ATLANTA FILM FESTIVAL UNVEILS 2026 AWARD HONOREES FOR LANDMARK 50TH ANNIVERSARY

Will Packer, Josh Brolin, Carrie Preston, Danielle Brooks, David Cross, Mckenna Grace,

Hilton Howell, Alex Orr, RZA and Georgia Entertainment to Be Honored at Festival Events

Including the Annual IMAGE Awards Gala

ATLANTA, GA (April 14, 2026) — Today, the 2026 Atlanta Film Festival announced the special award recipients at the milestone 50th anniversary event, which will take place from Thursday, April 23 -Sunday, May 3, 2026. The awards will be presented at the festival’s IMAGE Film Awards Gala at Assembly Atlanta on Friday, May 1, 2026, as well as at special screenings and events throughout the 11-day festival. Honorees who will be recognized at the Gala for their outstanding contributions to film and television and their impact on the creative community include: blockbuster producer Will Packer (Fight

Night: The Million Dollar Heist, Girls Trip, Think Like a Man); Academy Award-nominated actor, author and producer Josh Brolin (Milk, Weapons, No Country for Old Men); Emmy Award-winning actress and filmmaker Carrie Preston (Elsbeth, The Good Wife); Emmy winner and 2x Grammy nominee David Cross (Arrested Development, The Umbrella Academy); Emmy Award-nominated and Peabody Award-winning producer Alex Orr (Idiots, Atlanta, Chad Powers) and Chairman of the Board and CEO of Gray Television

and Atlantic American Corporation Hilton Howell.

Named in reference to the organization’s original title—Independent Media Artists of Georgia, Etc. (IMAGE)—the IMAGE Film Award Gala celebrates both the legacy and evolution of the Atlanta Film Society (ATLFS). Since its founding, ATLFS has played a pivotal role in shaping Georgia’s film ecosystem, supporting filmmakers through year-round screenings, education programs, and industry initiatives. At this year’s Gala, Will Packer will receive the Ossie Davis Award, Josh Brolin, Carrie Preston, and Georgia

Entertainment will receive IMAGE Film Awards, and David Cross will receive the Rebel Award.

Also at the Gala, Alex Orr will receive the first-ever Will Packer Award which recognizes achievements in Producing. ATLFF launched the Will Packer Award to commemorate this milestone year for the Festival and celebrate Packer’s cinematic contributions to the city of Atlanta and beyond.

Emmy Award-nominated and Critics Choice Award-nominated actress Mckenna Grace (Scream 7, Regretting You, Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping), Oscar-nominated and Grammy-winning actress and singer Danielle Brooks; and director and writer RZA (Robert F. Diggs) (Cut Throat City, One Spoon of Chocolate) will each accept their honors in conjunction with special festival screenings held at The TaraTheatre. Brooks will receive the New Mavericks award following the screening of her upcoming film If IGo Will They Miss Me. Grace will accept the Phoenix Award following a special Legacy Screening of one

of her films that was produced in the state of Georgia. RZA will accept the Originator Award at a screening of his new film, One Spoon of Chocolate. Additional honorees will participate in a series of accompanying festival events and presentations throughout the festival weekend (full programming details included below.)

“As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Atlanta Film Festival, this year’s honorees represent the extraordinary range of creativity and influence that defines our industry today, from globally recognized talent to artists deeply rooted in Georgia’s thriving production community,” said Christopher Escobar, Festival Director, “Each of these individuals has made a lasting impact not only through their work on screen, but also through their contributions to the broader creative ecosystem. We are proud to recognize them at the IMAGE Film Awards Gala and our special festival screenings as we continue our

mission of championing storytellers and strengthening Atlanta’s role as a leading center for film and television.”

ATLFS continues to serve more than 50,000 audience members annually (including through its flagship program, the Atlanta Film Festival) while supporting over 5,000 participants through its education and community programs. The IMAGE Film Awards Gala remains the organization’s primary fundraising event, helping to expand its impact and further its mission of championing storytellers and strengthening the creative community. To purchase tickets, click here.

