African American Film Critics Name Moonlight Top Film of 2016

AFRICAN AMERICAN FILM CRITICS ASSOCIATION NAMES MOONLIGHT THE�TOP FILM OF HISTORIC 2016

QUEEN SUGAR NAMED THE TOP TV SHOW

Denzel Washington, Ruth Negga, Mahershala Ali and Viola Davis Receive Acting Wins from the Nation’s Premiere Black Critics Group

Ava DuVarney’s 13th�and Beyonce’s Lemonade�also take key honors

AWARDS GALA WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE TAGLYAN COMPLEX IN LOS ANGELES FEBRUARY 8th AT 9PM�ET/ 6 PM�PT

Los Angeles, CA (December 13, 2016) � Movies, documentaries and TV shows about the black experience were in abundance in 2016 making it a truly historic year in terms of the number of movies, documentaries and TV shows released and number of blacks represented in front and behind the camera

“Our members had a plethora of outstanding movies, documentaries and TV shows to choose from this year,”�says AAFCA�Co-founder Shawn Edwards. “It�was an exceptional year in terms of the quantity and quality of films about the black experience. And while this by no means solves the diversity issue in the film industry it was definitely refreshing to have such a wide-range of exceptional work to choose from to honor and celebrate with our approval.”

There were several movies released this year that are considered masterpieces. However, it was “Moonlight” that dominated this year’s voting for the 8th�AAFCA Awards. The independent film which chronicles the life of a young black man from childhood to adulthood as he struggles to find his place in the world while growing up in a rough neighborhood of Miami completely resonated with the majority of the members of the association. The A24 Pictures film earned multiple awards including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Ensemble and Best Supporting Actor.�Awards were also given to singer Janelle Monae for Breakout�Performance. She delivered star-making performances this year in both “Moonlight” and “Hidden Figures.” The top acting honors went to Denzel Washington and Ruth Negga for their roles in Fences and Loving. AAFCA will hold its 8th�annual awards ceremony�on Thursday, February 9, 2017�at the Taglyan Complex in Hollywood, CA.

“2016 provided our membership with many great films to choose from,” says AAFCA President and Co-founder, Gil Robertson. “Every movie and TV show on our Top 10 Lists could have easily been number one. The number of incredible performances by black actors and actresses added to a very competitive field of performances and represents a step towards inclusion that our membership warmly embraces. We look forward to what 2017 has in store.”

The following is a complete list of 2016�AAFCA Awards winners.�

FILM

BEST PICTURE : MOONLIGHT � (A24)

BEST DIRECTOR: BARRY JENKINS, MOONLIGHT � (A24)

BEST ACTOR: DENZEL WASHINGTON, FENCES� (Paramount)

BEST ACTRESS: RUTH NEGA, LOVING � (Focus Features)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: MAHERSHALA ALI, MOONLIGHT � (A24)

BEST ENSEMBLE: THE Cast of HIDDEN FIGURES (20^TH Century Fox)

BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE 2017 � Janelle Monae for MOONLIGHT AND HIDDEN FIGURES

BEST INDEPENDENT FILM: “MOONLIGHT” (A24)

BEST ANIMATION FILM; ZOOTOPIA (Disney)

BEST SONG � “VICTORY” from HIDDEN FIGURES (20^th Century Fox)

BEST DOCUMENTARY � 13 (Netflix)

BEST FOREIGN FILM � TANNA (Lightyear Entertainment)

BEST SCREENPLAY � AUGUST WILSON, FENCES � (Paramount)

TV

BEST TV SHOW (Drama) � QUEEN SUGAR � OWN

BEST TV SHOW (Comedy) � ATLANTA � FX

BEST TV SHOW (CABLE/NEW MEDIA � UNDERGROUND � WGN

BEST TV SHOW (Special/Limited Series) � LEMONADE � HBO��

AAFCA Top Ten Films of 2016 are as follows in order of distinction

1. MOONLIGHT � A24
2. FENCES � Paramount
3. HIDDEN FIGURES � 20^th Century Fox
4. LION � The Weinstein Company
5. LALA LAND � Lionsgate
6. BIRTH OF A NATION � Fox Searchlight
7. LOVING � Focus Features
8. MANCHESTER BY THE SEA
9. HELL OR HIGH WATER � CBS Films
10. QUEEN OF KATWE � Disney

AAFCA Top Ten�TV shows�of 2016 are as follows in order of distinction:

1. QUEEN SUGAR � OWN
2. UNDERGROUND � WGN
3. ATLANTA – FX
4. INSECURE – HBO
5. LUKE CAGE � NETFLIX
6. THIS IS US � NBC
7. BLACKISH � ABC
8. THE GET DOWN � NETFLIX
9. WESTWORLD � HBO
10. SURVIVOR’S REMORSE – STARZ