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Jet, July 22, 2002

Mekhi Phifer and Ruth E. Carter recently were honored at the Sixth Annual American Black Film Festival (ABFF) during its ABFF Awards Show.

The event, presented by Lincoln, was co-hosted by actor-filmmaker Robert Townsend and "Access Hollywood" co-anchor Shaun Robinson at the Jackie Gleason Theatre in South Beach, FL.

Actor Mekhi Phifer received the ABFF Rising Star Award. Famed actor Delroy Lindo presented Phifer with the honor.

Phifer's work includes the TV movies A Lesson Before Dying, The Tuskegee Airmen, Brian's Song and Carmen: A Hip Hopera. His film credits include Clockers, O and I Still Know What You Did Last Summer.

Oscar-nominated costume designer Ruth E. Carter received the Career Achievement Award-Female for her contribution to the world of costume design and motion pictures. Filmmaker John Singleton and actress Sanaa Lathan presented Carter with her honor.

Carter's work has included costume design for Amistad, Malcolm X, Mo Better Blues, Crooklyn and What's Love Got To Do With It.

Townsend was surprised with the Career Achievement-Male award for his work. He has worked on such TV movies as 10,000 Black Men Named George, The Natalie Cole Story and Little Richard. His other works include "The Parent Hood," Meteor Man and The Five Heartbeats.

The Riff, directed and written by Mark Alien, and starring Antonio Fargas and Nia Peebles, won the Lincoln Filmmaker Trophy Award. The HBO Short Film Award went to Quest To Ref, directed and written by Benjamin Watkins, who also appeared in the film. Civil Brand, directed by Emmy winner Neema Barnette, won the Blockbuster Audience Award for Best Feature Film. The Audience Award for Best Performance by an Actress went to Monica Calhoun for her work in Pandora's Box. Clifton Powell won the Audience Award for Best Actor for Best Performance by an Actor for his work in Civil Brand.

The ABFF was formerly known as the Acapulco Black Film Festival. It is the premier international event dedicated to creating opportunities for emerging filmmakers and acknowledging the innovative work of independent filmmakers and industry pioneers. The five-day festival features independent films, panels, workshops and entertainment. It also features acclaimed filmmaker Bill Duke's Actors Boot Camp. More than 35 films, including eight world premieres, will be presented from more than 260 feature length and short film entries.

Founded by Byron E. Lewis Sr. in 1997, the mission of the ABFF is to redefine, discover and honor artistic excellence in Black cinema.

Past honorees have included Denzel Washington, Halle Berry, Morgan Freeman, Pam Grier, Debbie Allen and John Singleton.