Black Film Critics Circle Winner: “American Fiction” Receives Top Honors

EXCLUSIVE: The Black Film Critics Circle voted Wednesday American fiction It is the best film of 2023, with Jeffery Wright winning best actor and Cord Jefferson winning best director. OriginAunjanue Ellie-Taylor was named best actress.

The announcement was made by Mike Sargent, co-chairman of the BFCC, after votes were cast and tabulated at the organization’s annual meeting earlier this week in New York.

The BFCC recognized achievements in the film sector and presented awards in 13 categories. Special Signature Awards will also be presented to industry pioneers and rising stars.

“There are certain stories that we live by as individuals, as families, as cultures, and these are the stories that define us. The second half of the late 20th century, the third golden age of black cinema, saw a ghettoization of black cinema. There was a limit to the kind of stories we could tell,” Sargent said. “Now we not only have a variety of different genres and stories, from historical to speculative fiction, but also a record number of new film directors. So these are new voices telling a wide variety of stories.”

BFCC co-president Wilson Morales added: New film directors like AV Rockwell are directing One thousand and oneCord Jefferson, director of american fiction, and Juel Taylor, director of THello cloned Tyrone did an exceptional job. 2023 was truly a record year for Black films and filmmakers.”

Below is the full list of winners.

Best Movie – American fiction

Best Director – Cord Jefferson

Best Actor – Jeffrey Wright American fiction

Best Actress – Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Origin

Best Supporting Actor – Sterling K. Brown, American fiction

Best Supporting Actress – Danielle Brooks, The color purple

Best Original Screenplay – Past lives

Best Adapted Screenplay – (tie) Oppenheimer, American Fiction

Best Camera – Poor stuff

Best Documentary – American Symphony

Best Animation – Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

Best Ensemble – American fiction

BFCC SIGNATURE AWARDS

PIONEERS – Lisa Cortés

This year’s BFCC Pioneer Award goes to Lisa Cortés. Lisa is an Oscar-nominated and Emmy-winning producer and director. She is known for writing challenging, visionary stories and is characterized by her commitment to inclusivity and the amplification of diverse voices. Like your posts this year Little Richard: I am everything about the life and career of Little Richard, the unique rock ‘n’ roll icon who shaped the world of music, and Lisa’s enduring dedication to her craft embodies the essence of the word trailblazer.”

Rising Star/Best Newcomer – (tie) AV Rockwell and Tia Nomore

AV RockwellDirector of the film that won the Grand Jury Prize at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival One thousand and one.

And Tia Nomore for a feature film in which she made her film debut Earth Mother where, to quote BFCC member Anthony Holden (Black Cinephile) “delivers a wonderful, soul-expanding performance.”

SPECIAL MENTION – Colman Domingo

Special mention this year goes to Colman Domingo who, to quote BFCC member Harrison Martin (FLIXFROG), “is the epitome of the word ‘thespian’. Domingo is a dominant, versatile actor, whether on stage, television or screen. Domingo gave two great performances this year as openly gay civil rights activist Bayard Rustin Quiet and the charismatic but abusive Albert “Mister” Johnson The color purple (2023).”

Top ten

1. American Fiction

2. Oppenheimer

3. The color purple

4. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse

5. Origin

6. Past lives

7. Poor stuff

8th. Barbie

9. master

10. Anatomy of a fall