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The African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) has announced its winners for the 16th annual AAFCA Awards, recognizing outstanding contributions to cinema, along with the group’s selections for the top ten films of the year.
While “Nickel Boys” takes top honors, along with a Best Director win for RaMell Ross, A24 release “Sing Sing” won three awards, including Best Actor for star Colman Domingo.
The winners will be celebrated at the 16th Annual AAFCA Awards on February 19 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills. The announcement was made by AAFCA president and co-founder Gil Robertson. “This has been a defining year for cinema, with an impressive array of stories that capture the complexity, resilience, and beauty of the human experience,” he said in an official statement. “We are proud to honor this year’s filmmakers and talent, whose work continues to expand the scope of humanity on screen. These films do more than entertain — they amplify voices and perspectives that deserve to be heard, and we look forward to celebrating their lasting impact.”
The announcement follows AAFCA revealing its Special Achievement Awards winners for 2025, who will be feted at a different ceremony on Sunday, February 2 at the Los Angeles Athletic Club.
See AAFCA’s Top 10 Films list, plus the list of the 16th Annual AAFCA Awards winners below.
AAFCA’S TOP 10 FILMS OF THE YEAR
- “Nickel Boys”
- “Sing Sing”
- “The Piano Lesson”
- “Gladiator II”
- “Wicked”
- “Emilia Pérez”
- “Albany Road”
- “The Fire Inside”
- “Exhibiting Forgiveness”
- “Dahomey”
WINNERS | 16TH ANNUAL AAFCA AWARDS
Best Actor: Colman Domingo (“Sing Sing”)
Best Actress: Marianne Jean-Baptiste (“Hard Truths”)
Best Supporting Actor: Clarence Maclin (“Sing Sing”)
Best Supporting Actress: Danielle Deadwyler (“The Piano Lesson”)
Best Ensemble: “The Piano Lesson”
Best Original Score: “The Wild Robot” (Kris Bowers)
Best Original Song: “Bricks,” “Exhibiting Forgiveness” (Andra Day, Cassandra Batie & Jherek Bischoff)
Best Screenplay: “Sing Sing” (Clint Bentley, Greg Kwedar)
Best Director: RaMell Ross (“Nickel Boys”)
Best Documentary: TIE “Daughters” (Netflix), “Dahomey” (Mubi)
Best Animated Feature: “The Wild Robot”
Best International Film: “Emilia Pérez”
Best Independent Feature: “She Taught Love”
Best Picture: “Nickel Boys”
Winners were selected by AAFCA’s more than 100+ members and will be celebrated at this year’s ceremony, alongside the previously announced honorees, including:
Nicole Avant, Beacon Award
Malcolm Washington, Emerging Director Award
Ray Fisher, Breakout Performance Award
RaMell Ross, Spotlight Award
Paul Tazewell, Innovator Award
English (US) ·