Ryan Miningham’s redemption tale Blue and Llewellyn Smith’s documentary Herskovits At The Heart Of Blackness took top jury honours at the 10th Annual Hollywood Black Film Festival (HBFF).

Lucky Ejim’s deportation drama The Tenant took the top audience prize, while Morocco Omari’s (Mis)Leading Manwas named best short film.

Ralph Jeffrey Elmont’s student short The Second Half was also honoured. First place in the HBFF Storyteller Competition went to Good Mother written by Cassie Henderson of Tallahassee, Florida.

New York City’s Robyn Hatcher came second with Born To Pitch and Dapo Adeshiyan of Piscataway, New Jersey, came third with Far Away From Here.

All in all 102 films screened in Beverly Hills from June 2-7. HBFF founder and executive director Tanya Kersey said the award winners reflected “the full breadth of talent, diversity, and evolution of independent black film.”

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