Unspool Hollywood

Critics’ Choice Awards: A Full List of the 2025 Winners

The 30^th Annual Critic Choice Awards took place on February 7, 2025, at the Santa Monica’s Barker Hangar and was hosted by Chelsea Handler. It was a postponed due to the Los Angeles wildfires.

See the full list below:

FILM

WINNER Best Picture: Anora

A Complete Unknown
The Brutalist
Conclave
Dune: Part Two
Emilia Pérez
Nickel Boys
Sing Sing
The Substance
Wicked

Best Actor

WINNER Best Actor: Adrien Brody – The Brutalist

Timothée Chalamet – A Complete Unknown
Daniel Craig – Queer
Colman Domingo – Sing Sing
Ralph Fiennes – Conclave
Hugh Grant – Heretic

Best Actress

WINNER Best Actress: Demi Moore – The Substance

Cynthia Erivo – Wicked
Karla Sofía Gascón – Emilia Pérez
Marianne Jean-Baptiste – Hard Truths
Angelina Jolie – Maria
Mikey Madison – Anora

Best Supporting Actor

WINNER Best Supporting Actor: Kieran Culkin – A Real Pain
Yura Borisov – Anora

Clarence Maclin – Sing Sing
Edward Norton – A Complete Unknown
Guy Pearce – The Brutalist
Denzel Washington – Gladiator II

Best Supporting Actress

WINNER Best Supporting Actress: Zoe Saldaña – Emilia Pérez

Danielle Deadwyler – The Piano Lesson
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor – Nickel Boys
Ariana Grande – Wicked
Margaret Qualley – The Substance
Isabella Rossellini – Conclave

Best Young Actor/Actress

WINNER Best Young Actress: Maisy Stella – My Old Ass

Alyla Browne – Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga
Elliott Heffernan – Blitz
Izaac Wang – Didi
Alisha Weir – Abigail
Zoe Ziegler – Janet Planet

Best Acting Ensemble

WINNER Best Acting Ensemble: Conclave

Anora
Emilia Pérez
Saturday Night
Sing Sing
Wicked

Best Director

WINNER Best Director: Jon M. Chu – Wicked

Jacques Audiard – Emilia Pérez
Sean Baker – Anora
Edward Berger – Conclave
Brady Corbet – The Brutalist
Coralie Fargeat – The Substance
RaMell Ross – Nickel Boys
Denis Villeneuve – Dune: Part Two

Best Original Screenplay

WINNER Best Original Screenplay: Coralie Fargeat –
The Substance

Sean Baker – Anora
Moritz Binder, Tim Fehlbaum, Alex David – September 5
Brady Corbet, Mona Fastvold – The Brutalist
Jesse Eisenberg – A Real Pain
Justin Kuritzkes – Challengers

Best Adapted Screenplay

WINNER Best Adapted Screenplay: Peter Straughan – Conclave

Jacques Audiard – Emilia Pérez
Winnie Holzman, Dana Fox – Wicked
Greg Kwedar, Clint Bentley – Sing Sing
RaMell Ross & Joslyn Barnes – Nickel Boys
Denis Villeneuve, Jon Spaihts – Dune: Part Two

Best Cinematography

WINNER Best Cinematography: Jarin Blaschke – Nosferatu
Alice Brooks – Wicked

Lol Crawley – The Brutalist
Stéphane Fontaine – Conclave
Greig Fraser – Dune: Part Two
Jomo Fray – Nickel Boys

Best Production Design

WINNER Best Production Design: Nathan Crowley, Lee

Sandales – Wicked
Judy Becker, Patricia Cuccia – The Brutalist
Suzie Davies – Conclave
Craig Lathrop – Nosferatu
Arthur Max, Jille Azis, Elli Griff – Gladiator II
Patrice Vermette, Shane Vieau – Dune: Part Two

Best Editing

WINNER Best Editing: Marco Costa – Challengers

Sean Baker – Anora
Nick Emerson – Conclave
David Jancso – The Brutalist
Joe Walker – Dune: Part Two
Hansjörg Weißbrich – September 5

Best Costume Design

WINNER Best Costume Design: Paul Tazewell – Wicked

Lisy Christl – Conclave
Linda Muir – Nosferatu
Massimo Cantini Parrini – Maria
Jacqueline West – Dune: Part Two
Janty Yates, Dave Crossman – Gladiator II

Best Hair and Makeup

WINNER Best Hair and Makeup: Hair and Makeup Team – The Substance

Christine Blundell, Lesa Warrener, Neal Scanlan – Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
Hair and Makeup Team – Dune: Part Two
Frances Hannon, Sarah Nuth, Laura Blount – Wicked
Traci Loader, Suzanne Stokes-Munton, David White – Nosferatu
Mike Marino, Sarah Graalman, Aaron Saucier – A Different Man

Best Visual Effects

WINNER Best Visual Effects: Paul Lambert, Stephen James, Rhys Salcombe, Gerd Nefzer – Dune: Part Two

