Nia Long Receives Leonard Maltin Award in Coronado
Actress Nia Long was honored at the Coronado Island Film Festival, where Kenny Loggins also received the festival's Legacy Award.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Awards
Nia Long received the Leonard Maltin Award at the Coronado Island Film Festival on Wednesday, November 4. Kenny Loggins received the festival's Legacy Award, and his documentary Kenny Loggins: Conviction of the Heart was screened ahead of the ceremony.
Why it matters
The honors recognize decades of work by two entertainers, with Long reflecting on a childhood crush that connected her to Loggins' music. The event highlights how film festivals use tributes and documentary screenings to celebrate careers in entertainment.
Long has worked in Hollywood for 30 years, and Loggins' hit 'This Is It' dates to 1979. Long's memoir The Sound of Purpose is scheduled for release on May 25, 2027, and the Michael role she played opened in theaters in April 2026.
The players
Nia Long
Nia Long is an American actress who has worked in Hollywood for about 30 years and portrayed Katherine Jackson in Antoine Fuqua's Michael.
Kenny Loggins
Kenny Loggins is an American singer-songwriter known for hits such as 'This Is It' and for writing 'Playing with the Boys' for the Top Gun soundtrack.
Coronado Island Film Festival
The Coronado Island Film Festival is a film festival held on Coronado Island in California that presents tributes such as the Leonard Maltin Award and the Legacy Award.
The details
During her acceptance speech, Long confessed that Kenny Loggins was the first white man she had a crush on, a affection that began in her childhood in Iowa, and recited lyrics from his 1979 hit 'This Is It.' Loggins was also honored, and his documentary was shown before the ceremony.
Timeline
1979: Loggins releases 'This Is It.'
April 2026: Michael, in which Long portrays Katherine Jackson, arrives in theaters.
Wednesday, November 4, 2026: The Coronado Island Film Festival honors ceremony takes place.
May 25, 2027: Long's memoir The Sound of Purpose is scheduled to arrive.
Culture Shift
Loggins' 'Playing with the Boys' for the 1986 Top Gun soundtrack remains one of the most recognized pop-culture song placements of its era. Honoring Loggins decades later at a film festival reflects how older film-linked music continues to shape entertainment tributes.
Readers interested in Long's work can look forward to her memoir The Sound of Purpose, scheduled for May 25, 2027. Fans of Michael can follow Long's career as she continues to take on new projects following her role in the film's April 2026 release.
The takeaway
Long's Coronado tribute shows how personal memories tied to a musician's work can become part of a celebrated career milestone. Readers interested in the honorees can watch for Long's memoir, scheduled for May 25, 2027.
Further reading
Explore more in the Awards section for additional coverage of honors and tributes in entertainment.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Complex.
