Oscar-nominated actor of the festival film Knucklehead lauded on February 13
January 26, 2016, TORONTO – Award-winning actor Alfre Woodard (12 Years A Slave, Steel Magnolias) will receive the 2016 Toronto Black Film Festival’s inaugural Career Achievement Award on Saturday, February 13, 2016, 9PM at Jackman Hall, Art Gallery of Ontario (317 Dundas Street W.). #TBFF16, created by the Fabienne Colas Foundation and presented by Global News in collaboration with TD Bank, is thrilled to recognize her body of work.
Woodard has won four Emmys, three SAG Awards, one Golden Globe, two Independent Spirit Awards and was nominated for an Academy Award™ for her role in Cross Creek.
“Alfre Woodard is an exceptionally talented, accomplished actor,” said Fabienne Colas, President and Founder of TBFF. “In a year when everyone’s talking about the film industry’s habit of not celebrating black talent, we are proud to honour a true trailblazer.”
The award ceremony will precede the international premiere of the film Knucklehead, directed by Ben Bowman and staring Woodard. Following the screening, audience members will get a chance to participate in a Q&A session with the actor, along with the director and lead actor Gbenga Akinnagbe.
Woodard is available for advance phone interviews on January 28 and February 9. She is available for in-person interviews the afternoon of February 13.
The fourth annual TBFF, created by the Fabienne Colas Foundation and presented by Global News in collaboration with TD Bank, runs February 10 – 14 and presents 44 films from 20 countries.
OTHER TALENT ATTENDING #TBFF16 INCLUDE:
Director Ernest Nkosi and actor Thato Dhladla from the #TBFF16 opening film Thina Sobabili (The Two of Us) will attend the red carpet event at the Isabel Bader Theatre on February 10.
Christmas Wedding Baby – Kiara C. Jones (director)
Somewhere in the Middle – Lanre Olabisi (director)
White Water – Rusty Cundieff (director)
The Flying Stars – Ngardy Conteh (director), Allan Tong (director)
Soul on Ice: past, present and future – Kwame Mason (director)
Eavesdropping on Souls – Jacqueline Jean-Baptiste (director)
Wes – Samuel Lehner (director), Wes Hall (documentary subject)
Chameleon – Jude Idada (director)
First Date Last Date – Derege Harding (director)
Muna – Lekeeya Kinghorn (director)
Calm – Kwame Lestrade (director)
Meet the Parents – Lonzo Nzekwe (director), Church Chizzle (actor), Nikole Gabriel (actor), Justice Emeni (actor), Tanika Hillocks (actor)http://, Juan Rodriguez (actor)
Run Fast – Anna Musso (director)
The Township – Eric Dickens (director), Karmia Berry (actor), Pierre Downing (actor)
Ripples – Nadine Valcin (director)
The Gift – Esery Mondésir (director)
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Founded by the Fabienne Colas Foundation, TBFF is dedicated to celebrating the very best in cinematic work dealing with the experiences of black people from a diversity of communities. Our mandate is to provide an opportunity for filmmakers from all ethnic backgrounds to shine the spotlight on authentic stories that reflect the realities of black experiences. Along with its sister festival, the Montreal International Black Film Festival (now in its 12thyear), TBFF showcases new voices in cinema and encourages audiences to see the world in new ways. In connecting black films with diverse audiences, we recognize the differences that make us unique while celebrating the shared values that bring us together.