Mark Bakowski, Pietro Ponti, Nikki Penny, Neil Corbould – Gladiator II
Pablo Helman, Jonathan Fawkner, Paul Corbould, David Shirk – Wicked
Luke Millar, David Clayton, Keith Herft, Peter Stubbs – Better Man
Visual Effects Team – The Substance
Erik Winquist, Stephen Unterfranz, Paul Story, Rodney Burke – Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes

Best Animated Feature

WINNER Best Animated Feature: The Wild Robot

Flow
Inside Out 2
Memoir of a Snail
Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl

Best Comedy

WINNER Best Comedy: A Real Pain and Deadpool & Wolverine

Hit Man
My Old Ass
Saturday Night
Thelma

Best Foreign Language Film

WINNER Best Foreign Language Film: Emilia Pérez

All We Imagine as Light
Flow
I’m Still Here
Kneecap
The Seed of the Sacred Fig

Best Song

WINNER Best Song: “El Mal” – Emilia Pérez – Zoe Saldaña,

Karla Sofía Gascón, Camille
“Beautiful That Way” – The Last Showgirl – Miley Cyrus
“Compress/ Repress” – Challengers – Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross
“Harper and Will Go West” – Will & Harper – Kristen Wiig
“Kiss the Sky” – The Wild Robot – Maren Morris
“Mi Camino” – Emilia Pérez – Selena Gomez

Best Score

WINNER Best Score: Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross – Challengers

Volker Bertelmann – Conclave
Daniel Blumberg – The Brutalist
Kris Bowers – The Wild Robot
Clément Ducol & Camille – Emilia Pérez
Hans Zimmer – Dune: Part Two

Television Best Drama Series

WINNER Best Drama Series: Shōgun

The Day of the Jackal
The Diplomat
Evil
Industry
Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire
The Old Man
Slow Horses

Best Actress in a Drama Series

WINNER Best Actress in a Drama Series: Kathy Bates – Matlock

Caitriona Balfe – Outlander
Shanola Hampton – Found
Keira Knightley – Black Doves
Keri Russell – The Diplomat
Anna Sawai – Shōgun

Best Actor in a Drama Series

WINNER Best Actor in a Drama Series: Hiroyuki Sanada – Shōgun

Jeff Bridges – The Old Man
Gatwa – Doctor Who
Eddie Redmayne – The Day of the Jackal
Rufus Sewell – The Diplomat
Antony Starr – The Boys

Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

WINNER Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series: Moeka Hoshi – Shōgun

Allison Janney – The Diplomat
Nicole Kidman – Lioness
Skye P. Marshall – Matlock
Anna Sawai – Pachinko
Fiona Shaw – Bad Sisters

Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

WINNER Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series: Tadanobu Asano – Shōgun

Michael Emerson – Evil
Mark-Paul Gosselaar – Found
Takehiro Hira – Shōgun
John Lithgow – The Old Man
Sam Reid – Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire

Best Comedy Series

WINNER Best Comedy Series: Hacks

Abbott Elementary
English Teacher
Nobody Wants This
Only Murders in the Building
Somebody Somewhere
St. Denis Medical
What We Do in the Shadows

Best Actress in a Comedy Series

WINNER Best Actress in a Comedy Series: Jean Smart – Hacks

Kristen Bell – Nobody Wants This
Quinta Brunson – Abbott Elementary
Natasia Demetriou – What We Do in the Shadows
Bridget Everett – Somebody Somewhere
Kristen Wiig – Palm Royale

Best Actor in a Comedy Series

WINNER Best Actor in a Comedy Series: Adam Brody – Nobody Wants This

Brian Jordan Alvarez – English Teacher
David Alan Grier – St. Denis Medical
Steve Martin – Only Murders in the Building
Kayvan Novak – What We Do in the Shadows
Martin Short – Only Murders in the Building

Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

WINNER Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series: Michael Urie – Shrinking

Paul W. Downs – Hacks
Asher Grodman – Ghosts
Harvey Guillén – What We Do in the Shadows
Brandon Scott Jones – Ghosts
Tyler James Williams – Abbott Elementary

Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

WINNER Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series: Hannah Einbinder – Hacks

Liza Colón-Zayas – The Bear
Janelle James – Abbott Elementary
Stephanie Koenig – English Teacher
Patti LuPone – Agatha All Along
Annie Potts – Young Sheldon

Best Limited Series

WINNER Best Limited Series: Baby Reindeer

Disclaimer
Masters of the Air
Mr Bates vs the Post Office
The Penguin
Ripley
True Detective: Night Country
We Were the Lucky Ones

Best Movie Made for Television

WINNER Best Movie Made for Television: Rebel Ridge

The Great Lillian Hall
It’s What’s Inside
Música
Out of My Mind
V/H/S/Beyond

Best Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television

WINNER Best Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television: Cristin Milioti – The Penguin

Cate Blanchett – Disclaimer
Jodie Foster – True Detective: Night Country
Jessica Lange – The Great Lillian Hall
Phoebe-Rae Taylor – Out of My Mind
Naomi Watts – Feud: Capote vs. The Swans

Best Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television

WINNER: Colin Farrell – The Penguin

Richard Gadd – Baby Reindeer
Tom Hollander – Feud: Capote vs. The Swans
Kevin Kline – Disclaimer
Ewan McGregor – A Gentleman in Moscow
Andrew Scott – Ripley

Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television

WINNER Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television: Jessica Gunning – Baby Reindeer

Dakota Fanning – Ripley
Leila George – Disclaimer
Betty Gilpin – Three Women
Deirdre O’Connell – The Penguin
Kali Reis – True Detective: Night Country

Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television

WINNER Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television: Liev Schreiber – The Perfect Couple

Robert Downey Jr. – The Sympathizer
Hugh Grant – The Regime
Ron Cephas Jones – Genius: MLK/X
Logan Lerman – We Were the Lucky Ones
Treat Williams – Feud: Capote vs. The Swans

Best Foreign Language Series

WINNER Best Foreign Language Series: Squid Game

Acapulco
Citadel: Honey Bunny
La Máquina
The Law According to Lidia Poët
My Brilliant Friend
Pachinko
Senna

Best Animated Series

WINNER Best Animated Series: X-Men ’97

Batman: Caped Crusader
Bluey
Bob’s Burgers
Invincible
The Simpsons

Best Talk Show

WINNER Best Talk Show: John Mulaney Presents: Everybody’s in L.A.

Hot Ones
The Daily Show
The Graham Norton Show
The Kelly Clarkson Show
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

Best Comedy Special

WINNER Best Comedy Special: Ali Wong: Single Lady

Jim Gaffigan: The Skinny
Kevin James: Irregardless
Nikki Glaser: Someday You’ll Die
Rachel Bloom: Death, Let Me Do My Special
Ramy Youssef: More Feelings

The Untold Story of Public Enemy’s S1Ws at PAFF

If hip-hop had an army, the S1Ws (Security of the First World) were its frontline soldiers. They weren’t just background figures in Public Enemy’s iconic performances—they were a movement, a force, and a statement. On Wednesday, February 12, PAFF is honored to present the Centerpiece Screening of And to My Rescue It Was the S1Ws: A Public Enemy Story at The Culver Theater, shining a long-overdue spotlight on the untold history of these unsung guardians of hip-hop.

A Story That Needed to Be Told

We all know Public Enemy—the beats, the bars, the unflinching social commentary. But behind the music was a disciplined, military-style brotherhood dedicated to protecting the group and embodying the message they preached. From the streets of New York to international stages, the S1Ws represented order, purpose, and power—a direct response to the chaos of systemic oppression.

Through rare footage and firsthand accounts from Chuck D, Flavor Flav, and the S1Ws themselves, along with hip-hop royalty like Darryl “DMC” McDaniels, Ice Cube, Doug E. Fresh, and Ice-T, this documentary gives audiences an inside look at how hip-hop became more than music—it became a global revolution.

Why This Film Matters

The legacy of Public Enemy and the S1Ws isn’t just about music; it’s about resistance, resilience, and the fight for justice. This film isn’t a nostalgia trip—it’s a necessary reminder of hip-hop’s roots as a form of protest, empowerment, and truth-telling.

In today’s world, where hip-hop is often reduced to viral trends and industry politics, And to My Rescue It Was the S1Ws is a powerful reclamation of its revolutionary spirit. It’s about remembering the people who built this culture, the sacrifices they made, and the impact they had—not just in music, but in the world.

Be in the Room Where It Happens

If you love hip-hop, if you respect the culture, if you understand the power of storytelling—this screening is for you.

The Culver Theater
Wednesday, February 12

PAFF Centerpiece Screening

Tickets are available now here.

Don’t just hear about it after the fact. Be there.

GRAMMY WINNERS, A FULL LIST

Check out the winners of this year’s Grammy!

RECORD OF THE YEAR

WINNER: Kendrick Lamar - "Not Like Us"
The Beatles - "Now and Then"
Beyoncé - "Texas Hold ’Em"
Billie Eilish - "Birds of a Feather"
Chappell Roan - "Good Luck, Babe!"
Charli XCX - "360"
Sabrina Carpenter - "Espresso"
Taylor Swift Featuring Post Malone - "Fortnight"

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
WINNER: Beyoncé - Cowboy Carter
André 3000 - New Blue Sun
Billie Eilish - Hit Me Hard and Soft
Chappell Roan - The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess
Charli XCX - Brat
Jacob Collier - Djesse Vol. 4
Sabrina Carpenter - Short n’ Sweet
Taylor Swift - The Tortured Poets Department

SONG OF THE YEAR
WINNER: Kendrick Lamar - "Not Like Us"
Beyoncé - "Texas Hold ’Em"
Billie Eilish - "Birds of a Feather"
Chappell Roan - "Good Luck, Babe!"
Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars - "Die With a Smile"
Sabrina Carpenter - "Please Please Please"
Shaboozey - "A Bar Song (Tipsy)"
Taylor Swift Featuring Post Malone - "Fortnight"

BEST NEW ARTIST

WINNER: Chappell Roan
Benson Boone
Doechii
Khruangbin
Raye
Sabrina Carpenter
Shaboozey
Teddy Swims

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR, NON-CLASSICAL
WINNER: Daniel Nigro
Alissia
Dernst “D’Mile” Emile II
Ian Fitchuk
Mustard

SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR, NON-CLASSICAL
WINNER: Amy Allen
Edgar Barrera
Jessi Alexander
Jessie Jo Dillon
Raye

BEST POP SOLO PERFORMANCE
WINNER: Daniel Nigro
Beyoncé - "Bodyguard"
Chappell Roan - "Good Luck, Babe!"
Charli XCX - "Apple"

BEST POP DUO/GROUP PERFORMANCE
WINNER: Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars - "Die With a Smile"
Ariana Grande, Brandy & Monica - "The Boy Is Mine – Remix"
Beyoncé Featuring Post Malone - "Levii’s Jeans"
Charli XCX & Billie Eilish - "Guess" Featuring Billie Eilish
Gracie Abrams Featuring Taylor Swift - "Us."

