired generations and made an enduring contribution to film and television. Additionally, EmmyⓇ Award-winning producer, writer, and actor, Lena Waithe ("The Chi," "Boomerang," "Queen & Slim") will receive the prestigious Industry Renaissance Award, which recognizes content creators whose exemplary work in film and television contributes to changing perceptions of people of color in the entertainment industry.

"We're honored to celebrate these two extraordinary talents," said ABFF Ventures CEO, Jeff Friday. "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."

Louis Gossett Jr. has been disrupting Hollywood for over 40 years making his film debut alongside Sidney Poitier in the 1961 classic "A Raisin in the Sun." Gossett Jr. was the first African American to win an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his unforgettable performance as drill Sergeant Emil Foley in "An Officer and a Gentleman." Additionally, he has been nominated for seven Primetime Emmy Awards, three Golden GlobeⓇ Awards, five NAACP Images Awards, two Daytime Emmy Awards and in 1992 he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Other notable film and television credits include "The Deep," "Blue Chips," "Daddy's Little Girls," Tyler Perry's "Why Did I Get Married Too?," "Firewalker," "Jaws-3D," "Enemy Mine,""Iron Eagle," "Extant," "Madam Secretary," "Boardwalk Empire," "Family Guy," and "ER," among others. Gossett Jr. is the founder of The Eracism Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to eradicating racism.

A triple-threat in the entertainment industry, Lena Waithe expertly taps into emerging cultural sensibilities with a sharp wit, speaking to a myriad of experiences from her unique perspective and challenging audiences to think outside of conventional norms. She has become a champion for underserved voices in the industry, creating writing and development opportunities for people of color as well as promoting diversity and representation on the screen through her production company, Hillman Grad. Currently, she serves as a writer and executive producer of two BET shows: the new series "Twenties" which is based off her own early years in LA and the second season of the "Boomerang" revival which she created alongside Halle Berry. Both shows are set to air in early 2020. Waithe has also received critical acclaim for creating Showtime's "The Chi,'' which will debut its third season this year. Waithe has proven herself a talent to be reckoned with, continuing to grow her body of work which includes: an overall deal to create and produce original series for Amazon Prime Video; Showtime's "How To Make Love to a Black Woman," which she will executive produce; the groundbreaking film, "The 40-Year-Old Version," which is premiering at Sundance 2020; the horror anthology series "Them" for Amazon; and Sundance darling "Dear White People," among others. Waithe first made headlines in front of the camera as Denise, in the critically acclaimed Netflix series "Master of None." In a role that was originally intended for a straight, Caucasian female, Waithe has made Denise's experience as a queer black woman uniquely her own and became the first woman of color to win an Emmy award in the category of "Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series." Waithe's feature screenwriting debut, "Queen & Slim," is also nominated for ABFF Honors "Movie of the Year" Award.

ABFF Honors recently announced their nominees for "Movie of the Year," a competitive award presented to the best feature length film of the year directed by and/or starring a lead actor or actress of African descent. Voting is now open to the public at www.ABFFHonors.com/vote. And for the second year, American Airlines will sponsor the ABFF Honors "VIP Fan Experience," which is an opportunity for one consumer to attend this exclusive event and celebrate Black excellence among the most influential artists, executives, and stakeholders in the entertainment industry. One fan will be randomly selected by the ABFF organization from the pool of individuals who vote for the "Movie of the Year", and receive two (2) tickets for the ceremony, two (2) round trip domestic economy-class tickets on American Airlines, hotel accommodations and a chance to walk the "red carpet" on the night of the ceremony. The announcement will be made on or about January 20, 2020.

Presented by ABFF Ventures, the 2020 ABFF Honors, hosted by Emmy-nominated comedian and actor Deon Cole (Black-ish), will take place February 23 in Los Angeles. Previously announced honorees include Cynthia Erivo with the Rising Star Award and "The Wire" with the Classic Television Award. Sponsors to date include American Airlines, Cadillac and Hilton (Red Carpet), Accenture, Prudential Financial and Sony Pictures Entertainment (Supporting).

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