The historical film Nickel Boys, about two African American teenagers sent to a notorious reform school in the Jim Crow South, will receive multiple honors from the African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA).
In a press release Wednesday, Nov. 27, AAFCA announced the drama will pick up honors for acting, directing and social justice at the group’s 2025 Special Achievement Awards and at the 16th Annual AAFCA Awards.
Filmmaker RaMell Ross will receive the Spotlight Award for his work as the director and co-screenwriter of the film.
Actors Brandon Wilson and Ethan Herisse (shown above) will be awarded the Gen Next Award for demonstrating “exceptional promise and creativity” with their performances in Nickel Boys.
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The film will also receive the Karen & Stanley Kramer Social Justice Award for “spotlighting the abuse heaped upon generations of boys.”
Based on Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, the drama chronicles the brutal realities at Florida’s state-run Dozier School for Boys. In a 2012 analysis, NPR reported the school had a “history of brutality” and at least “81 boys are known to have died there.”
Nickel Boys is scheduled to have a limited theatrical release in New York and Los Angeles in December, with more locations to be announced later.
The AAFCA Special Achievement Awards take place on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025 in Los Angeles. While the 16th Annual AAFCA Awards will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025 in Beverly Hills.
“Our honorees set a high standard of discipline, talent, and hard work that inspires others to strive for greatness,” said AAFCA President and Co-Founder Gil Robertson. “In our present environment, it’s more important than ever to acknowledge the examples that they’ve set. Their contributions reflect a level of excellence that propels our industry forward.”
Below is the full list of 2025 honorees at the two AAFCA events.
AAFCA Special Achievement Awards:
-Lynn Whitfield, Legacy Award
-Amber Rasberry, Horizon Award
-Brandon Wilson and Ethan Herisse, Gen Next Award
–Nickel Boys — Karen & Stanley Kramer Social Justice Award
16th Annual AAFCA Awards:
-Nicole Avant, Beacon Award
-Malcolm Washington, Emerging Director Award
-Ray Fisher, Breakout Performance Award
-RaMell Ross, Spotlight Award