BEST POP VOCAL ALBUM
WINNER: Sabrina Carpenter - Short n’ Sweet
Ariana Grande - Eternal Sunshine
Billie Eilish - Hit Me Hard and Soft
Chappell Roan - The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess
Taylor Swift - The Tortured Poets Department

BEST DANCE/ELECTRONIC RECORDING
WINNER: Justice & Tame Impala - "Neverender"
Disclosure - "She’s Gone, Dance On"
Four Tet - "Loved"
Fred Again.. & Baby Keem - "Leavemealone"
Kaytranada Featuring Childish Gambino - "Witchy"

BEST DANCE POP RECORDING
WINNER: Charli XCX - "Von Dutch"
Ariana Grande - "Yes, And?"
Billie Eilish - "L’Amour de Ma Vie [Over Now Extended Edit]"
Madison Beer - "Make You Mine"
Troye Sivan - "Got Me Started"

BEST DANCE/ELECTRONIC MUSIC ALBUM
WINNER: Charli XCX - Brat
Four Tet - Three
Justice - Hyperdrama
Kaytranada - Timeless
Zedd - Telos

Best Remixed Recording
WINNER: Charli XCX - "Von Dutch"
Charli XCX - "Von Dutch" A. G. Cook Remix Featuring Addison Rae
Doechii & Kaytranada Featuring JT - "Alter Ego (Kaytranada Remix)"
Julian Marley & Antaeus - "Jah Sees Them (Amapiano Remix)"
WIx
Shaboozey & David Guetta - "A Bar Song (Tipsy) (Remix)"

BEST R&B PERFORMANCE
WINNER: Charli XCX - "Von Dutch"
Chris Brown - "Residuals"
Coco Jones - "Here We Go (Uh Oh)"
Jhené Aiko - "Guidance"
SZA - "Saturn"

BEST TRADITIONAL R&B PERFORMANCE
WINNER: Lucky Daye - "That’s You"Kenyon Dixon - "Can I Have This Groove"
Lalah Hathaway Featuring Michael McDonald - "No Lie"
Marsha Ambrosius - "Wet"
Muni Long - "Make Me Forget"

BEST R&B SONG
WINNER: SZA - "Saturn"
Coco Jones - "Here We Go (Uh Oh)"
Kehlani - "After Hours"
Muni Long - "Ruined Me"
Tems - "Burning"

BEST PROGRESSIVEE R&B ALBUM
WINNER — TIE: Avery*Sunshine - So Glad to Know You
WINNER — TIE: NxWorries - Why Lawd?
Childish Gambino - Bando Stone and the New World
Durand Bernarr - En Route
Kehlani - Crash

BEST R&B ALBUM

WINNER: Chris Brown - 11:11 (Deluxe)
Lalah Hathaway - Vantablack
Lucky Daye - Algorithm
Muni Long - Revenge
Usher - Coming Home

BEST RAP PERFORMANCE
WINNER — TIE: NxWorries - Why Lawd?
Cardi B - "Enough (Miami)"
Common & Pete Rock Featuring Posdnuos - "When the Sun Shines Again"
Doechii - "Nissan Altima"
Eminem - "Houdini"
Future, Metro Boomin & Kendrick Lamar - "Like That"
GloRilla - "Yeah Glo!"

ST MELODIC RAP PERFORMANCE
WINNER: Rapsody Featuring Erykah Badu - "3:AM"
Beyoncé, Linda Martell & Shaboozey - "Spaghettii"
Future, Metro Boomin & The Weeknd - "We Still Don’t Trust You"
Jordan Adetunji Featuring Kehlani - "Kehlani (Remix)"
Latto - "Big Mama"

BEST RAP SONG
WINNER: Kendrick Lamar - "Not Like Us"
Future, Metro Boomin & Kendrick Lamar - "Like That"
GloRilla - "Yeah Glo!"
Rapsody & Hit-Boy - "Asteroids"
¥$, Kanye West, Ty Dolla $ign & Rich the Kid Featuring Playboi Carti - "Carnival"

BEST RAP ALBUM est Rap Album
WINNER: Kendrick Lamar - "Not Like Us"
Common & Pete Rock - The Auditorium Vol. 1
Eminem - The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce)
Future & Metro Boomin - We Don’t Trust You
J. Cole - Might Delete Later

BEST COUNTRY SOLO PERFORMANCE
WINNER: Chris Stapleton - "It Takes a Woman"
Beyoncé - "16 Carriages"
Jelly Roll - "I Am Not Okay"
Kacey Musgraves - "The Architect"
Shaboozey - "A Bar Song (Tipsy)"

