Michael B. Jordan, Tessa Thompson, Ryan Coogler, and more take top honors as AAFCA celebrates the power of bold storytelling.
The African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) has officially announced the winners of its 17th Annual AAFCA Awards, and Ryan Coogler’s Sinners is the clear frontrunner of the year. With wins across major categories including Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Director, Best Writing, Best Ensemble, and Best Music the Warner Bros. powerhouse film made an indelible mark on this year’s awards season.
The ceremony will take place on February 8, 2026, at the luxurious Maybourne Beverly Hills in Beverly Hills, California, where the year’s most impactful voices in film will be celebrated.
AAFCA president and co-founder Gil Robertson emphasized the importance of this year’s honorees in the official announcement:
“The cinematic voices recognized this year remind us of the power of film to challenge, inspire, and unite. From bold new visions to unforgettable performances, these winners represent storytellers who are pushing the art form forward while speaking to the moment we are living in.”
Sinners Sweeps the Major Categories
Ryan Coogler’s Sinners proved to be the night’s biggest success story. Michael B. Jordan took home Best Actor, while Wunmi Mosaku earned Best Supporting Actress for her acclaimed performance. Coogler also secured both Best Director and Best Writing, reinforcing his continued dominance as one of the most influential filmmakers of his generation.
Adding to the film’s triumph, newcomer Miles Caton received Emerging Face (Actor), and legendary composer Ludwig Göransson won Best Music, further solidifying Sinners as a cultural and cinematic force.
Beyond Sinners, the AAFCA also recognized exceptional talent across genres:
- Tessa Thompson was awarded Best Actress for her work in Hedda (Amazon MGM).
- Damson Idris won Best Supporting Actor for his role in the adrenaline-fueled F1 (Apple/Warner Bros.).
- Netflix took home major animation honors with Best Animated Feature going to KPop Demon Hunters.
- Documentary honors went to The Perfect Neighbor (Best Documentary) and Hoops, Hopes & Dreams (Best Documentary Short).
AAFCA’s Top 10 Films of the Year
This year’s Top 10 list highlights the range and depth of modern filmmaking:
- Sinners (Warner Bros.)
- One Battle After Another (Warner Bros.)
- Hedda (Amazon MGM)
- Frankenstein (Netflix)
- Hamnet (Focus Features)
- Wicked: For Good (Universal Pictures)
- F1 (Apple/Warner Bros.)
- One of Them Days (Sony Pictures Releasing)
- The Knife (Relativity Media)
- The Smashing Machine (A24)
With more than 100 AAFCA members selecting this year’s winners, the awards continue to reflect a collective commitment to celebrating Black excellence and diverse storytelling across the global film landscape. Additional special achievement honorees will be announced at a later date.
As awards season continues to unfold, Sinners has clearly emerged as one of the year’s most celebrated and influential films setting a high bar for the rest of the industry.
