The African American Film Critics Association has announced its honorees for the 16th annual AAFCA Awards and the 2025 AAFCA Special Achievement Awards. The two distinct ceremonies will honor the best cinematic achievements from the Black community in 2024, with “Nickel Boys” and “The Piano Lesson” leading the pack.

"Nickel Boys," director RaMell Ross' dramatic adaptation of the Colson Whitehead novel about a brutal reform school for teenage boys in Florida, won three of the eight honorary awards announced by the African American Film Critics Association on Wednesday.

This year marked the first televised Gotham Awards, while the category of Best Director was introduced. Zendaya, who would be presented with the Spotlight Tribute for her role in “Challengers,” weaved between tables just as the ceremony began,