BEST COUNTRY DUO/GROUP PERFORMANCE
WINNER: Beyoncé & Miley Cyrus - "II Most Wanted"
Brothers Osborne - "Break Mine"
Dan + Shay - "Bigger Houses"
Kelsea Ballerini & Noah Kahan - "Cowboys Cry Too"
Post Malone Featuring Morgan Wallen - "I Had Some Help"

BEST COUNTRY SONG
WINNER: Kacey Musgraves - "The Architect"
Beyoncé - "Texas Hold ’Em"
Jelly Roll - "I Am Not Okay"
Post Malone Featuring Morgan Wallen - "I Had Some Help"
Shaboozey - "A Bar Song (Tipsy)"

BEST COUNTRY ALBUM
WINNER: Beyoncé - Cowboy Carter
Chris Stapleton - Higher
Kacey Musgraves - Deeper Well
Lainey Wilson - Whirlwind
Post Malone - F-1 Trillion

BEST AMERICANA PERFORMANCE
WINNER: Sierra Ferrell - "American Dreaming"
Beyoncé - "Ya Ya"
Gillian Welch & David Rawlings - "Empty Trainload of Sky"
Madi Diaz & Kacey Musgraves - "Don’t Do Me Good"
Madison Cunningham - "Subtitles"
Sarah Jarosz - "Runaway Train"

BEST LATIN POP ALBUM
WINNER: Shakira - Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran
Anitta - Funk Generation
Kali Uchis - Orquídeas
Kany García - García
Luis Fonsi - El Viaje

BEST MUSICA URBANA ALBUM
WINNER: Residente - Las Letras Ya No Importan
Bad Bunny - Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana
Feid - Ferxxocalipsis
J Balvin - Rayo
Young Miko - Att.

BEST MUSICA MEXICANA ALBUM (Including Tejano)
WINNER: Carín León - Boca Chueca, Vol. 1
Chiquis - Diamantes
Jessi Uribe - De Lejitos
Peso Pluma - Éxodo

BEST AFRICAN MUSIC PERFORMANCE
WINNER: Tems - "Love Me JeJe"
Asake & Wizkid - "MMS"
Burna Boy - "Higher"
Chris Brown Featuring Davido & Lojay - "Sensational"

Yemi Alade - "Tomorrow"

Best Global Music Album
WINNER: Matt B & Royal Philharmonic Orchestra - Alkebulan II

Antonio Rey - Historias de un Flamenco

Ciro Hurtado – Paisajes

Rema - Heis

Tems - Born in the Wild

Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media (Includes Film and Television)

WINNER: Hans Zimmer - Dune: Part Two

Kris Bowers - The Color Purple

Laura Karpman - American Fiction

Nick Chuba, Atticus Ross & Leopold Ross - Shōgun

Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross - Challengers

Best Song Written for Visual Media

WINNER: Jon Batiste - "It Never Went Away" (From the Netflix Documentary American Symphony)

Barbra Streisand - "Love Will Survive" (From The Tattooist of Auschwitz)

Luke Combs - "Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma" (From Twisters: The Album)

*NSync & Justin Timberlake - "Better Place" (From Trolls Band Together)

Olivia Rodrigo - "Can’t Catch Me Now" (From The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes)

Best Music Video
WINNER: Jon Batiste - "It Never Went Away" (From the Netflix Documentary American Symphony)
A$AP Rocky - "Tailor Swif"
Charli XCX - "360"
Eminem - "Houdini"
Taylor Swift Featuring Post Malone - "Fortnight"

THE AFRICAN AMERICAN FILM CRITICS ASSOCIATION (AAFCA)’S 2025 SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS LUNCHEON TOOK PLACE IN LOS ANGELES ON SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2ND

Lynn Whitfield, RaMell Ross, Kelly Rowland, and more among event attendees

First Responders Attended in Honor of Their Wildfire Relief Efforts

The African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) hosted the 2025 Special Achievement Awards Luncheon honoring cinematic excellence at the Los Angeles Athletic Club on Sunday, February 2nd. A distinguished event celebrating the diverse and influential voices shaping the cinematic landscape, this annual invitation-only awards ceremony honored individuals for their prolific contributions to the entertainment industry.

Attendees included honorees Lynn Whitfield (Legacy Award), Brandon Wilson and Ethan Herisse (Next Gen Award), “Nickel Boys” and RaMell Ross (Karen & Stanley Kramer Social Justice Award), Amber Rasberry (Horizon Award), and Taura Stinson (Ascension Award).

Presenters and special guests included Keith David, Deric Augustine, Kathryn Bostic, Kelly Rowland, DeVon Franklin, J. Alphonse Nicholson, and Jennifer & Kat Kramer, along with AAFCA President and Founder Gil Robertson, who presided over the event.

