Sulayman Tahir's captivating thriller "Peripheral" and Coke Daniels' vibrant urban drama "The Waterboyz" emerged victorious at this year's Best of ABFF Awards, a glittering ceremony held on Saturday at the esteemed American Black Film Festival. Hosted by the charismatic Dondré Whitfield, the festival honored exceptional talent across various categories, including narrative and documentary features, series, and the prestigious HBO Short Film Award showcase.
The festival, which took place from June 12 to 16 in the vibrant Miami Beach, Florida, was followed by a virtual segment spanning June 17 to 24 on ABFF PLAY. It was a celebration of Black cinema at its finest, highlighting the creativity and diversity of African-American filmmakers.
"Peripheral," which made its world premiere at the festival, is a haunting tale of a woman whose husband mysteriously disappears after moving into their new home. As he returns, strange and paranormal events begin to unfold, leaving her on a perilous journey to uncover the truth. Directed by the talented Tahir, the film was awarded the Best Narrative Feature, a testament to its captivating narrative and powerful performances.
"The Waterboyz," another world premiere at the festival, follows the intersecting lives of two young men in the streets of Atlanta. One strives for a legitimate livelihood, while the other seeks to wreak havoc and rule the streets. Starring Akil McDowell, Alani "La La" Anthony, Quavo, Omar Dorsey, and Rockmond Dunbar, the film showcases Daniels' impeccable directorial skills and writing prowess. Daniels was honored with the Best Director award for his visionary work on the film.
Produced by Daniels, Errol Sadler, John Doherty, Tirrell D. Whittley, and Cameron S. Mitchell, "The Waterboyz" was executive produced by a star-studded team including Dolapo Erinkitola, Coach K., Pee Thomas, Ben Crump, and Brian Sher. The film's dynamic storyline and compelling performances make it a standout among the festival's offerings, further enhancing the legacy of African-American cinema.
The esteemed HBO Short Film Award showcase, a coveted accolade among the festival's honors, was proudly awarded to writer-director Huriyyah Muhammad for her captivating film, "Chocolate With Sprinkles." This short film delves into the intricate dynamics of a married couple locked in a perpetual spat, as they strive to rekindle their union on their 25th wedding anniversary.
"This year's Best of ABFF Awards shines a spotlight on an exceptional array of emerging Black talent, and we are ecstatic to showcase their remarkable work to our esteemed audience," enthused Nicole Friday, the president of Nice Crowd. "We are thrilled to welcome Huriyyah Muhammad, one of the five illustrious Black female directors featured in this year's HBO Short Film Award showcase, to the esteemed ranks of artists like Ryan Coogler, Reinaldo Marcus Green, Rashaad Ernesto Green, Frank E. Flowers, and Steven Caple Jr., who have been honored with this prestigious award throughout our 27-year journey."
ABFF, a qualifying festival for the Academy Awards' short film categories, has proudly hosted the HBO and Warner Bros. Discovery sponsored-award for a glorious 27 years. This esteemed award also comes with a generous $10,000 cash prize, a testament to the exceptional talent and creativity it recognizes.
The 2024 Jury Award winners are as follows:
Best Narrative Feature (Presented by Walmart): “Peripheral,” directed by Sulayman Tahir, written by Tahir and Jordan Tortorello
Best Actor (Presented by Ally Financial): Vince Washington (“Young King”)
Best Director (Presented by Cadillac): Coke Daniels (“The Waterboyz”)
Best Documentary: “Train: The Dick Night Tran Lane Story,” directed by Eric “Ptah” Herbert
Best Series (Presented by Comcast NBCUniversal’s Black Experience on Xfinity): “Unsolicited,” written by Barshae Lowery, produced by Lowery, Aysia Moore and Chazitear Martin
HBO Short Film Award Showcase Winner (Presented by HBO and Warner Bros. Discovery): “Chocolate With Sprinkles,” written and directed by Huriyyah Muhammad
