2024 AAFCA Awards winners list: ‘Nickel Boys,’ ‘Sing Sing,’ ‘The Piano Lesson’ score multiple victories
On Friday, the African American Film Critics Association announced its winners for the 2024 calendar year, and it’s great news for “Nickel Boys,” “Sing Sing,” and “The Piano Lesson.” See the complete AAFCA Awards winners list below.
These three movies each scored multiple wins, including the top three placements on the organization’s “Films of the Year” list. In addition, “Nickel Boys” scooped up Best Picture and Best Director for RaMell Ross, “Sing Sing” won Best Actor for Colman Domingo, Best Supporting Actor for Clarence Maclin, and Best Screenplay for Clint Bentley & Greg Kwedar, and “The Piano Lesson” claimed Best Supporting Actress for Danielle Deadwyler and Best Ensemble. Meanwhile, the Best Actress prize went to Marianne Jean-Baptiste for “Hard Truths.”
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All of these winners were selected by the African American Film Critics Association’s more than 100 members. The champions will be celebrated at the 16th annual ceremony on Feb. 19 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel. That’s less than two weeks before the 2025 Oscars will hand out its trophies on March 2.
SEE2025 Oscars calendar update
AAFCA president and co-founder Gil Robertson said, “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. 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.”
AAFCA’S TOP 10 FILMS OF THE YEAR
1. “Nickel Boys”
2. “Sing Sing”
3. “The Piano Lesson”
4. “Gladiator II”
5. “Wicked”
6. “Emilia Pérez”
7. “Albany Road”
8. “The Fire Inside”
9. “Exhibiting Forgiveness”
10. “Dahomey”
INDIVIDUAL WINNERS
Best Picture: “Nickel Boys”
Best Director: RaMell Ross (“Nickel Boys”)
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 Screenplay: Clint Bentley & Greg Kwedar (“Sing Sing”)
Best Ensemble: “The Piano Lesson”
Best Original Score: Kris Bowers (“The Wild Robot”)
Best Original Song: Andra Day, Cassandra Batie & Jherek Bischoff (“Bricks” for “Exhibiting Forgiveness”)
Best Documentary: *TIE* “Daughters” (Netflix), “Dahomey” (Mubi)
Best Animated Feature: “The Wild Robot”
Best International Film: “Emilia Pérez”
Best Independent Feature: “She Taught Love”
Previously announced honorees include the following:
Nicole Avant, Beacon Award
Malcolm Washington, Emerging Director Award
Ray Fisher, Breakout Performance Award
RaMell Ross, Spotlight Award
Paul Tazewell, Innovator Award
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