*Angela Bassett season continues.
“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” is the gift that keeps on giving to Bassett, as she continues to receive accolades for her performance in the film.
On Wednesday, March 1st, the African American Film Critics Association held its 14th award ceremony. Some of the evening’s recipients included Bassett for Best Supporting Actress, Danielle Deadwyler for Best Actress for ‘Till’, Gina Prince-Bythewood for Best Director for ‘The Woman King’, Jeremy Pope for Best Actor for ‘The Inspection’, Antoine Fuqua and Will Smith for The Beacon Award for ‘Emancipation’, Jalyn Hall for Emerging Face for ‘Till’ and ‘Bruiser’ and ‘The Woman King’ for Best Picture.
Speaking with Bassett on the carpet, the actress shared what she would tell her younger self, stating: “I’m glad you had a dream. An impossible dream and you held on to it. Because you made that impossible dream come true.”
Will Smith made his first in-person speech at an awards ceremony since the 2022 #Oscars incident with Chris Rock
Smith accepted the Beacon Award at the African American Film Critics Association Awards
Watch the full speech below! More here: https://t.co/yoYdyyUSmx pic.twitter.com/TSLKdLUH7Y
— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) March 2, 2023
Bassett also noted what she learned most about herself by playing Queen Ramonda in the “Black Panther” franchise.
“I’m believable as a queen,” Bassett said.
Director Ryan Coogler, in attendance as a presenter, spoke highly of Bassett and Michael B. Jordan, two of Hollywood’s biggest stars both of whom he’s had the opportunity of working with on multiple projects.
“Michael and Angela, they’ve been working since before I met them,” Coogler said. “I been watching their stuff since before I know I wanted to do this. To be able to be around and be a small part of their story, I feel very fortunate.”
Actor Jalyn Hall, who portrayed Emmett Till in the film “Till”– based on the tragic murder of a 14-year-old Emmett Till, was honored with the Emerging Face award.
Hall spoke on helping bring the real-life tragic story of Emmett Till to the forefront for younger generations, stating that the film is “educational more than that it’s enlightening.”
Best Director went to Gina Prince-Bythewood for her “The Woman King” which also took home Best Picture.
“I feel like I’ve learned from every film, but I also know there’s a direct tie between from ‘Love & Basketball’ to this [‘The Woman King’],” Bythewood said. “To have this film that literally has been the film I’ve been dreaming about doing my whole career. As hard as this film was not only to get made but to make, being honored with Best Director I feel like is honoring the film, honoring the work.”
Check our coverage of the event below.
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