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The African-American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) is the world's largest group of Black
film critics Film criticism is the analysis and evaluation of films and the film medium. In general, film criticism can be divided into two categories: journalistic criticism that appears regularly in newspapers, magazines and other popular mass-media outlets ...
that gives various annual awards for excellence in film and television. It was founded in 2003 in New York City.


History

The association was founded in 2003 by Gil L. Robertson IV and Shawn Edwards. They met in New York City after a press junket, and were both concerned with the lack of themed stories in the film industry from the African Diaspora. In several weeks, the two of them were supported by other colleagues in their plan to create an association of black film critics. They drafted the initial outline for the association while in Los Angeles. In December 2003, the African-American Film Critics Association officially announced the start of its organization, and released its first "Top Ten List." In 2019, the association began giving awards to television shows in the spring. AAFCA also joined with the
Asian American Journalists Association The Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit educational and professional organization based in San Francisco, California with more than 1,500 members and 21 chapters across the United States and Asia. The current presi ...
(AAJA), GALECA: The Society of LGBTQ Entertainment Critics, the Latino Entertainment Journalists Association (LEJA), and the Online Association of Female Film Critics (OAFFC) to form the Critics Groups for Equality in Media to "help foster greater diversity in entertainment journalism" through various initiatives including a "watchdog" grading system.


Mission

The association actively reviews cinema overall, but highlights films about the African-American experience. The AAFCA produces awareness for films with widespread appeal to the black community while stressing the importance of films produced, written, directed and starring people of African descent. Members also involve themselves in advocacy work for students interested in film journalism and criticism. The organization gives out awards for a variety of categories. Best Feature Film, Best Documentary, Best Actress, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Director, Best Foreign Film, Best Screenplay, and Best Original Song. The AAFC also gives out an award for Special Achievement which has been received by Jamie Foxx, John Singleton, as well as Spike Lee.


Membership

Members of AAFCA are a geographically diverse range of journalists who cover every genre of film and represent numerous mediums such as television, radio broadcast, online, and print. Membership into the AAFCA is by invitation only, with approval of the Board of Governors. There are three classifications for membership in the AAFCA; active member, associate member, and student. An active member is one who writes regular film criticism for a medium with a minimum of 24 to qualify and must be based in the United States. Once accepted the active member must have a constant presence in the critique of commercial American films. An associate member is one who writes regular film coverage for a medium and must express their affiliation with an established media body by providing a written letter on company letterhead. Finally, a minimum of twelve samples of film critique is needed for consideration. A student member is one who is attending an accredited college or university and is majoring in journalism or broadcast media.


Special programs

Panel discussions led by an AAFCA member are also offered by the association. One such panel is about the concept of diversity in modern films. It accentuates an understanding that each individual is special and different. The differences may run along lines of race, ethnicity, gender socio-economic status, physical abilities, sexual orientation, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political beliefs, or other ideologies. The panel explores the role cinema plays in understanding one another and to go beyond a simplistic message of tolerance to one of celebrating and acceptance of the plentiful dimensions of diversity in every person. Another panel entitled "What Every Filmmaker Needs to Know about Film Critics", explores the important areas filmmakers must know when making a film. Film critics influence the success and failure of a film through their reviews so this panel attempts to help new filmmakers. It discusses the significance of plot lines and story narrative in films, the deliberations that must go into casting a film, and the crucial technical and imaginative elements filmmakers should reflect on before presenting their work to the public. The final program offered by the AAFCA is the Junior Critic Program. Working with the
historically black colleges and universities Historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) are institutions of higher education in the United States that were established before the Civil Rights Act of 1964 with the intention of primarily serving the African-American community. ...
, the AAFCA selects four journalism students who demonstrate a talent and/or interest in film to cover a film promotional event as a working journalist. The selection process for the students is based on academic or department recommendations and an interview with an AAFCA member. The representative chaperones the selected student for the media event and then provides assistance with the final report. In 2017, the AAFCA produced a series of screenings and panels honoring the late
Prince A prince is a male ruler (ranked below a king, grand prince, and grand duke) or a male member of a monarch's or former monarch's family. ''Prince'' is also a title of nobility (often highest), often hereditary, in some European states. ...
at libraries and museums in Kansas City, Denver, Atlanta and Broward County, Florida.