Atlanta Film Festival will once again offer a mix of in-person and virtual screenings, with primary venues and full schedule details to be announced. The full schedule of films and events is available at www.atlantafilmfestival.comand through the ATLFF 2026 app. Festival badges and individual tickets are now available for purchase here (badges) and here (individual event tickets).

Applications for press credentials for ATLFF 2026 are now open and can be submitted here.

Award Recipients

Will Packer

● Will Packer | Ossie Davis Award

○ About Will Packer: With a career spanning decades, Packer has built one of the most

commercially successful careers in modern Hollywood having grossed more than $1

billion worldwide at the box office From Girls Trip to Think Like A Man, he is one of the

most prominent and impactful producers in the industry. With his production company,

Will Packer Productions and Will Packer Media, he has centered and elevated Black

actors and stories and played a large role in transforming the city of Atlanta into a major

player for Hollywood.

○ About the Award: The Ossie Davis Award is named after the late actor and activist and

recognizes creative excellence and dynamic contributions to the art of cinema. Previous

honorees include Spike Lee, Kerry Washington, John Sayles & Maggie Renzi, Cicely Tyson,

Keke Palmer and Bill Duke. Packer will receive the award at the IMAGE Awards Gala on

Friday, May 1 at Assembly Atlanta.

○ Event: In Conversation with Will Packer: Stomp the Yard Screening & Q&A

Friday, May 1, 2026, 6:00pm / Tara Theatre

Sylvain White // 2007 // English // 1h 55m

After the death of his brother, an expert street dancer goes to Georgia to attend Truth

University. But his efforts to get an education and woo the girl he likes are sidelined

when he joins in his fraternity's effort to win a step dancing competition.

Josh Brolin

● Josh Brolin | IMAGE Film Award

○ About Josh Brolin: Josh Brolin is an Academy Award–nominated actor whose career

spans a remarkable range of acclaimed films, from independent, character-driven

storytelling to some of the most ambitious global productions of our time. Most

recently, he starred in Rian Johnson’s Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery for

Netflix and in Warner Bros.’ hit horror film Weapons, which he also executive produced.

He will next appear in Ridley Scott’s The Dog Stars and 20th Century’s Whalefall. His

extensive screen credits include Gus Van Sant’s Milk, for which he earned Academy

Award and Screen Actors Guild Award nominations for his portrayal of Dan White; the

Coen Brothers’ True Grit and No Country for Old Men (winner of four Academy Awards,

including Best Picture); Oliver Stone’s W.; Paul Thomas Anderson’s Inherent Vice; Denis

Villeneuve’s Dune and Dune: Part Two; Ridley Scott’s American Gangster; the Sicario

films and the blockbusters Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. He made his

feature film debut in the classic adventure-comedy The Goonies directed by Richard

Donner for producer Steven Spielberg. Through multiple productions filmed in Georgia,

he has played a notable role in elevating Atlanta’s status as a hub for film and television

production.

○ About the Award: The Atlanta Film Society’s IMAGE Film Awards honor individuals,

companies, and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to Georgia’s

film industry and creative community. Previous honorees include industry icons such as

Burt Reynolds, Spike Lee, Parker Posey, Dallas Austin, Tom Luse, and Tip “T.I.” Harris. The

Awards have also recognized leading companies such as Tyler Perry Studios and

Trioscope, nonprofits including BronzeLens Film Festival and Georgia Production

Partnership, and distinguished public leaders such as President Jimmy Carter and

Governor Nathan Deal. Brolin will receive the award at the IMAGE Film Award Gala on

May 1 at Assembly Atlanta.

