A sterling lineup of stars and filmmakers have been set to be honored at the Critics Choice Association’s seventh annual Celebration of Black Cinema & Television, which is set for December 9 at the Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles.
Among those being recognized are stars of 2024’s most acclaimed and anticipated films including Regina King, John David Washington, Cynthia Erivo, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Jharrel Jerome and The Fire Inside breakout Ryan Destiny. On the TV side, honorees include Natasha Rockwell, Wendell Pierce and Michael Rainey Jr. Filmmakers Steve McQueen and Malcolm D. Lee among other luminaries will also be receiving awards.
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As previously announced, actor and filmmaker Tyler Perry will be honored with the Icon Award for his body of work and achievements throughout the years. The writer, director and producer of Netflix’s upcoming The Six Triple Eight, Perry has helmed 24 feature films, 20 stage plays, 17 TV shows and penned two New York Times bestselling books, in addition to establishing the Tyler Perry Studios home base in Atlanta.
Lee will be recognized with the Career Achievement Award for his work as a writer and director, with 11 feature films to his credit including Girls Trip, Space Jam: A New Legacy and Undercover Brother, along with numerous TV projects. This year notably marks the 25th anniversary of Lee’s debut film The Best Man, which opened as the No. 1 film at the box office and launched a film and TV franchise.
King will receive the Trailblazer Award for her career, including her recent work on Netflix’s Shirley, the inspiring biopic following the first Black congresswoman, Shirley Chisholm, and her historic 1972 presidential campaign.
Ellis-Taylor will be honored with the Social Impact Award for her advocacy for social justice both off-screen as the founder and CEO of Miss Myrtis Films and co-founder of Take it Down America, and on-screen in Orion Pictures/Amazon MGM Studios’ Nickel Boys which recently earned three nominations, including Best Feature, at the Gotham Awards. Ellis-Taylor’s credits also include When They See Us, If Beale Street Could Talk, King Richard and Origin.
The Director Award will be given to McQueen for his work on Apple Original Films’ Blitz, which opened the BFI London Film Festival, only steps away from where bombs were dropped during the Blitz in 1940. Additionally, the film closed the New York Film Festival.
The Producer Award will be bestowed upon Emmy-nominated actress and producer Rothwell for her work on Hulu’s How to Die Alone. She has previously received two Emmy nominations, in addition to four NAACP Image Award noms with one win. Starz will honor Rothwell with a special Starz #TakeTheLead designation as part of its ongoing commitment to amplifying narratives by, about, and for women and underrepresented audiences.
Directors Angela Patton and Natalie Rae will accept the Documentary Award on behalf of Netflix’s Daughters. The docu took home the Audience Award – U.S. Documentary, and the Festival Favorite Award, at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival.
Oscar winner and Emmy and Grammy nominee Kris Bowers will be honored with the Composer Award for his work on DreamWorks Animation’s The Wild Robot, which is Bowers’ first venture into the world of animation.
Erivo, and Emmy , Grammy, Tony and Oscar nominee, will receive the Actress Award – Film for her performance in Universal’s long-anticipated film adaptation of Wicked.
Washington will accept the Actor Award – Film for his work in Netflix’s The Piano Lesson, which he also played on Broadway. The film made its international premiere at the Toronto Film Festival this year.
Pierce will be given the Actor Award – Series for his work in CBS’ Elsbeth. Season 2 of the series premiered in October.
The Breakthrough Actor Award will recognize Jerome for his performance in Amazon MGM Studios’ Unstoppable. He previously won an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie in When They See Us, as well as a Critics Choice Award for Best Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television.
Actress-musician Destiny will receive the Rising Star Award – Film for her breakout lead performance in Amazon MGM Studios’ The Fire Inside, set for Christmas release after debuting at the Toronto Film Festival.
Rainey will be honored with the Rising Star Award – Series for his performance in Starz’s Power Book II: Ghost. The fourth and final season of the series aired this year, marking a decade of Rainey Jr. playing the character of Tariq St. Patrick in the Power franchise.
“We are proud to recognize this year’s outstanding group of honorees,” CCA board member Shawn Edwards said Thursday in announcing the slate of honorees. “2024 was an exceptional year. There were so many great stories about the Black experience, and this event is a celebration of the power of those stories which have shaped and moved the entertainment industry. It’s a true acknowledgment of the profound impact of Black Cinema and Television on today’s culture and society.”
Edwards will serve as the executive producer and writer for the Celebration of Black Cinema & Television. Jay Pharoah, known for his work on Saturday Night Live and his recent comedy special Jared, will host this year’s event, which highlights standout performances and work from the black entertainment community.
Starz will serve as the official media partner and the awards show will be shown exclusively on its streaming platform during the month of January. The show will then be televised on KTLA-Los Angles and select Nexstar stations through the month of February in honor of Black History Month.
The Critics Choice Association’s Celebration of Black Cinema & Television will be produced by Madelyn Hammond and Javier Infante of Madelyn Hammond & Associates.
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