Celebrities and executives across the entertainment industry spectrum of film, television and new media converged at the Taglvan Complex in Hollywood last night for the 6th Annual African American Critics Association (AFFCA) Awards Ceremony. Celebrating the best in directing, screenwriting, acting and producing; AFFCA Awards attendees included Ava DuVernay (Director, Selma), Oprah Winfrey, Alfre Woodard, Tyler Perry, Kathryn Bigelow and Amy Pascal (Co-Chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment).
"We are so pleased that people have come away from watching Selma in tears,"said Oprah Winfrey in her triumphant acceptance speech for the film's Best Film win. "We're honored to receive this award from AAFCA. We won best picture!"
"I have to thank my African-American sister, (Ava DuVernay) who told me that I could play the role of Martin Luther King Jr. when I didn't believe I could do it," said David Oyelowo in his acceptance speech as Best Actor in Selma. "And my African-American mother (Oprah Winfrey)…..who after a day of shooting told me get off the phone and go to bed. There is so much LOVE here."
The energy of family and love was contagious in the standing-room-only kudos-fest, as attendees hugged and reconnected. J.K. Simmons noted how much he looked forward to meeting Tyler Perry and joked in his acceptance speech for Best Supporting actor, "Are you sure this wasn't a clerical error?"
"I couldn't be more thrilled by the opportunity to honor some of the years best performances, some of which have not been recognized by other major award shows," said Robertson. "The prevailing feeling in the room of gratitude, celebration and kinship of all in attendance will be looked at as a significant high point of this year's award season."
The African-American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) actively reviews cinema at-large, with a particular emphasis on films which include the Black experience. The organization creates a platform for movies with universal appeal to the African-American community, while highlighting films produced, written, directed and starring, persons from the African Diaspora. Our members are also involved in our advocacy work that includes programming for students interested in film criticism and journalism. http://aafca.com/