Voting rights activist and former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams will be honored at the 2021 Tribeca Film Festival. During the festival’s Juneteenth celebration, Abrams will receive the inaugural Harry Belafonte Voices for Social Justice Award. The newly created award honors those who inspire change through storytelling.
“We are proud to salute the brilliant and inspiring actor, activist and friend, Harry Belafonte with this award created in his honor,” Tribeca Film Festival Chief Content Officer Paula Weinstein told The Hollywood Reporter.
“We are in awe of Stacey Abrams and her amazing work and unwavering commitment to fighting on behalf of our democracy and against injustices. We are thrilled for her to be the first recipient to begin the legacy of this award.”
In addition to honoring Abrams, the festival will also feature its first “Black Filmmaker Foundation” panel. The event will feature Jelani Cobb, Kasi Lemmons, Melina Matsoukas and Ruben Santiago-Hudson discussing representation in film, the power of storytelling and much more.
“The festival has always been a welcoming space for creators to share their stories and in support of artists through social activism. I’m proud that this June, as part of our 20th anniversary, our programming is a powerful reflection of incredible storytellers that are deeply rooted in showcasing the rich legacy of the Black experience, all culminating on Juneteenth,” Tribeca Film Festival CEO Jane Rosenthal added.
The 2021 Tribeca Festival will run from June 9th through June 20th in New York.
Celebrate Black voices at #TribecaFestival with specially curated Juneteenth programming & a celebration honoring @stacyabrams. With talks featuring @melinamatsoukas, @GPBmadeit, and @octarell, and an immersive tribute to Breonna Taylor. See more at: https://t.co/kTa96bFmml pic.twitter.com/JLDJazsl8e
— Tribeca (@Tribeca) May 13, 2021