○ Event: In Conversation with Josh Brolin: Weapons Screening & Q&A

Friday, May 1, 2026, 2:00PM / Plaza Theatre

Zach Cregger // 2025 // English // 2h 8m

When all but one child from the same class mysteriously vanishes on the same night at

exactly the same time, a community is left questioning who or what is behind their

disappearance.

Carrie Preston

● Carrie Preston | IMAGE Film Award

○ About Carrie Preston: Preston’s career reflects a rare balance of artistic versatility,

creative leadership, and a deep-rooted commitment to the communities that shape

independent and regional filmmaking. From her acclaimed, Emmy-winning

performances to her work behind the camera as a director and producer, she has

consistently championed character-driven storytelling that resonates across both

television and film. Her longstanding ties to the Southeast and continued work within

Georgia’s thriving production ecosystem underscore a meaningful connection to the

artists, crews, and institutions that define Atlanta’s creative identity.

○ About the Award: The Atlanta Film Society’s IMAGE Film Awards honor individuals,

companies, and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to Georgia’s

film industry and creative community. Preston will receive the award at the IMAGE Film

Award Gala on May 1 at Assembly Atlanta.

○ Event: That Evening Sun Screening and Q&A with Carrie Preston, Scott Teems, Ray

McKinnon

Saturday, May 2, 2026, 3:30pm / Plaza Theatre

Scott Teems // 2009 // English // 1h 49m

An aging Tennessee farmer returns to his homestead and must confront a family

betrayal, the reappearance of an old enemy, and the loss of his farm.

Danielle Brooks

● Danielle Brooks | New Maverick Award

○ About Danielle Brooks: Danielle Brooks is an Academy Award-nominated actress and a

dynamic force across film, television, and stage. She most recently appeared in

Peacemaker, A Minecraft Movie, and the Sundance-premiering If I Go Will They Miss Me.

Brooks earned widespread acclaim for her portrayal of Sofia in The Color Purple,

receiving nominations from the Academy Awards, Golden Globes, BAFTA, SAG, and

Critics Choice Awards. She is also widely recognized for her breakout role as ‘Taystee’ in

Netflix’s Orange Is the New Black. A Tony Award nominee for her Broadway debut in The

Color Purple, Brooks is a Julliard-trained performer and co-founder of Black Women on

Broadway, continuing to champion powerful storytelling and representation across the

entertainment industry.

○ About the Award: The New Maverick Award honors a defining voice in contemporary

storytelling—an artist whose work reflects bold perspective, cultural impact, and a

commitment to expanding who gets to tell stories and how they are told. Rooted in the

Atlanta Film Festival’s New Mavericks initiative, this award celebrates a woman whose

work challenges convention while creating space for more authentic, inclusive, and fully

realized narratives on screen. Brooks will receive the award at a screening and Q&A for

her new film If I Go Will They Miss Me.

○ Event: If I Go Will They Miss Me Screening with Danielle Brooks

Wednesday, April 29, 2026, 6:30PM / Tara Theatre

Walter Thompson-Hernández // 2026 // English // 1h 32m

Twelve-year-old Lil Ant struggles to connect with his father when he begins to see

surreal, almost spectral visions of boys drifting around his neighborhood. Their presence

reveals a link between father and son, laying bare the threads that bind family, legacy,

and place.

David Cross

● David Cross | Rebel Award

○ About David Cross: Emmy Award-winner and two-time Grammy Award-nominee David

Cross is an acclaimed comedian, actor, writer and producer and one of Georgia’s most

distinctive creative voices with a remarkable body of work across standup comedy, film,

and television. Born in Atlanta, his career stands as a powerful reminder of the caliber of

talent that Georgia can produce. He is best known as the co-creator and star of the

influential HBO sketch series Mr. Show with Bob and David, and for his iconic role of

Tobias Fünke on the Emmy Award-winning series Arrested Development. Cross was also

part of the ensemble cast of The Ben Stiller Show, earning an Emmy Award for writing

early in his career. His latest stand-up special, The End Of The Beginning Of The End,

which was shot at the historic 40 Watt Club in Athens, GA, premiered April 7th

exclusively on YouTube with 800 Pound Gorilla Media and produced by YMH Studios.

