The African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) hosted the 16th Annual AAFCA Awards on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, in Beverly Hills, honoring outstanding achievements in film and announcing the organization’s selections for the top ten films of the year.
Hosted by comedian and writer Amber Ruffin, the star-studded evening recognized industry trailblazers and rising talents alike. Among the honorees were Nicole Avant, RaMell Ross, and Malcolm Washington. Notable winners included Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Colman Domingo, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Ethan Herisse, Brandon Wilson, Danielle Deadwyler, Kris Bowers, Ray Fisher, Greg Kweder, Clint Bentley, and Clarence Maclin, all of whom attended to accept their accolades. AAFCA President and Co-Founder Gil Robertson presided over the event, underscoring the significance of Black storytelling in cinema.
Amber Ruffin kept the audience engaged with her sharp wit, particularly when she playfully remarked on how lucky a mirror must be to reflect Colman Domingo every day. She also humorously asked the Afro-Latino actor, “How gay are you?” to which Domingo, ever the entertainer, stood up and shrugged his shoulders in an exaggerated question mark, earning laughs from the crowd.
Oscar-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter, looking so youthful it was as if she had turned back the clock, accepted an award on behalf of “Wicked” costume designer Paul Tazewell, who could make history at the Oscars. Meanwhile, screenwriter Greg Kwedar, co-writer of “Sing Sing,” shared the incredible nine-year journey behind the film. He revealed that Domingo signed on before there was even a script or funding and remained dedicated to the project for six years, eventually becoming one of its producers.
A recurring theme in many acceptance speeches was a deep reverence for ancestors. The phrase “Our ancestors’ hands were on it” resonated throughout the evening, reinforcing the idea that Black creatives continue to honor their lineage as they navigate an industry still fraught with challenges and inequities.
Additional attendees included Ted Sarandos, Tyler Perry, Questlove, Lynn Whitfield, Kym Whitley, Tyler Lepley, Robert Ri’chard, Kat Graham, and many more. In a meaningful gesture, AAFCA welcomed first responders as special guests in appreciation of their heroic efforts during the recent Los Angeles wildfires.
Founded in 2003, AAFCA is the premier organization of Black film critics worldwide, actively reviewing film and television while amplifying stories that center the Black experience in the U.S. and across the African Diaspora.
For more information on AAFCA and its programs, visit AAFCA.com.
