The African American Film Critics Association on Wednesday revealed honorees for its 2025 Special Achievement Awards and 16th annual AAFCA Awards, with the casts and creative teams behind Amazon MGM Studios’ Nickel Boys and Netflix’s The Piano Lesson leading the way.
For Nickel Boys, RaMell Ross’ adaptation of the Colson Whitehead novel, the drama will be recognized with the Karen & Stanley Kramer Social Justice Award, while stars Brandon Wilson and Ethan Herisse will receive the Gen Next Award. Amazon MGM executive Amber Rasberry will receive the Horizon Award.
Those three honors, along with Lynn Whitfield (Legacy Award), will be feted during the AAFCA’s Special Achievement Awards on February 2, 2025 at the Los Angeles Athletic Club to kick off Black History Month.
At the AAFCA Awards, set for February 19 at the Beverly Wilshire, Nickel Boys director/co-screenwriter Ross will receive the Spotlight Award, while Piano Lesson director Malcom Washington will receive the Emerging Director Award, and the latter film’s Ray Fisher will receive the Breakout Performance Award.
In addition, producer Nicole Avant will receive Beacon Award for her recent work that includes Tyler Perry’s upcoming The Six Triple Eight and The Black Godfather about her dad the last music producer and entrepreneur Clarence Avent.
“Our honorees set a high standard of discipline, talent, and hard work that inspires others to strive for greatness,” AAFCA president and co-founder Gil Robertson said in a release announcing the lists. “In our present environment, it becomes more important than ever to acknowledge the examples that they’ve set. Their contributions reflect a level of excellence that propels our industry forward.”
The AAFC will roll out its 2025 AAFCA Awards nominees later this season. Last year, Origin was named the organization’s Best Drama, with the film also scoring wins for Ava DuVernay (Best Director) and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor (Best Actress). American Fiction and The Color Purple also took top honors.