○ About the Award: The Rebel Award honors someone who has shunned the typical

industry expectations and paved their own path, in defiance of doubters and naysayers.

This award is inspired by Atlantans who haven’t been afraid to break the mold, speak out

and create change. Previous recipients include Jason Reitman, President Jimmy Carter

and Michael Showalter. Cross will receive the award at the IMAGE Film Awards Gala on

May 1 at Assembly Atlanta.

○ Event: A Live Conversation with David Cross

Friday, May 1, 2026, 5:00PM / Tara Theatre

Fresh off the April 7th release of his 9th stand-up comedy special The End of the

Beginning of the End, shot at the historic 40 Watt Club in Athens, GA, join the Atlanta

Film Festival for a conversation about comedy with Emmy Award winner and two-time

Grammy Award nominee David Cross (Arrested Development, The Umbrella Academy)

hosted by Amber Nash (Archer).

McKenna Grace

● Mckenna Grace | Phoenix Award

○ About Mckenna Grace: Through a body of work defined by range and emotional

precision, Mckenna Grace has established herself as one of the most accomplished

young actors of her generation. With a Primetime Emmy nomination for her standout

role in The Handmaid’s Tale, she made Emmy history as the youngest-ever nominee in

the Guest Actress category. She recently wrapped production in Lionsgate’s highly

anticipated series prequel Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. Last year, she was

seen starring in the Atlanta-based feature production Regretting You, in which she also

served as an executive producer; delivering one of the biggest horror openings of the

year in Blumhouse Picture’s anticipated sequel Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 for Universal

Pictures; and in Jan Kamosa’s Anniversary. She was most recently seen in Scream 7

directed by franchise creator Kevin Williamson. She is currently in production in Georgia

on the Netflix live action series Scooby Doo. Grace’s growing body of work also reflects a

meaningful connection to Georgia, where she has filmed several projects and

collaborated with Atlanta’s thriving production community, underscoring her role in the

region’s emergence as a major center for modern filmmaking.

○ About the Award: The Phoenix Award recognizes an individual who is rising to new

heights, embracing a fresh chapter and/or a renewed momentum in their career.

Inspired by the spirit, resilience, and forward-looking vision of the city, this honor

celebrates transformation and new beginnings in the spirit of Atlanta itself, “the Phoenix

City”. Previous recipients include Kiersey Clemons, Vincent D’Onofrio, and Ryan White,

Jessica Hargrave, Andrea Gibson and Megan Falley. Grace will receive the award at a

special screening event on April 25.

○ Event: In Conversation with Mckenna Grace: Film Screening & Q&A

Saturday, April 25, 2026, 5:00PM / Tara Theatre

As part of the 50th anniversary Legacy Screenings series, which celebrates films tied to

the festival, Atlanta and the state, ATLFF will host a screening of one of Grace’s previous

films that was produced in Georgia. Grace will appear at this screening to accept the

Phoenix Award and participate in a Q&A. The film will be announced on ATLFF’s website

as it is confirmed.

RZA

● RZA | The Originator Award

○ About RZA: RZA (Robert F Diggs) is widely recognized as the architect behind the 2026

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Wu-Tang Clan—and stands among hip-hop’s most

celebrated and influential producers. With the group’s groundbreaking 1993 debut,

“Enter the Wu-Tang” (36 Chambers), he crafted a signature sound built on raw drum

patterns and eerily layered samples drawing heavily from martial arts cinema and classic

soul recordings. His music productions sold more than 40 million albums worldwide.

