Selma, the first studio film to center around Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., is the big winner among the critics representing the African-American Film Critics Association also known as the AAFCA. The Paramount film earned multiple awards from AAFCA for best director, Ava DuVernay; best actor for Oyelowo and best song for its John Legend and Common theme song, “Glory.” AAFCA will hold its annual award ceremony and dinner on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015, at 7:00 p.m. at the Taglyan Complex in Hollywood, California.
“Our members found the output of cinema released this year to be a truly insightful mix of titles that reflect the world we live in. The members of AAFCA were especially pleased with this range of storytelling supported by the studios that gave voice to the many sides of the experience of Black people in America and around the world,” says AAFCA president Gil Robertson. “We had a lot to pick from this year from Belle, Dear White People, Top Five, Timbuktu and Selma and hope the industry will continue to provide a platform for diversity on the big screen.”
The following is a complete list of 2014 AAFCA Awards winners:
Best Actor David Oyelowo, Selma (Paramount)
Best Actress Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Belle (Fox Searchlight)
Best Supporting Actress Octavia Spencer, Black and White (Rela.)
Best Supporting Actor Tyler Perry, Gone Girl (Fox) /J.K. Simmons, Whiplash (SPC)
Best World Cinema Timbuktu (Les Films du Worso)
Breakout Performance Tessa Thompson, Dear White People (RAtt.)
Best Director Ava DuVernay, Selma (Paramount)
Best Screenplay Gina Prince-Bythewood, Beyond the Lights (Rela)
Best Music John Legend/Common, “Glory” (Selma soundtrack)
Best Ensemble Get On Up (Universal)
Best Independent Film Dear White People (Roadside Attractions)
Best Animation The Boxtrolls (Focus)
Best Documentary Life Itself (Magnolia)
AAFCA Top Ten Films of 2014 are as follows in order of distinction:
1. Selma
2. The Imitation Game
3. Theory of Everything
4. Birdman
5. Belle
6. Top Five
7. Unbroken
8. Dear White People
9. Get On Up
10. Black and White
As previously announced, AAFCA’s Special Achievement honors will be awarded to Universal Pictures, chair, Donna Langley; LA Film Festival director and producer, Stephanie Allain and “Blacklist” cofounder, Franklin Leonard. Motion Picture and Television Producer Debra Martin-Chase will receive the organization’s Ashley Boone Award and Los Angeles Times entertainment reporter, Susan King will receive the group’s Roger Ebert Award.
