2024 African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) Awards: ‘Nickel Boys,’ ‘The Piano Lesson, ‘Sing Sing’ Triumph

The African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) today announced the winners of its 16th annual AAFCA Awards, recognizing outstanding contributions to cinema, along with its selections for the top ten films of the year.

Nickel Boys, from director RaMell Ross, was named the Best Film of 2024 with Ross also earning the Best Director award. Sing Sing came in at #2 but won big with awards for Colman Domingo as Best Actor, Clarence Maclin as Best Supporting Actor and for Best Screenplay.

Marianne Jean-Baptiste (Hard Truths) and Danielle Deadwyler (The Piano Lesson) were the lead and supporting actress winners and The Piano Lesson also nabbed the Best Ensemble win.

Winners will be celebrated at the 16th Annual AAFCA Awards on February 19 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills.  The announcement was made by AAFCA president and co-founder Gil Robertson.  “This has been a defining year for cinema, with an impressive array of stories that capture the complexity, resilience, and beauty of the human experience,” said AAFCA president and co-founder Gil Robertson. “We are proud to honor this year’s filmmakers and talent, whose work continues to expand the scope of humanity on screen. These films do more than entertain—they amplify voices and perspectives that deserve to be heard, and we look forward to celebrating their lasting impact.”

AAFCA’s Top 10 Films list and the winners of the 16th Annual AAFCA Awards are:

AAFCA’S TOP 10 FILMS OF THE YEAR

1. Nickel Boys

2. Sing Sing 

3. The Piano Lesson 

4. Gladiator II

5. Wicked 

6. Emilia Pérez

7. Albany Road 

8. The Fire Inside 

9. Exhibiting Forgiveness 

10. Dahomey  

WINNERS | 16TH ANNUAL AAFCA AWARDS

Best Actor: Colman Domingo (Sing Sing) 

Best Actress: Marianne Jean-Baptiste (Hard Truths) 

Best Supporting Actor: Clarence Maclin (Sing Sing) 

Best Supporting Actress: Danielle Deadwyler (The Piano Lesson) 

Best Ensemble: The Piano Lesson 

Best Original Score: The Wild Robot (Kris Bowers) 

Best Original Song: Bricks, Exhibiting Forgiveness (Andra Day, Cassandra Batie & Jherek Bischoff) 

Best Screenplay: Sing Sing (Clint Bentley, Greg Kwedar) 

Best Director: RaMell Ross (Nickel Boys)   

Best Documentary: *TIE* Daughters (Netflix), Dahomey (MUBI) 

Best Animated Feature: The Wild Robot 

Best International Film: Emilia Pérez 

Best Independent Feature: She Taught Love 

Best Picture: Nickel Boys 

Winners were selected by AAFCA’s more than 100+ members and will be celebrated at this year’s ceremony, alongside the previously announced honorees, including:

• Nicole Avant, Beacon Award
• Malcolm Washington, Emerging Director Award
• Ray Fisher, Breakout Performance Award
• RaMell Ross, Spotlight Award
• Paul Tazewell, Innovator Award