After a 6 year tutelage under Quentin Tarantino, RZA transitioned into film. He made his

directorial debut with 2012’s The Man with Iron Fists. He continued to expand his

filmmaking portfolio with Love Beats Rhymes (2017) and Cut Throat City (2020), further

establishing a dedicated and passionate audience. After writing, producing and directing

on the Emmy nominated Hulu series Wu-Tang An American Saga, he returns with his

most recent and ambitious project, RZA’S One Spoon of Chocolate.

○ About the Award: The Originator Award honors someone who is a true one-of-a-kind

talent, creating new ways of seeing and experiencing art. Originators are often imitated,

never duplicated and always responsible for setting new industry standards. Previous

recipients include Joe Berlinger (Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile), Spike Lee

(Do the Right Thing, Malcolm X) and George RR Martin (Game of Thrones). RZA will

receive the award at a special screening event on April 24 at 8pm.

○ Event: One Spoon of Chocolate Screening and Q&A with RZA

Friday, April 24, 2026, 8:00PM / Tara Theatre

RZA // 2025 // English // 1h 52m

An ex-military convict seeks a fresh start in a small town, but his past catches up as he

finds love amid danger and chaos.

Alex Orr

● Alex Orr | The Will Packer Award

○ About Alex Orr: Alex Orr’s work represents the spirit of independent filmmaking that

continues to define and elevate Georgia’s place in the global film landscape. As both a

creative force and a collaborator, he has demonstrated a commitment to

character-driven storytelling and visually compelling narratives that reflect the depth

and diversity of contemporary cinema. His ongoing work within Georgia’s production

community speaks to a meaningful investment in the crews, locations, and creative

networks that have made Atlanta a vital hub for filmmakers.

○ About the Award: To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Atlanta Film Festival, the

Festival is proud to launch the Will Packer award to recognize exceptional

accomplishments in the art and craft of producing. This inaugural award is named after

Atlanta-based blockbuster producer Will Packer whose cinematic contributions to

Atlanta have transformed the city into a major player for Hollywood.

○ Event: Orr’s new film Idiots, starring Dave Franco and O’Shea Jackson Jr., will open the

50th annual festival on Thursday, April 23 at 7:00pm, and his cult-horror comedy film

Blood Car will close the festival with a special screening on Sunday, May 3, at 8:45pm at

the Plaza Theatre.

Hilton Howell

● Hilton Howell | IMAGE Film Award

○ About Hilton Howell: Hilton Howell currently serves as the Chairman of the Board and

CEO of Gray Television and Atlantic American Corporation. Hilton brings over 25 years of

experience in both the broadcast and insurance industries and began his career

practicing law prior to entering business. Hilton is on the board of directors of the

Broadcasting Foundation of America, the Advisory Council for the Center for Leadership

and Ethics for the University of Texas at Austin, and the Advisory Board of Curant Health

Care. He is also a member of YPO/WPO, the premier leadership organization of chief

executives in the world, former member of the board of directors of the National

Association of Broadcasters, and former member of the NBC Affiliate Board. Having been

appointed by Governor Zell Miller to serve on the board of the Georgia Department of

Human Resources and serving as Chairman of the Board of Regents of the University

System of Georgia, Hilton is an active member of the Atlanta community. He has also

previously served as a member of the boards of the Woodruff Arts Center, Skyland Trail,

Zoo Atlanta, and Camp Sunshine.

○ About the Award: The Atlanta Film Society’s IMAGE Film Awards honor individuals,

companies, and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to Georgia’s

film industry and creative community. The award will be presented at the IMAGE Film

Award Gala on May 1 at Assembly Atlanta.

○ About Georgia Entertainment: From the creative, cultural and entertainment capital of

the world, Georgia Entertainment is the leading source of news, analysis and

commentary for the film, broadcast, music, arts, gaming, sports, fashion and esports

industries.

○ About the Award: The Atlanta Film Society’s IMAGE Film Awards honor individuals,

companies, and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to Georgia’s

film industry and creative community. The award will be presented at the IMAGE Film

Award Gala on May 1 at Assembly Atlanta.