Will Smith made a triumphant return to the awards season circuit on Wednesday, as he accepted the Beacon Award at the African American Film Critics Association Awards. This marked his first public speech since his controversial incident at the 2022 Oscars, in which he slapped Chris Rock on stage.

At the ceremony, Smith was introduced by his co-star Charmaine Bingwa and AAFCA cofounder Gil L. Robertson. After director Antoine Fuqua gave thanks, Smith took the stage to share his experiences while filming "Emancipation," the historical drama that earned him the award.

Smith regaled the crowd with stories of the challenges he faced while shooting the movie, including the intense heat on the second day of filming and an uncomfortable ad lib from a co-star that involved spitting on his chest. However, he also shared how grateful he was to have had the opportunity to work on a project that he felt was truly important.

"I want to thank Gil and AAFCA. I want to thank all of you in this room for doing what you do, keeping our stories alive. I want to thank Apple, because the budget was one thing. And then the budget was another thing. And then the budget was another thing. And Apple never flinched," Smith said. "It was the first time I had heard from a studio that the story was more important than how much it costs to get it done… They make iPhones. They can do it."

Before the ceremony, Bingwa shared a heartwarming anecdote about Smith's generosity towards his fellow actors during a particularly difficult scene. She also jokingly remarked on the opening scene of the movie, which required Smith to repeatedly wash her feet.

The evening's other honorees included "Till," "Nope" composer Michael Abels, "Wakanda Forever" production designer Hannah Beachler, and "Wakanda Forever" producer Nate Moore. AAFCA is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, and the organization is proud to continue shining a light on the best and brightest in African American cinema.