‘Nickel Boys’ and ‘The Piano Lesson’ Lead the 2025 AAFCA Awards

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.

Held on Sunday, February 2 at the Los Angeles Athletic Club, the Special Achievement Awards will honor RaMell Ross’ “Nickel Boys” with the Karen & Stanley Kramer Social Justice Award, while stars Brandon Wilson and Ethan Herisse are set to receive the Gen Next Award. Amber Rasberry, who oversaw the film as a senior creative executive at Amazon MGM, will also be honored with the Horizon Award.

Seventeen days later, the AAFCA Awards will keep the love for “Nickel Boys” rolling when Ross receives the Spotlight Award. “The Piano Lesson” director Malcolm Washington will also receive the Emerging Director Award while his star Ray Fischer is honored with the Breakout Performance Award. That ceremony will take place on February 19 at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel.

“Our honorees set a high standard of discipline, talent, and hard work that inspires others to strive for greatness,” AAFCA president and co-founder Gil Robertson said in a statement. “In our present environment, it becomes more important than ever to acknowledge the examples that they’ve set. Their contributions reflect a level of excellence that propels our industry forward.”

Keep reading for a complete list of honorees, with language provided by the AAFCA.

NICOLE AVANT –  BEACON AWARD

Producer and political activist, Nicole Avant, will receive the Beacon Award for producing,  “The Six Triple Eight,” about the first all-black female battalion to serve overseas during World War II, and “The Black Godfather,” a documentary about the legacy of her dad, Clarence Avant–a legendary music executive, entrepreneur, and filmmaker.

MALCOLM WASHINGTON – EMERGING DIRECTOR AWARD

Malcolm Washington is being honored with The Emerging Director Award for his debut feature film, “The Piano Lesson.” This adaptation of August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play explores the complex legacies and generational conflicts that shape American families.

RAY FISHER – BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE AWARD

Actor Ray Fisher will be honored with the Breakout Performance Award for his portrayal of Lymon in “The Piano Lesson.”  Fisher’s growing resume as an actor includes his role as Cyborg in the DC Extended Universe. 

PLAN B ENTERTAINMENT – CINEMA VANGUARD AWARD

Plan B Entertainment will receive the Cinema Vanguard Award for its commitment to creating a platform for stories that chronicle the African American experience. Films under the Plan B banner include Oscar winners, “Moonlight” and “12 Years a Slave,” plus current titles, “One Love” and “Nickel Boys.”

RaMELL ROSS – SPOTLIGHT AWARD

Filmmaker RaMell Ross will receive the Spotlight Award for his visionary work as the director and co-screenwriter on “Nickel Boys.”

LYNN WHITFIELD – LEGACY AWARD

Lynn Whitfield’s legacy as an actress is built on iconic performances that span genres and generations. From “Josephine Baker” to “Eve’s Bayou,” and now, “Albany Road,” Whitfield has solidified her place as one of the most respected actresses of her generation. 

BRANDON WILSON & ETHAN HERISSE – GEN NEXT AWARD

With their roles in “Nickel Boys,” Brandon Wilson and Ethan Herisse demonstrate exceptional promise and creativity in their craft.

KAREN & STANLEY KRAMER SOCIAL JUSTICE AWARD – “NICKEL BOYS” 

The feature film “Nickel Boys” will receive the Karen & Stanley Kramer Social Justice Award for spotlighting the abuse heaped upon generations of boys at the Dozier School for Boys. Based on Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, the film chronicles the journey of two young African American men as they navigate the brutal realities of racism at the notorious Florida reform school.

AMBER RASBERRY – HORIZON AWARD

Amazon MGM Studios executive Amber Rasberry will receive the Horizon Award for her outstanding contributions to elevating Black stories in film. Throughout her career, Amber has been instrumental in championing projects that center on Black narratives.

PAUL TAZEWELL – INNOVATOR AWARD

“Wicked” costume designer Paul Tazewell will receive the Innovator Award for his visionary work.