By Anita Bennett
Contributing Writer
BEVERLY HILLS — It was a celebration of Black stories and Black artists at the 15th annual AAFCA Awards, hosted by the African American Film Critics Association.
Held at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills Feb. 21, the ceremony brought out familiar names and faces who talked about the importance of celebrating their own.
“It’s so good to be seen,” actress Danielle Brooks said from the stage while fighting back tears.
Brooks plays Sofia in “The Color Purple” movie musical from producers Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Scott Sanders and Quincy Jones.
The Juilliard-trained performer tied for the best supporting actress award with Da’Vine Joy Randolph, who portrays a mother grieving the loss of her son in “The Holdovers.”
Brooks, Randolph, Jeffrey Wright, Sterling K. Brown and Colman Domingo all received Oscar nominations this year, and all picked up AAFCA Awards as well.
“I want to thank God for letting me live long enough to recognize the beauty in all humanity,” Brown said.
The actor, who is best known to audiences for his Emmy-winning turn in NBC’s “This Is Us,” received the best supporting actor award.
Brown currently stars in “American Fiction” as a plastic surgeon who comes out as gay after his wife finds him with another man.
The actor spoke of tolerance in his acceptance speech and said he’s learned to “love without limits” after growing up in Missouri, where being different was frowned upon.
“American Fiction” lead actor Jeffrey Wright received the group’s acting legend award. He thanked Black film critics for embracing the low-budget drama about racism in the publishing industry.
“We are indebted to the critics, especially to the members of AAFCA, for their early and vigorous support of our film, ‘American Fiction’ — a small budgeted film, but a film telling a big and timely story,” Wright said. “I’m grateful for that support and for this honor even though I don’t think I’m old enough to be honored in this way.”
The association also awarded Colman Domingo this year’s best actor trophy for his performance in the historical drama “Rustin.” The actor portrays civil rights pioneer Bayard Rustin, who is considered the architect of the 1963 March on Washington.
While the film is set in the 1960s, Domingo told the audience its message still resonates today.
“This film truly is a clarion call to all of us right now, to take part in our democracy, to not feel like it’s futile, and that we don’t have a choice or an opportunity,” Domingo said.
“Rustin” was produced by former President Barack Obama’s and former first lady Michelle Obama’s Higher Ground productions. Obama has previously said Bayard Rustin “was denied” his place in history because he was openly gay. Now thanks to the Netflix film, Rustin’s story has reached audiences around the globe.
The AAFCA awards recognize outstanding achievement in film and were voted on by the group’s 100-plus members.
Comedian Roy Wood Jr hosted the ceremony, which included a dinner and cocktail reception.
The full list of winners at the 15th Annual AAFCA Awards include: Best Drama — “Origin,” Best Comedy — “American Fiction,” Best Musical — “The Color Purple,” Best Director — Ava DuVernay for “Origin,” Best Screenplay — “American Fiction” Best Actor — Colman Domingo for “Rustin,” Best Actress — Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor for “Origin,” Best Supporting Actor — Sterling K. Brown for “American Fiction,” Best Supporting Actress — a tie between Da’Vine Joy Randolph for “The Holdovers,” and Danielle Brooks for “The Color Purple,”
Best Ensemble — “The Color Purple,” Breakout Performance — Lily Gladstone for “Killers of the Flower Moon,”
Emerging Filmmaker — Cord Jefferson for “American Fiction,” Best Independent Feature — “A Thousand and One,” Best Animated Feature — “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,” Best Documentary — “Stamped From The Beginning,” Best Music — “The Color Purple,” Best International Film — “Io Capitano” and Best Short Film — “The After.”
