Winners Announced For The 17th Annual AAFCA Awards Presented By The African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA)
GALLERY
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.
AAFCA’s Top 10 Films list and the winners of the 17th Annual AAFCA Awards are:
AAFCA’S TOP 10 FILMS OF THE YEAR
1. Sinners (Warner Bros.)
2. One Battle After Another (Warner Bros.)
3. Hedda (Amazon MGM)
4. Frankenstein (Netflix)
5. Hamnet (Focus Features)
6. Wicked: For Good (Universal Pictures)
7. F1 (Apple/Warner Bros.)
8. One of Them Days (Sony Pictures Releasing)
9. The Knife (Relativity Media)
10. The Smashing Machine (A24)
WINNERS | 17TH ANNUAL AAFCA AWARDS
BEST ACTOR - Michael B. Jordan, Sinners (Warner Bros.)
BEST ACTRESS - Tessa Thompson, Hedda (Amazon MGM)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS - Wunmi Mosaku, Sinners (Warner Bros.)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR - Damson Idris, F1 (Apple/Warner Bros.)
BEST DOCUMENTARY - The Perfect Neighbor (Netflix)
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE - KPop Demon Hunters (Netflix)
BEST DIRECTOR - Ryan Coogler, Sinners (Warner Bros.)
BEST WRITING - Ryan Coogler, Sinners (Warner Bros.)
EMERGING FACE (ACTOR) - Miles Caton, Sinners (Warner Bros.)
EMERGING FACE (ACTRESS) - Chase Infiniti, One Battle After Another (Warner Bros.)
BEST INDEPENDENT FEATURE - Hedda (Amazon MGM)
BEST ENSEMBLE - Sinners (Warner Bros.)
BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT - The Rebel Girls
BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT - Hoops, Hopes & Dreams
BEST ANIMATED SHORT - Black Man, Black Man
BEST MUSIC - Ludwig Göransson, Sinners (Warner Bros.)
HONOREES | 17TH ANNUAL AAFCA AWARDS
“Our Special Achievement honorees represent leadership, vision, and courage at every level of the industry,” said Gil Robertson, president and co-founder of AAFCA. “From creative executives and advocates behind the scenes to institutions that have amplified bold and socially relevant storytelling, these honorees embody the values AAFCA was founded to celebrate.”
DEVON FRANKLIN – ASHLEY BOONE AWARD
ERICK PEYTON – GAME CHANGER AWARD
SONY PICTURES MOTION PICTURE GROUP – IMPACT AWARD
JASON AIDOO – VANGUARD AWARD
LAWRENCE LAMONT – BREAKTHROUGH DIRECTOR AWARD
DELROY LINDO – BEACON AWARD
NIKKOLE DENSON-RANDOLPH – SPOTLIGHT AWARD
LORRIE BARTLETT – SALUTE TO EXCELLENCE AWARDustry.
MICHELLE SATTER – FILM ADVOCATE AWARD
SONY PICTURES CLASSICS – KAREN AND STANLEY KRAMER AWARD
Both winners and honorees were selected by AAFCA’s more than 100+ members and were celebrated at this year’s ceremony. For more information on the 17th Annual AAFCA Awards, visit aafca.com.