Each year the African-American Film Critics Association names its choices for the best faces in front of and behind the camera. This year, Denzel Washington has received one of the highest honors as Best Actor for his role as Whip Whitaker in Flight.
Alongside Washington, Emayatzy Corinealdi earned the Best Actress award for her work in Middle of Nowhere. The Ava DuVernay film was also was voted Best Screenplay and Best Independent Film.
“The selections made this year reflect the refreshing abundance of both studio and independent work that provided a stellar array of roles for both veteran actors and new faces,” said Gil Robertson IV, AAFCA’s president and founder.
Other honorees include Quvenzhané Wallis for Best Breakout Performance in Beasts of the Southern Wild, Nate Parker for Best Supporting Actor in Arbitrage and Zero Dark Thirty for the Best Picture.
The Special Achievement Awards for career achievement are being awarded to Billy Dee Williams, Cicely Tyson, Clint Culpepper and Rainforest Films.
This year’s winners will be honored during a private ceremony on February 8 in Hollywood.