The organisers of the 8th American Black Film Festival (ABFF) Honors have announced that actor, producer, and global entertainment figure Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson will receive the Entertainment Icon Award at next year’s ceremony.
The 2026 edition, presented by Nice Crowd, is scheduled for Monday, February 16, 2026, at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. The exclusive, non-televised dinner will host honorees, industry leaders, and festival partners in an intimate setting.
The Entertainment Icon Award recognises a versatile artist whose career demonstrates exceptional success across multiple entertainment platforms, including film, television, and live performance, a standard Johnson has met through decades of accomplishments.
This year’s ceremony will also honour Jennifer Hudson with the Renaissance Award, celebrate director and executive producer Salli Richardson-Whitfield with the Evolution Award, and spotlight acclaimed actor Damson Idris with the Horizon Award.
In addition, ABFF Honors will present a special tribute to the creative team behind the motion picture Sinners — an ambitious work from filmmakers Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, and Sev Ohanian, starring Michael B. Jordan. The event will be hosted by New York Times best-selling author and award-winning comedian KevOnStage.
Nice Crowd co-founders Jeff Friday and Nicole Friday described Johnson as the embodiment of an entertainment icon. “From his trailblazing career in sports entertainment to his extraordinary success in film and television, he has become one of the most influential and beloved figures in global culture,” they said, noting that his journey reflects perseverance, authenticity, and charisma, core values the festival seeks to uplift.
ABFF Honors serves as the American Black Film Festival’s annual awards-season gala, dedicated to celebrating outstanding achievements in film and television.
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