2016 was 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.

From movies, documentaries and TV shows about the black experience were in abundance in 2016, and it was noticed the AAFCA. The 8th annual awards ceremony took place on Wednesday, February 8, 2017 at the Taglyan Complex in Hollywood, CA. We have all the details and who one Best Movie…

We had our finger crossed for Moonlight and we were right, the award for best movie, director, supporting actor, breakout performance, and independent film all when to Moonlight.

CelebNMovies247.com first wants to thank director Barry Jenkins for such and extraordinary film definitive of our time. We are so proud of Moonlight.

Those in attendance at the AAFCA Awards included host Nischelle Turner, Janelle Monae (Breakout Star Award Recipient), Barry Jenkins (Moonlight Director) Lee Daniels (Vanguard Award Recipient), John Singleton, Queen Sugar Cast (Dawn Lyen-Gardner, Timon Kyle Durrett, Omar J. Dorsey, Tina Lifford, Dondre Whitfield), Sanaa Lathan (Shots Fired), Alano Miller (Underground), DeWanda Wise (Shots Fired), director Anthony Hemingway (Underground Director), Sheryl Lee Ralph, Jovan Adepo (Fences), Joe Morton (Scandal), Tommy Davidson, Anna Marie Horsford, Demetrius Shipp Jr. (All Eyez On Me), Laz Alonso, Wendy Raquel Robinson (The Game), Aisha Hinds (Underground), Misha Green (Underground Creator), Salli Richardson-Whitfield, Eva Marcille, Rhyon Nicole (Surviving Compton), Marcus Scribner (Black-ish), Kendrick Sampson (How To Get Away With Murder), Neil Brown Jr. (Insecure), Lou Diamond Phillips, Karen Sharpe, Kat Kramer (Miss Golden Globe) and more.

AAFCA Awards Co-founder Shawn Edwards, says:

“Our members had a plethora of outstanding movies, documentaries and TV shows to choose from this year. 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 last 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/actress Janelle Monae for Best 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 Awards President and Co-founder, Gil Robertson says:

“2016 provided our membership with many great films to choose from. 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 (20TH Century Fox)
BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE 2017 – Janelle Monae for MOONLIGHT AND HIDDEN FIGURES
BEST INDEPENEDENT FILM: “MOONLIGHT” (A24)
BEST ANIMATION FILM; ZOOTOPIA (Disney)
BEST SONG – “VICTORY” from HIDDEN FIGURES (20th 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 America
BEST TV SHOW (Special/Limited Series) – LEMONADE – HBO

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

1. MOONLIGHT – A24

2. FENCES – Paramount

3. HIDDEN FIGURES – 20th 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 – Amazon Studios / Roadside Attractions

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 America

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