The African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA), the premiere organization of black film journalists, is launching its first ever AAFCA Awards Weekend of events, featuring an entertainment industry career panel and an exclusive, invitation-only dinner leading up to its signature AAFCA Awards ceremony, which honors the best in film and television content, on Wednesday, Feb. 4 at the Taglyan Complex in Hollywood.
Entertainment Tonight correspondent Nischelle Turner will host the AAFCA Awards, now in its sixth year.
The critically acclaimed Academy Award-nominated film Selma has been named Best Picture by AAFCA. Other AAFCA 2015 winners include Franklin Leonard (The Black List co-founder), Horizon Award, Gina Prince-Bythewood (Best Screenplay), Stephanie Allain (Legacy Award), Common, (“Glory”/Selma, Best Music), Justin Simien, director/Dear White People (Best Independent Film), David Oyelowo, Selma (Best Actor), and Ava DuVernay, Selma (Best Director/Best Film).
Talent and notable personalities confirmed to participate in the weekend’s events include Academy Award Winning director Kathryn Bigelow (The Hurt Locker), honoree Debra Martin Chase (producer, Sparkle), honoree Cheryl Boone Isaacs, President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, honoree Susan King, Entertainment writer, Los Angeles Times, Mike Epps (Survivor’s Remorse), Gugu Mbatha Raw (Beyond the Lights), Khandi Alexander (Scandal), Chaz Ebert (Producer and widow of Roger Ebert), the cast of critically-acclaimed feature films “Selma” and “Get on Up,” Salli Richardson Whitfield (Eureka), RZA (The Man with the Golden Fists), Wendy Racquel Robinson (The Game), Edwina Findley (If Loving You is Wrong), Emayatzy Corinealdi (Middle of Nowhere), Eriq LaSalle (ER, The Night Shift), Eva Marcille (ANTM), Kym Whitley (Raising Whitley), Tasha Smith (Why Did I Get Married), Erica and Warren Campbell and Dr. Rachel Ross (The Doctors), to name a few.
Established in 2003, the African American Film Critics Association is comprised of the key African American film journalists in the United States. The organization created the AAFCA Awards in 2009, which has steadily grown into an important event during Hollywood’s busy awards season.
Details on AAFCA Weekend Events:
Saturday, January 31 @ 4 p.m. – Panel Q&A -“Money on My Mind: Film & Television Industry Careers” featuring industry talent working in front of and behind the cameras. The panel and reception are sponsored by One United Bank. Location: 3683 Crenshaw Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90016 RSVP: info@aafca.com.
Monday, February 2 – An exclusive, invitation-only pre-AAFCA Awards dinner will take place at a private residence.
Confirmed honorees and presenters include:
Salli Richardson (The Newsroom)
Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Beyond The Lights)
John Singleton (Hustle and Flow)
RZA (The Man with the Iron Fists)
Mike Epps (Survivor’s Remorse)
Tyler Lepley (The Haves and The Have Nots)
Edwina Findley (If Loving You Is Wrong)
Franklin Leonard (The Black List)
David Oyelowo (Selma)
Ava DuVernay (Selma)
Common (Selma)
Gina Price-Bythewood (Beyond the Lights),
Stephanie Allain Beyond the Lights/Dear White People)
Justin Simien (Dear White People)
Kathryn Bigelow Academy Award Winner (The Hurt Locker)
Khandi Alexander (Scandal)
Wendy Racquel Robinson (The Game)
Connect with AAFCA on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/236178445344/
Instagram: @aafca
Twitter:@theaafca
ABOUT
AFRICAN- AMERICAN FILM CRITICS ASSOCIATION
(AAFCA)
The African-American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) actively reviews cinema at-large, with a particular emphasis on films which include the Black experience. The organization creates a platform for movies with universal appeal to the African-American community, while highlighting films produced, written, directed and starring, persons from the African Diaspora. Our members are also involved in our advocacy work that includes programming for students interested in film criticism and journalism.