African American Film Critics Honor ‘Black Panther’ and ‘Queen Sugar’

The African American Film Critics Association celebrated excellence in film and television Wednesday night at the 10th Annual AAFCA Awards.

There were tears, laughs and several poignant moments during the ceremony in Los Angeles, hosted by The Neighborhood actress Tichina Arnold.

Director and activist Ava DuVernay opened the awards ceremony by presenting the AAFCA Best Director honor to Black Panther filmmaker Ryan Coogler.

“It really, truly is an honor,” Coogler told the audience.

Music icon Quincy Jones received the AAFCA Stanley Kramer Award, which was presented by Karen Kramer, wife of the late producer-director.

BlacKkKlansman producer and Blumhouse Productions CEO, Jason Blum, got emotional on stage when he was presented with the AAFCA Cinema Vanguard Award.

Blum said he was so thrilled about receiving the honor that he had written about 35 drafts of his acceptance speech. The Hollywood executive, whose company also produced Get Out, added that Blumhouse is committed to telling diverse stories.

“We do not hire diverse directors to win awards. We don’t hire women because it’s the right thing to do. We hire diversity because we hire the best. We hire diversity because it’s been great for our business,” Blum said.

“It’s time for artists in front of and behind the camera to look like the world looks,” he added.

The evening’s presenters included John David Washington, Dondre Whitfield, Salli Richardson-Whitfield, Lakeith Stanfield, AAFCA co-founders Gil Robertson and Shawn Edwards, and many more.

Below is the complete list of winners at the 10th Annual AAFCA Awards
Best Film: Black Panther

Best Director: Ryan Coogler (Black Panther)

Best Screenplay: Charlie Wachtel & David Rabinowitz and Kevin Willmott & Spike Lee (BlacKkKlansman)

Best Actor: John David Washington (BlacKkKlansman)

Best Actress: Regina Hall (Support the Girls)

Best Supporting Actor: Russell Hornsby (The Hate U Give)

Best Supporting Actress: Regina King (If Beale Street Could Talk)

Best Breakout Performance: Amandla Stenberg (The Hate U Give)

Best Animated Film: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse

Best Independent Film: If Beale Street Could Talk

Best Foreign Film: Roma

Best Documentary: Quincy

Best Song: “All The Stars” (Black Panther)

Best New Media: Red Table Talk

Best TV Drama: Queen Sugar

Best TV Comedy: Insecure

Cinema Vanguard:Jason Blum

Stanley Kramer Award: Quincy Jones

Breakthrough Film Award: Aneesh Chaganty