Film Life's 14th annual American Black Film Festival (ABFF) announced the winners of their independent film awards at the Lincoln Theatre on June 26, 2010. The event was hosted by director Robert Townsend.

With HBO as the festival's founding and title sponsor, the ABFF is the premier international marketplace for films that showcase the best new work by and about people of African descent.

The Grand Jury Prize for Best Film was handed to 'Legacy,' directed by Thomas Ikimi. The award was presented by actress Rochelle Aytes and Jason Williams, Regional Managing Director of Wealth Management for Wachovia, a Wells Fargo Company, the winner receives film stock valued at $5000.

Starring Idris Elba, the film centers on a Black Ops operative Malcolm Gray (played by Elba) returns home after a botched mission in Eastern Europe. Holed up in a Brooklyn motel room, he is torn between retribution and personal salvation as he mentally unravels. When the walls close in, his story may be all he can leave behind.

The Grand Jury Prize for Best Performance by an Actor was given to Golden Brooks for her performance in 'The Inheritance.' The award was presented by actress Jazsmin Lewis and Mark Pitts, VP and General Manager of Coffee and Tea for Coco-Cola. Prize includes $5000 sponsored by Gold Peak Tea.

With Robert O'Hara making his directorial debut and the film being produced by Effie T. Brown and her production company, Duly Noted Inc., the story centers on family friends (played by Golden Brooks, Darrin Dewitt Henson, Rochelle Aytes, Shawn Michael Howard, and D.B Woodside) who gather during a winter storm for a 'secret' reunion at the family estate. The connection to their tortured history is one of only passing fascination. The reunion turns deadly when the elders have to make good on an ancient pact with a spirit of an ancestor. Now, it's this generation's turn to make the ultimate sacrifice. It is their duty and their destiny, but they won't give up without a fight to survive.

The HBO Short Film Award was given to 'Stag and Dow,' which was directed by Daniel Patterson and John Staley. The award was presented by Olivia Smashum, HBO and Tamara Tunie (Law and Order: SVU.)

'Stag and Doe' is the story of Christian and Camille on the eve of their wedding night. With the promise of "forever" looming, Camille presents Christian with a unique proposition: one last "freebie" before the wedding, on the condition she gets to do the same.. What will they decide?

This year's HBO Star Project two grand-prize winners are Emayatzy Corinealdi of Los Angeles and Stephen Hill of New York. The award was presented by writer/producer/director Gina Prince-Bythewood. Star Project is an international acting competition for emerging multicultural artists.

Emayatzy Corinealdi has played a range of characters, from a naive and tough teenager in the cable pilot Katrina, to an over-zealous and independent divorcee in indie flick Cordially Invited. Her latest projects include an episode of the ABC show 'Romantically Challenged;' independent films entitled 'Legend of The Black Lotu's and 'The Dating Game' of which the short version has been chosen as an official selection for the Cannes Film Festival.

Stephen Hill is noted as a genuine talent with onscreen charisma. He receives positive industry nods from Susan Batson (Black Nexxus Inc.) NYU Graduate Film, HBO/HBO Sports, the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) and Adcolor, among others.

In celebration of his success, and in recognition of his great talent, Oscar nominated director Lee Daniels was given the Career Achievement Award at the festival's culminating event, ABFF Honors.

Past honorees have included Spike Lee and Melvin Van Peebles.

The first annual national 'Rising Icons' award was given to the talented Def Jam R&B singer Chrisette Michele. Sponsored by Grey Goose vodka, the award was presented to her by Julious Grant, Senior Vice President of Bacardi USA.

'Rising Icons' is a TV series on BET network honoring the spirit of musical excellence by recognizing the world's most influential newfound artists.

The festival brought out hundreds of filmgoers and credit goes to Jeff Friday, CEO of Film Life and founder of the American Black Film Festival and to the staff that helped make the event a success.