Will Smith returns to the award stage for the first time since the 2022 Oscars

Will Smith attended the Beacon Award at the African American Film Critics Association Awards on Wednesday.

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Will Smith appears on the awards season circuit to accept the Beacon Award.

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Will Smith slapped Chris Rock on stage at the 2022 Academy Awards.

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The Oscar winner marked Smith's first-person acceptance speech at an award show.

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Will Smith accepts the award with his Emancipation director Antoine Fuqua

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Will Smith said the Beacon Award aims to highlight films that tackle challenging topics in a way that is insightful, informative, as well as engaging to audiences,"

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Will Smith said ""It was one of our hopes that Salvation, that it would be able to bring to life the triumphant story of Peter and his unwavering faith and his love for his family."

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The stage director thanked Apple, AAFCA, and the film's cast and crew before handing the mic over to Will Smith.

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