Will Smith makes first in-person awards appearance since Oscars drama - but why was he honoured?

Will Smith made his first in-person appearance at Wednesday's (1 March) African American Film Critics Association Awards to accept The Beacon Award. It was the first time the actor had attended an award ceremony since he infamously slapped Chris Rock on stage at the 2022 Oscars. 

The Emancipation actor accepted the award alongside the director of the film Antione Fuqua who explained: “The Beacon Award is designed to recognise films that approach challenging subjects with insight, enlightening, as well as engaging the audience.”

The Bad Boys actor, 54, looked in high spirits as he accepted the special honours award.

In his acceptance speech Will said: “Emancipation was the most difficult film of my entire career, It’s really difficult to transport a modern mind to that time period. It’s difficult to imagine that level of inhumanity.”

Other winners of the night included Best Supporting actress Angela Bassett, Best Supporting Actor Brian Tyree Henry and Best Picture The Woman King. 

Since the Oscars Will has been noticeably absent from award shows.

He didn't attend the NAACP Image Awards where he won the Outstanding Actor Award for his role in Emancipation. It was the actors first award since the Oscars controversy. 

He later posted a picture on Instagram accepting the award the caption read: "WOW!! NAACP!! I am absolutely humbled by this!! I want to share this with my entire Emancipation family". 

The Apple+ film is based on the true story of Peter, a slave, who flees a plantation in Louisiana after he was whipped within an inch of his life. He has to avoid cold-blooded hunters and the unforgiving swamps of Louisiana on his journey north.