Photo Credit: Sheri Determan / for AAFCA Keith David attends AAFCA’s 2025 Special Achievement Awards Luncheon Honoring Cinematic Excellence in Los Angeles on Sunday, February 2nd

Photo Credit: Sheri Determan / for AAFCA Amber Rasberry attends AAFCA’s 2025 Special Achievement Awards Luncheon Honoring Cinematic Excellence in Los Angeles on Sunday, February 2nd

Photo Credit: Sheri Determan / for AAFCA RaMell Ross attends AAFCA’s 2025 Special Achievement Awards Luncheon Honoring Cinematic Excellence in Los Angeles on Sunday, February 2nd

Photo Credit: Sheri Determan / for AAFCA Brandon Wilson and Ethan Herisse attends AAFCA’s 2025 Special Achievement Awards Luncheon Honoring Cinematic Excellence in Los Angeles on Sunday, February 2nd

Photo Credit: Sheri Determan / for AAFCA attends AAFCA’s Lynn Whitfield Excellence in Los Angeles on Sunday, February 2nd

Photo Credit: Sheri Determan / for AAFCA Karen Kramer attends AAFCA’s 2025 Special Achievement Awards Luncheon Honoring Cinematic Excellence in Los Angeles on Sunday, February 2nd

Photo Credit: Sheri Determan / for AAFCA Taura Stinson attends AAFCA’s 2025 Special Achievement Awards Luncheon Honoring Cinematic Excellence in Los Angeles on Sunday, February 2nd

Photo Credit: Sheri Determan / for AAFCA attends AAFCA’s 2025 Special Achievement Awards Luncheon Honoring Cinematic Excellence in Los Angeles on Sunday, February 2nd

ABOUT AAFCA

Established in 2003, AAFCA is the premier body of Black film critics in the world, actively reviewing film and television, with a particular emphasis on entertainment highlighting the Black experience in the US and throughout the rest of the African Diaspora. For more information on AAFCA and its programs visit http://AAFCA.com.

Micheal B. Jordan Stars in Director Ryan Coogler’s SINNERS in Theaters April 18, 2025

Release date April 18, 2025

Director and writer Ryan Coogler
Starring: Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, Miles Caton, Jack O'Connell, Wunmi Mosaku, Jayme Lawson, Omar Benson Miller, Li Jun Li, Delroy Lindo
Genre: Supernatural Horror, thriller
Run time: 2 hours 27 minutes
Country: United States
Language: English

SINNERS tells the story of twin brothers Smoke and Stack (Michael B. Jordan) return to their hometown to start again, but find that maybe the worse decision of their lives.

Producers: Ryan Coogler, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian
Cinematographer: Autumn Durald Arkapaw
Editor: Michael P. Shawver
Music: Ludwig Göransson
Production company: Proximity Media
Distributer: Warner Bros. Pictures

PAFF Announces Cancellation of 2025 ArtFest Amidst Challenges Caused by Recent Fires

Los Angeles, CA — The Pan African Film & Arts Festival (PAFF), the nation’s largest and most prestigious celebration of Pan African culture, has announced the cancellation of its highly anticipated 2025 ArtFest to later this year.

The decision to cancel the ArtFest comes in response to unforeseen challenges caused by the recent fires, which significantly impacted planning and logistics. “We are committed to delivering the highest quality experiences for our audience, and in light of these challenges, we felt it was necessary to take the time to ensure the ArtFest meets the exceptional standards our audience expects and deserves,” said Oduduwa Olatunji Executive Director of PAFF.

Despite the postponement of the ArtFest, PAFF’s signature events will continue as planned, including:

• International Black Film Festival featuring over 150 films
• Children’s Fest - A free fun-filled event showcasing kid-friendly films and activities designed to educate and entertain young audiences.
• Student Fest - A curated program of films for students in grades 6-12, addressing today’s social issues and topics that matter most to young people.
• Spokenword Fest - A powerful showcase of spoken word artists delivering electrifying performances that celebrate culture, identity, and expression.
• LOL Comedy Show - An unforgettable night of laughter featuring top comedians from across the diaspora bringing humor and heart to the stage.
• A robust lineup of panel discussions that make up the PAFF Institute

The 2025 Pan African Film Festival itself remains a full-scale celebration of Pan African art and storytelling, featuring an extraordinary lineup of films, events, and cultural experiences. Attendees are invited to immerse themselves in the powerful and diverse stories showcased on screen while PAFF works behind the scenes to prepare an unforgettable ArtFest experience later this year.

The 2025 Pan African Film Festival runs from February 4-17 in Los Angeles, CA. For tickets, schedules, and more information, visit paff.org.

The Pan African Film and Arts Festival is proud to be supported by an incredible lineup of sponsors who share our commitment to celebrating Black art, culture, and storytelling. This year’s sponsors include Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, District 2, the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture, Culver City, the City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson, District 8, Los Angeles City Councilmembers Curren D. Price Jr., District 9 and Heather Hutt, District 10. Additional support for PAFF comes from Stocker Street Creative, Gilead Sciences, SAGindie, Sony Pictures, DGA, US Bank, BeiGene, and the Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI).

About Pan African Film & Arts Festival:

The Pan African Film & Arts Festival (PAFF) is one of the longest-running and most respected cultural events dedicated to showcasing the artistic achievements of the Black and African diaspora. Since its inception, PAFF has provided a dynamic platform for filmmakers, artists, and performers to share their stories, celebrate their heritage, and inspire audiences through powerful and thought-provoking works. More at paff.org.

