The actor and producer will be celebrated for his achievements across film, television and live entertainment at the February ceremony
The American Black Film Festival Honors has named Dwayne Johnson as the recipient of its Entertainment Icon Award, recognizing the actor and producer’s remarkable impact across multiple entertainment platforms. The announcement came Monday as the festival revealed its lineup of honorees for the 2026 ceremony scheduled to take place February 16 at the SLS hotel in Beverly Hills, California.
The intimate, non-televised dinner will gather ABFF honorees and festival partners for an evening celebrating Black excellence in entertainment. Presented by NICE CROWD, the eighth annual event continues the festival’s tradition of highlighting artists who have made significant contributions to American entertainment while championing diversity and inclusion in Hollywood.
The meaning behind the honor
The Entertainment Icon Award specifically recognizes multitalented artists who have achieved exceptional commercial success across television, film and live performance. Johnson’s selection reflects a career trajectory that spans from sports entertainment to becoming one of global cinema’s most bankable stars, with his films generating more than $14 billion at the worldwide box office.
NICE CROWD CEO and President Jeff Friday and Nicole Friday expressed their enthusiasm for honoring Johnson. They described him as embodying the power of perseverance, authenticity and charisma while noting his evolution from a sports entertainment career to extraordinary success in film and television has made him one of the most influential figures in global culture.
An impressive roster of fellow honorees
Johnson joins several other distinguished recipients at the 2026 ABFF Honors. Jennifer Hudson, host of The Jennifer Hudson Show, will receive the Renaissance Award for her powerhouse talent and contributions to entertainment. The award recognizes artists who have demonstrated versatility and continued relevance across different phases of their careers.
Salli Richardson-Whitfield, a trailblazing director and executive producer, will be honored with the Evolution Award. This recognition celebrates her work behind the camera and her role in creating opportunities for diverse voices in the industry.
Damson Idris, the critically acclaimed actor, will receive the Horizon Award, which typically recognizes emerging talent making significant impacts early in their careers. His performances have garnered attention from critics and audiences alike, positioning him as one of the industry’s rising stars.
A special tribute to cinematic achievement
The evening will also pay tribute to the creative team behind the motion picture Sinners. The film represents an extraordinary achievement from acclaimed filmmakers Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler and Sev Ohanian, starring Michael B. Jordan. This special recognition highlights the festival’s commitment to celebrating contemporary Black cinema that pushes artistic boundaries.
New York Times best-selling author and award-winning comedian KevOnStage will host the ceremony, bringing his signature humor and cultural perspective to the proceedings.
Johnson’s current and upcoming projects
Through his production company Seven Bucks Productions, Johnson maintains an ambitious slate of projects. He stars in and produced A24’s The Smashing Machine and is currently filming the next installment of the Jumanji franchise. Disney’s live-action Moana will soon showcase his return to one of his most beloved roles.
Future projects include reuniting with Benny Safdie for Lizard Music and starring in Martin Scorsese’s Hawaii-set crime drama alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and Emily Blunt. The film draws from a book Johnson is co-authoring about Wilford Nappy Pulawa, recognized as the first and only Hawaiian mob boss. Additional upcoming work includes A24 and Darren Aronofsky’s psychological thriller Breakthrough.
Among Johnson’s most celebrated roles are Luke Hobbs in the Fast & Furious franchise and Maui in Disney’s Moana films. Moana 2 recently surpassed $1 billion globally, demonstrating the enduring appeal of both the franchise and Johnson’s voice performance.
The festival’s legacy
ABFF Honors stems from the American Black Film Festival, which Jeff Friday founded in 1997. The festival has established itself as the leading showcase for Black storytelling, premiering work and encouraging careers of many successful contemporary filmmakers and actors. Since its inception, ABFF has championed Friday’s conviction that Black artists deserve equal opportunities as their mainstream counterparts.
The honors ceremony, founded in 2016, serves as the festival’s annual awards season gala dedicated to recognizing excellence in motion pictures and television. Through the years, it has become an important moment during awards season for celebrating achievements often overlooked by mainstream recognition.
Current sponsors for the 2026 event include Ally as presenting sponsor, Sony Pictures Entertainment as supporting sponsor, and SLS Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel in Beverly Hills, as contributing sponsor.
Information provided by American Black Film Festival publicity materials