I started attending film awards ceremonies with my late husband, Roger, about thirty-five years ago. In those early years, I noticed that few ceremonies included black entertainers as award winners or even attendees. There has been a movement to draw attention to this issue for years. And between the founding of the African-American Film Critics Association (“AAFCA”), the “Oscars-so-white” movement, an actual awards ceremony called “The Black Oscars”, the Independent Spirit Awards, and now the Black Oscars, the American Film Critics Association (“AAFCA”), and the creation of the Black Oscars. Critics’ Choice Association (“CCA”) Celebration of Black Cinema and TVMuch progress has been made in recognizing the excellent work of African-American actors, directors, producers, musicians, and entertainers in general.
On Monday night, December 9, at the Fairmont Hotel in Los Angeles, the entire ballroom was filled with an elegantly dressed crowd of entertainers, directors, showrunners, executives, actors, their families and their agents in celebration of Black cinema and television. Were gathered. Jay Pharoah served as master of ceremonies, and he was hilarious.
However, he began reverentially, remembering Melvin Van Peebles as the original pioneer. In the audience were Mario Van Peebles and his son Melvin.
This majority-black event was the brainchild of Shawn Edwards, who is also a co-founder of the AAFCA. Shawn said the idea for the event came to him on the 100th anniversary of Oscar Micheaux’s founding of the first black film studio. This year marked the seventh edition of this festival of black cinema. It was co-hosted by CCA CEO Joey Berlin and Shawn Edwards, with Shawn serving as executive producer. The program was produced by Madeline Hammond and Javier Infante.
I have attended many of these events, but this year the speeches were so moving and meaningful that they moved the audience from tears to wild applause. It felt like the show was substantive, about more than just entertainment, and repeatedly mentioned why representation is important. Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, receiving the Social Impact Award from Rammel Ross (“Nickel Boys”), spoke passionately and inspiringly about helping people in communities when they need it most. While receiving the Icon Award from Kelly Rowland (Destiny’s Child), Tyler Perry reflected on his journey from growing up as a child in poverty to now owning a film studio in what was once a Confederate military base. He spoke modestly, but as we all know, he has helped many African-Americans in the industry in front of and behind the camera.
As James Brown once sang: “I don’t want nobody to give me nothing. Open the door, and I’ll bring it myself.”
Well, the doors have opened. This year, we have a bunch of worthy movies and streaming series by or about African Americans in some way or another. Malcolm D. Lee received a Career Achievement Award from Taye Diggs, Harold Perrineau and Monica Calhoun for his 25 years in the business (“The Best Man;” “Undercover Brother;” “Girls Trip”). She became an audience favorite when she poignantly credited all the black women who helped her along the way! Ava DuVernay presented the CCA’s first Composer Award to Chris Bowers, whom she described as “genius”. And Sheryl Lee Ralph lovingly presented Cynthia Erivo with the actress award for “Wicked.”
Ryan Destiny was dressed like an adorable princess, in contrast to her female boxer character in “The Fire Inside”, for which she was given the Rising Star Award by Brian Tyree Henry. Equally impressive was Jarrell Jerome, who won a Breakthrough Actor Award for “Unstoppable.” It was presented to him by the actual wrestler portrayed in the film, Anthony Robles, and his mother Judy Robles. Jharrel’s performance is truly amazing. Steve McQueen was awarded as director of “Blitz”. But since he was called in for an emergency, I was asked to present his award and accept it on his behalf.
John David Washington was surprised to receive the actor award for “The Piano Lesson” from none other than Jeffrey Wright, who praised Washington’s ability to perform. Regina King was presented with the Trailblazer Award by Aldis Hodge, and Jay Pharaoh said he fell in love with her during her “Room 227” days. No awards show would be complete without Wendell Pierce, and his friend and fellow actor Courtney B. Vance presented him with the Actor Award for the series “Elsbeth”. Natasha Rothwell was praised by Jay Ellis as the ultimate innovator when he gave her the producer award for “How to Die Alone.” Mara Brock Akil presented the documentary award to Natalie Rae and Angela Patton for “Daughters”. Akil then admitted that the film, which follows young girls visiting their jailed fathers, is close to his heart personally. Overall, it was a powerful night of successes, signaling even more good things to come as awards season comes into full bloom.
Below is a list of the award winners from the CCA Black Cinema & TV Festival, followed by an alphabetical list of films by or about African-Americans that you won’t want to miss. This list of films is not exhaustive, so I apologize if I missed any films that should be included.
The order of awards at the CCA Ceremony of Black Cinema and TV
- Wendell Pierce, Actor Award-Series (Elsbeth), Presented by Courtney B Vance
- Natasha Rothwell, Producer Award (How to Die Alone), Presented by jay ellis
- John David Washington, Actor Award (The Piano Lesson), Presented by jeffrey wright
- ryan destinyRising Star Award (The Fire Inside), Presented by Brian Tyree Henry
- Aunjanue Ellis-TaylorSocial Impact Award (Nickel Boys), Presented by Ramel Ross, Ethan Harrise and Brandon Wilson
- tyler perry, Icon Award (The Six Triple Eight), Presented by Kelly Rowland
- steve mcqueenDirector Award (Blitz) Presented and accepted by Chaz Ebert
- Michael Rennie Jr..,Rising Star Award-Series (Power Book II: Ghost), Presented by Wendell Pierce and Naturi Naughton
- Natalie Rae and Angela Patton, Documentary Award (Daughters), Presented by mara brock akil
- Jharrel Jerome, Breakthrough Actor Award (Ajeya), Presented by Anthony Robles and Judy Robles
- chris bowers, Composer Award (The Wild Robot), Presented by ava duvernay
- Cynthia ErivoActress Award (Wicked), Presented by Sheryl Lee Ralph
- regina king, Trailblazer Award (Shirley), Presented by aldis hodge
- Malcolm D. LeeCareer Achievement Award, Presented by Taye Diggs and Nia Long (Joined on stage by Harold Perrineau and Monica Calhoun)
List of Movies You Don’t Want to Miss
“Birds” (Director Andrea Arnold)
“Blitz” (dir. Steve McQueen)
“Coloring Book” (Director David Fortune)
“Daughters” (dir. Angela Patton, Chad Morris)
“Hard Truth” (Director Mike Leigh)
“I Saw the Flash of TV” (Director Jan Schonbrunn)
“Nickel Boys” (Director Remmel Ross)
“Origins” (Director Ava DuVernay)
“Shirley” (dir. John Ridley)
“The Fire Inside” (dir. Rachel Morrison)
“The Piano Lesson” (dir. Malcolm Washington)
“The Six Triple Eight” (dir. Tyler Perry)
“The Wild Robot” (dir. Chris Sanders)
“We’re Grown Up Now” (Director Minhal Baig)
“Rogue” (dir. Jon M. Chu)
“Unstoppable” (Director William Goldenberg)