“Magazine Dreams” to Open 33rd Pan African Film & Arts Festival

Jonathan Majors’ Gritty, Acclaimed Drama Kicks Off a Celebration of Black Storytelling in Cinema’s Grandest Showcase

Majors to Attend Along with Actress Meagan Good

— The 33rd Pan African Film & Arts Festival is set to open Tuesday, February 4, 2025 at The Culver Theater with MAGAZINE DREAMS, the gripping and critically acclaimed drama from writer-director Elijah Bynum, starring Emmy-winning actor Jonathan Majors (“Lovecraft Country”) in a transformative performance.

MAGAZINE DREAMS, which stars Majors alongside Haley Bennett, Taylour Paige, Harrison Page, and Mike O’Hearn, will set the stage for another groundbreaking year of celebrating Black storytelling on the big screen. Majors, who is also a celebrity ambassador for the 2025 PAFF, will attend hitting the red-carpet alongside a star[1]studded list of celebrities. He will be introduced by actress Meagan Good (“Harlem”).

Killian Maddox is consumed by his dream of becoming a world-famous bodybuilder and one day gracing the cover of fitness magazines. He lives a lonely, regimented life, and his relentless drive for perfection only pushes him deeper towards self-destruction, but beneath his tenacious pursuit of superstardom lies a desperate, aching need for human connection. As he battles both the limits of his physical body and his own inner demons, MAGAZINE DREAMS explores the lengths one man will go in his haunting quest for recognition in a world that often overlooks him.

MAGAZINE DREAMS is directed and written by Malcolm Elijah Bynum. The film produced by Jennifer Fox, Dan Gilroy, Simon Horsman, Jeffrey Soros, Luke Rodgers with executive producers. Lemuel Plummer, LJ Plummer and Jason Tolbert. The distributor is Briarcliff Entertainment with Zeus Network as Briarcliff’s marketing partner for MAGAZINE DREAMS.

“We are thrilled to open the 2025 Pan African Film Festival with a film that challenges, moves, and sparks critical conversation,” said PAFF Executive Director Oduduwa Olatunji. “Magazine Dreams is a bold and necessary work that speaks to the complexities of Black identity and ambition, making it a perfect launch for this year’s festival.”

Now in its 33rd year, PAFF continues to be a leading platform for films that elevate global Black voices. As the largest and most prestigious Black film festival in the United States, PAFF has been instrumental in showcasing the work of established and emerging filmmakers from across the African diaspora.

The 2025 Pan African Film Festival will take place February 4-17, 2025, in Los Angeles, featuring a lineup of narrative features, documentaries, and short films from the U.S., Africa, the Caribbean, and beyond.

Tickets for Opening Night are on sale along with tickets to the rest of the Festival’s presentations now at www.paff.org.

About Pan African Film & Arts Festival:

Universal Pictures ‘WICKED’

Director: Jon M. Chu
Screenplay: Winnie Holzman, Dana Fox
Bas:d on Wicked by Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman; Wicked by Gregory Maguire
Starring: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Bowen Yang, Peter Dinklage, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum
Run time: 2 hours 40 minutes
Country: United States
Language: English

The film tells the story of the stage musical's first act. Starring Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba Thropp and Ariana Grande[b] as Galinda Upland, with Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Bowen Yang, Marissa Bode, Peter Dinklage, Michelle Yeoh, and Jeff Goldblum in supporting roles. Set in the Land of Oz, before Dorothy Gale's arrival from Kansas, its plot follows Elphaba, the future Wicked Witch of the West, and her friendship with her classmate Galinda, who becomes Glinda the Good.

PAFF Unveils 2025 Film Guide

Dream Beyond: PAFF Unveils 2025 Film Guide with Premieres, Award-Winning Selections, and Diverse Voices from 34 Countries

Los Angeles, CA — The Pan African Film and Arts Festival (PAFF), the largest international Black film festival in the United States, proudly announces the release of its highly anticipated 2025 Film Guide. The PAFF Film Guide offers a first look at the extraordinary lineup of films selected for this year’s festival taking place February 4-23, 2025, in Los Angeles. While PAFF runs through the 23rd, all of its films will screen February 10-17. This year PAFF will showcase an exceptional selection of over 150 films, with a lineup that includes 46 documentaries, 100 narratives, 46 features, 100 shorts, and six web series. The festival will host an impressive array of premieres, including 30 world premieres, 16 U.S. premieres, 36 West Coast premieres, and 16 Los Angeles premieres, and it proudly highlights the work of 51 female filmmakers and 10 queer filmmakers representing 34 countries in 19 languages.

“This year’s lineup reflects the power and scope of Black storytelling from across the globe,” said PAFF Executive Director Oduduwa Olatunji. “From international award contenders to groundbreaking premieres, we are thrilled to present a festival that celebrates the voices, cultures, and perspectives of Black America, Africa, and the African diaspora.” Among the highly acclaimed selections are Soundtrack to a Coup D’État, nominated for Best Documentary Feature for the 97th Academy Awards (2025) and NAWI, Kenya’s official submission for the 97th Academy Awards (2025). These Oscar[1]contending films are joined by a dynamic slate of compelling narratives, groundbreaking documentaries, and innovative shorts, offering a vibrant showcase of the creativity and depth of films made by and/or about people of African descent throughout the world.