Scandal

In 2009, the big winner at the African American Film Critics Association was '' Precious: Based on the Novel "Push" by Sapphire''. The adaption won best picture, best director, best screenplay, and best supporting actress. The film's star,
Gabourey Sidibe Gabourey Sidibe ( ; born May 6, 1983) is an American actress. She made her acting debut in the 2009 film '' Precious'', a role that earned her the Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead, in addition to nominations for the Golden Globe an ...
, did not win best actress, in favor of Nicole Beharie from ''
American Violet ''American Violet'' is a 2008 American drama film directed by Tim Disney and starring Nicole Beharie. The story is based on Regina Kelly, a victim of Texas police drug enforcement tactics. Plot Set in the midst of the 2000 presidential election, ...
''. After the awards, gossip blogger Roger Friedman of
The Hollywood Reporter ''The Hollywood Reporter'' (''THR'') is an American digital and print magazine which focuses on the Hollywood film, television, and entertainment industries. It was founded in 1930 as a daily trade paper, and in 2010 switched to a weekly large ...
reported the tally had been manipulated by the group's president,
Gil Robertson IV Gil Robertson IV (born August 13, 1964, in Los Angeles, California) is an African-American journalist and author. He is president of the African American Film Critics Association. Early life and education Robertson attended South Park Elementary ...
. Friedman posed that Robertson was to receive a bribe in the form of a donation from the producers affiliated with American Violet. The issue sparked infighting among the group leading to a splintering. Three founding members of the AAFCA—Shawn Edwards of FOX-TV, Wilson Morales of Blackfilm.com/AOL Blackvoices, and Mike Sargent WBAI-FM/Tor.com—withdrew and created a new group, the Black Film Critics Circle. The new group includes five other former AAFCA members and officially debuted in February 2010. In the founding announcement, the Black Film Critics Circle made known that they were going to "maintain the integrity of a true critics organization". In a statement released December 28, 2009, and signed by 15 of the group's members, Robertson denied all accusations related to ballot tampering, and wished any group wanting to further black film appreciation the best. The only evidence to the controversy on the AAFCA website is the inclusion that "Effective January 1, 2010, final tabulations for all AAFCA Award categories will be handled by Beverly Hills accountant W. Steven Temple"


Executive team

* Gil L. Robertson IV – President * Daryle Lockhart – Vice President, East Coast * Kathy Williamson – Vice President, West Coast * Etienne Maurice - Creative Executive


Advisory board

* Russell Williams – Oscar winner; Professor, American University; Co-founder * Darrell Miller – Fox, Rothschilds, LLP *
Latanya Richardson LaTanya Richardson Jackson ( Richardson; born October 21, 1949) is an American actress. She began her career appearing in off-Broadway productions, before playing supporting roles on television and film. Richardson has appeared in films includi ...
– Actress, Philanthropist * W. Stephen Temple – President of Business Affairs Mgmt., Inc *
Ava Duvernay Ava Marie DuVernay (; born August 24, 1972) is an American filmmaker, television producer and former film publicist. She is a recipient of a Primetime Emmy Award, a NAACP Image Award, a BAFTA Film Award and a BAFTA TV Award, as well as a nominee ...
– Filmmaker; President of DVA Media & Marketing * Vicangelo Bullock – President of NAACP – Beverly Hills/Hollywood * Asante Bradford – Georgia Film, Music, & Digital Entertainment


Best Picture


Awards

* African-American Film Critics Association Awards 2003 * African-American Film Critics Association Awards 2004 * African-American Film Critics Association Awards 2005 * African-American Film Critics Association Awards 2006 * African-American Film Critics Association Awards 2007 * African-American Film Critics Association Awards 2008 * African-American Film Critics Association Awards 2009 *
African-American Film Critics Association Awards 2010 Winners for the 2010 African-American Film Critics Association. Best Picture Winner: The Social Network Top 10 Pictures: #The Social Network #The King's Speech #Inception #Black Swan #Night Catches Us #The Fighter ''The Fighter'' is a 201 ...
* African-American Film Critics Association Awards 2011 * African-American Film Critics Association Awards 2012 * African-American Film Critics Association Awards 2013 *
African-American Film Critics Association Awards 2014 Below are the winners for the 2014 African-American film Critics Associations. Winners *Best Picture: # '' Selma'' (Winner) # ''The Imitation Game'' # ''Theory of Everything'' # '' Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)'' # '' Belle'' # ' ...
* African-American Film Critics Association Awards 2015 * African-American Film Critics Association Awards 2016 * African-American Film Critics Association Awards 2017


References


Works cited

*Barboza, Craigh. John Singleton: Interviews. Jackson: U.P. of Mississippi, 2009.


External links

* {{American film critic org American film critics associations African-American cinema Journalism-related professional associations Organizations established in 2003