AAFCA Names ‘Straight Outta Compton’ Top Film

The African-American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) has named F. Gary Gray’s ‘Straight Outta Compton’ top film of 2015. The smash hit chronicled the rise of iconic hip-hop supergroup N.W.A.  The Universal Pictures film earned multiple awards for Best Picture, Best Ensemble and Best Supporting Actor for Jason Mitchell, who portrayed the group’s founder, Eazy E.

Awards were also given to Creed in the category of Best Director for Ryan Coogler; Michael B. Jordan for Breakout Performance and Tessa Thompson for Best Supporting Actress. The top acting honors went to Will Smith and Teyonah Parris for their roles in Concussion and Chi-Raq.

“Our members found an interesting theme in many of the films released this year, giving a voice to communities who have generally been underserved and marginalized in society,” says AAFCA president Gil Robertson. “With movies like Straight Outta Compton, Chi-Raq, 3 1/2 Minutes and Dope, filmmakers brought to life many storylines that are a reflection of what’s happening in our world today, including the #BlackLivesMatter movement. Pictures like Carol and The Danish Girl, give voice to another community that is too often ridiculed and ignored by the status-quo. With Creed, the members of AAFCA found an opportunity to celebrate a film with “a” universal message of hope, honor and perseverance, something that everyone can embrace. Overall, it was a transformative year in cinema.”

The following is a complete list of the 2015 AAFCA Award winners:

Best Picture: “Straight Outta Compton” (Universal Pictures)

Best Director: Ryan Coogler –“Creed”  (Warner Bros.)

Best Ensemble: “Straight Outta Compton” (Universal Pictures)

Best Actor: Will Smith “Concussion” (Sony)

Best Actress: Teyonah Parris “Chi-Raq” (Roadside Attractions)

Best Supporting Actor: Jason Mitchell “Straight Outta Compton” (Universal Pictures)

Best Supporting Actress: Tessa Thompson “Creed” (Warner Bros.)

Best Independent Film: “Chi-Raq” (Roadside Attractions)

Best Screenplay:  Rick Famuyiwa, “Dope” (Open Road Films)

Breakout Performance: Michael B. Jordan “Creed” (Warner Bros.)

Best Animation: “The Peanuts Movie” (20^th Century Fox)

Best Documentary: “A Ballerina’s Tale” (Sundance Selects)

Best Song: “See You Again” Furious 7 (Atlantic Records)

Best TV Comedy: “Black-ish” (ABC)

Best TV Drama: “How to Get Away with Murder” (ABC)

Best Cable/New Media TV Show: “Survivor’s Remorse” (Starz)

AAFCA Top Ten Films of 2015 are as follows in order of distinction:

1. Straight Outta Compton (Universal Pictures)
2. Creed (Warner Bros.)
3. Mad Max: Fury Road (Warner Bros.)
4. Beasts of No Nation (Netflix) 
5. 5. The Martian (20^th Century Fox)
6. 6. 3-1/2 Minutes/Dope (HBO/Open Road Films)
7. Chi-Raq (Roadside Attractions)
8. Carol  (Weinstein Co.)
9. The Big Short (Paramount Pictures)
10. 10. The Danish Girl (Focus Features)

AAFCA’s Special Achievement honors will be awarded to Codeblack Entertainment CEO, Jeff Clanagan; director John Singleton; Maverick Carter and LeBron James’ SpringHill Entertainment. New York Times film critic, Manohla Dargis will receive the organization’s Roger Ebert Award and HBO will receive the group’s Cinema Vanguard Award.

AAFCA will hold its 7^th annual awards ceremony on Wednesday, February 10, 2016 at the Taglyan Complex in Hollywood, CA.

This post was curated by Nsenga K. Burton, founder & editor-in-chief of The Burton Wire. Follow her on Twitter @Ntellectual.

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