Olatunji continued, “We are thrilled that South African film The Last Ranger, directed by Cindy Lee, received an Oscar nomination for Best Live Action Short Film at the 97th Academy Awards! This incredible achievement comes after the film won Best Short Narrative Film at the 2024 Pan African Film and Arts Festival that allowed it to qualify for the Academy Awards. The Last Ranger is a shining example of how films showcased at PAFF go on to achieve great things, further cementing the festival’s reputation as a launchpad for groundbreaking Black storytelling and talent.

” PAFF is an Oscars qualifying film festival for the Academy Awards in the categories of: Best Short Narrative Film, Best Short Documentary, and Best Animated Short.

In a joint statement, PAFF Programmers added, “The selection process for PAFF is always an inspiring yet challenging journey, as we sift through hundreds of extraordinary submissions from across the globe. The films chosen for this year’s festival represent the bold creativity, diverse perspectives, and profound storytelling that define the African diaspora. They challenge us to think deeply, dream beyond limitations, and celebrate the richness of our shared humanity.”

PAFF ArtFest This year, PAFF expands its reach with new venues in Culver City, providing audiences with even more opportunities to experience the dynamic lineup of films, panels, and special events. Adding to the excitement is the return of the beloved ArtFest, hosted at the Westfield Culver City, where attendees can explore an inspiring showcase of fine art, jewelry, fashion, and unique crafts from talented artisans across the globe. These new locations reflect PAFF’s commitment to bringing the community together and celebrating Black excellence in art, culture, and storytelling in vibrant and accessible spaces.

As PAFF continues its legacy of amplifying Black stories and talent, the 2025 festival invites audiences to embrace this year’s theme, Dream Beyond, celebrating the boundless creativity, resilience, and innovation of the African diaspora. Attendees can look forward to an unforgettable experience filled with screenings, panels, and special events that inspire discovery, spark meaningful dialogue, and foster a vibrant sense of community. For more information and to explore the full 2025 Film Guide, visit paff.org.

The Pan African Film & Arts Festival is proud to be supported by an incredible lineup of sponsors who share our commitment to celebrating Black art, culture, and storytelling. This year’s sponsors include Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, District 2, the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture, Culver City, the City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles City Council President Marqueece Harris-Dawson, District 8, Los Angeles City Councilmembers Curren D. Price Jr., District 9 and Heather Hutt, District 10, and Westfield Culver City. Additional support for PAFF comes from Stocker Street Creative, SAGindie, Sony Pictures, DGA, US Bank, BeiGene, and the Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI).

Their support helps make this festival a powerful platform for creativity, connection, and community.

About Pan African Film & Arts Festival:

‘Wicked: Part I’ Starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande-Butera

Released November 22, 2024, in the United States

Director: Jon M. Chu
Screenplay: Winnie Holzman, Dana Fox
Based on Wicked by Stephen Schwartz, Winnie Holzman
Wicked by Gregory Maguire
Starring: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande-Butera, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Bowen Yang, Marissa Bode, Peter Dinklage, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum
Genre: Musical, fantasy
Rating: PG
Run time: 2 hours 40 minutes
Country: United States
Language: English

Jon Chu’s ‘Wicked: Part I’ covers the musical's first act in the Land of Oz before Dorothy Gale's arrival from Kansas and how Elphaba, the future Wicked Witch of the West, and her friendship with her classmate Galinda, the future Glinda the Good develops over time.

The additional cast are young Elphaba (Karis Musongole); Galinda Upland (Ariana Grande-Butera), a popular young woman who becomes Glinda the Good; Fiyero Tigelaar (Jonathan Bailey), a prince from Winkie Country who meets Elphaba and Glinda at school; Boq Woodsman (Ethan Slater), a Munchkin in love with Glinda; Pfannee (Bowen Yang), one of Glinda's college friends; Nessarose Thropp (Marissa Bode) Elphaba's paraplegic younger sister; young Nessarose (Cesily Collette Taylor); Dr. Dillamond (as the voice of Peter Dinklage ), a talking Goat and history professor at Shiz University, Dr. Dillamond (movement artist Luisa Guerrerio); Madame Morrible (Michelle Yeoh ), the Dean of Sorcery at Shiz University; The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (Jeff Goldblum); Governor Thropp (Andy Nyman ), Elphaba and Nessarose's father and the Governor of Munchkinland; Mrs. Thropp (Courtney-Mae Briggs) , Elphaba and Nessarose's mother, who dies after giving birth to Nessarose; Miss Coddle (Keala Settle), the headmistress of Shiz University, Avaric (Aaron Teoh), Fiyero's friend.

Distributor: Universal Pictures
Producers: Marc Platt, David Stone
Production companies: Universal Pictures, Marc Platt Productions
Cinematographer: Alice Brooks
Editor: Myron Kerstein
Music score: John Powell, Stephen Schwartz
Music songs: Stephen Schwartz