Sunday, the 18th Annual American Black Film Festival wrapped its lengthy four-day celebration of black film with "The Best of the ABFF" Awards presentation. The competition was stiff, but with entries all worthy of praise, each win marked the esteemed level of greatness that ABFF prides itself in finding. Although films like Cru stood out from the competition and walked away with five ABFF awards, everyone who graced the stage shined in ways that hinted to a fabulous array of stories and faces of color set to diversify and invade Hollywood.
Below is a full list of “The Best of ABFF” Winners.
HBO SHORT FILM AWARD
Muted
Written by Brandi Ford, Directed by Rachel Goldberg
GRAND JURY AWARD FOR BEST DOCUMENTARY, presented by CNN Films
25 To Life
Directed by Mike L. Brown
STAR PROJECT WINNERS, presented by NBCUniversal
Female: Kimberley D. Mitchell
Male: Stefan Dezil
UP Faith and Family Screenplay Competition
Island in the Sun
Written by Christopher Brandt
Webisode Challenge Award Winner
Close Friends
Created by Ricky W. Jean-Francois and Mckinson Souverain
ABFF Audience Award, presented by Nielsen (Tie)
Cru
Produced by Danny Green, Courtney Triggs and Matthew Hatchette
And
Una Vida
Produced by Richie Adams, Brent Caballero, Nicolas Bazan and Nancy Green-Keyes
Grand Jury Award for Best Actress, presented by Gentle Treatment
Aunjanue Ellis – Una Vida
Grand Jury Award for Best Actor, presented by UPTOWN magazine
Keith Robinson – Cru
Grand Jury Award for Best Screenplay, presented by the Time Warner Foundation
Cru
Written by Alton Glass & Oliver W. Ottley III
Grand Jury Award for Best Director, presented by Cadillac
Cru
Directed by Alton Glass
Grand Jury Award for Best Narrative Feature, presented by BET Networks
Cru
Produced by Danny Green, Courtney Triggs, Matthew Hatchette
