The 17th Annual AAFCA Awards Saw Black Excellence Take The Stage

 

The Cast of Sinners with AAFCA members. Photo credit: Arnold Turner/Eclipse Content for AAFCA

The African American Film Critics Association presented the 17th Annual AAFCA Awards on Sunday, February 8, 2026, in Beverly Hills, honoring outstanding achievement in film and the organization’s Top Ten Films of the Year.

Former White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre hosted the ceremony, which recognized Delroy Lindo, Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group, Lawrence Lamont, and others. Award winners Ryan Coogler, Chase Infiniti, Miles Caton, Wunmi Mosaku, Aldis Hodge, Edwin Hodge, and the creative teams behind Hoops, Hopes & Dreams, The Rebel Girls, Black Man, Black Man, and more were in attendance to accept their honors. AAFCA President and Co-Founder Gil Robertson presided over the event.

Additional attendees included Sheryl Lee Ralph, Ava DuVernay, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Skye P. Marshall, Mara Brock Akil, and other industry leaders.

Established in 2003, AAFCA is the premier body of Black film critics in the world, actively reviewing film and television, with a particular emphasis on entertainment highlighting the Black experience in the US and throughout the rest of the African Diaspora. For more information on AAFCA and its programs visit http://AAFCA.com.

Here is a clip of an emotional Ryan Coogler's acceptance speech on his win for Best Director (Sinners).

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1. 2nd Image Photo caption, credit:

L-R Sheryl Lee Ralph and Wunmi Mosaku. Photo credit: Arnold Turner/Eclipse Content for AAFCA.

2. Ryan Coogler Video Clip Courtesy of AAFCA.