The African American Film Critics Association Awards; Here Is The Full List Of Winners

The African American Film Critics Association Awards (AAFCA) returned to Beverly Wilshire on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, to celebrate Black stories and diversity across cinema and the entertainment industry.

The African American Film Critics Association was founded in 2003 and dedicates itself to honoring outstanding achievements in film.

The awards emphasize movies and TV showcasing the Black experience and/or written, directed, produced, or starring people from across the African diaspora.

This year’s awards ceremony was hosted by Amber Ruffin and had high-profile personalities like Nicole Avant, RaMell Ross, Malcolm Washington, and more on the list of honorees.

Additionally, the ceremony attendees included Ted Sarandos, Tyler Perry, Questlove, Lynn Whitfield, Kym Whitley, Tyler Lepley, Robert Ri’chard, Kat Graham, and more.

This year’s AAFCA also included first responders as special guests in honor of their heroic efforts during the recent LA wildfires.

Winners of this year’s awards were 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.

However, just in case you missed out on all the buzz surrounding the televised event, below is the list of all the winners of the night, including the top ten films.

Best Picture

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 Ensemble

The Piano Lesson

Best Original Score

The Wild Robot—Music by Kris Bowers

Best Original Song

“Bricks,” Exhibiting Forgiveness (Music & lyrics by Andra Day, Cassandra Batie, and Jherek Bischoff)

Best Director

RaMell Ross, Nickel Boys

Best Documentary—(Tie)

Daughters

Dahomey

Best Animated Feature

The Wild Robot

Best International Film

Emilia Pérez

Best Independent Feature

She Taught Love

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