‘Oppenheimer’ Wins Seven Oscars, Including Best Picture and Director: Full 2024 Oscar Winners

Photo: Yevette Renee

The Oscars got off to a rocky start with the pro-Palestinian rally in the blocks from the Dolby Theatre in heart of Hollywood that caused the late start for the ceremony as A-listers rushed to get to their seats.

And ended with a fantastic performance by Ryan Gosling’s “I’m Just Ken” that included appearances by Slash, Wolfgang Van Halen, and the Barbie’s other Kens Simu Liu, Kingsley Ben-Adir, and Ncuti Gatwa. His hot pick suit, gloves gave you all the “Barbie” vibes.

Once it did get started, it brought plenty of entertainment and great acceptance speeches and domination by ‘Oppenheimer.’

After seven nominations, Christopher Nolan about “Oppenheimer and his win as best director, “We made a film about the man who created the atomic bomb, and for better or for worse, we’re all living in Oppenheimer’s world.”

Da’vine Joy Randolph won best supporting actress for her role as a cafeteria manager dealing with the death of her son in “The Holdovers.” Da’Vine thanked voters for “seeing me,” adding, “for so long, I’ve always wanted to be different, and now, I realize, I just need to be myself.”

Jonathan Glazer, director of “The Zone of Interest,” a drama set in Auschwitz winner of the best international feature winner  “Our film shows where dehumanization leads at its worst,” Glazer said. “It shaped all of our past and present. Right now, we stand here as men who refute their Jewishness and the Holocaust being hijacked by an occupation which has led to conflict for so many innocent people. Whether the victims of October 7th in Israel or the ongoing attack on Gaza, all the victims of this dehumanization — how do we resist?”Here’s the complete list of winner

Host Jimmy Kimmel called “the teamsters, the truck drivers, gaffers, grips” to join him on stage, thankin them for refusing the cross the picket lines as actors and writers held out for a better contract.

He said, “Come on, guys, take a bow,” Kimmel said. “Take a bow. You deserve it. Thank you for standing with us.” Best Picture

A hilarious moment was Kimmel reading a review from Donald Trumps about his hosting of the Oscars.

“Has there EVER been a WORSE HOST than Jimmy Kimmel at The Oscars?,” Trump wrote on his social media site, Truth Social. “His opening was that of a less than average person trying too hard to be something which he is not, and can never be.”

Kimmel responded,  “Isn’t it past your jail time?”

The complete list of 2024 Oscar winners:

Best Picture

WINNER “Oppenheimer,” Emma Thomas, Charles Roven and Christopher Nolan, producers

“American Fiction,” Ben LeClair, Nikos Karamigios, Cord Jefferson and Jermaine Johnson, producers

“Anatomy of a Fall,” Marie-Ange Luciani and David Thion, producers

“Barbie,” David Heyman, Margot Robbie, Tom Ackerley and Robbie Brenner, producers

“The Holdovers,” Mark Johnson, producer

“Killers of the Flower Moon,” Dan Friedkin, Bradley Thomas, Martin Scorsese and Daniel Lupi, producers

“Maestro,” Bradley Cooper, Steven Spielberg, Fred Berner, Amy Durning and Kristie Macosko Krieger, producers

“Past Lives,” David Hinojosa, Christine Vachon and Pamela Koffler, producers

“Poor Things,” Ed Guiney, Andrew Lowe, Yorgos Lanthimos and Emma Stone, producers

“The Zone of Interest,” James Wilson, producer

Best Director

Winner Christopher Nolan — “Oppenheimer”

 Justine Triet — “Anatomy of a Fall”

Martin Scorsese — “Killers of the Flower Moon”

Yorgos Lanthimos — “Poor Things”

Jonathan Glazer — “The Zone of Interest”

Actor in a Leading Role

WINNER Cillian Murphy — “Oppenheimer”

Bradley Cooper — “Maestro”

Colman Domingo — “Rustin”

Paul Giamatti — “The Holdovers”

Jeffrey Wright — “American Fiction”

Actress in a Leading Role

WINNER  Emma Stone — “Poor Things”

 Annette Bening — “Nyad”

Lily Gladstone — “Killers of the Flower Moon”

Sandra Hüller — “Anatomy of a Fall”

Carey Mulligan — “Maestro”

Actor in a Supporting Role

WINNER Robert Downey Jr. — “Oppenheimer”

 Sterling K. Brown — “American Fiction”

Robert De Niro – “Killers of the Flower Moon”

Ryan Gosling — “Barbie”

Mark Ruffalo — “Poor Things”

Actress in a Supporting Role

WINNER   Da’Vine Joy Randolph —          “The Holdovers”

 Emily Blunt — “Oppenheimer”

Danielle Brooks — “The Color Purple”

America Ferrera – “Barbie”

Jodie Foster — “Nyad”

Adapted Screenplay

WINNER “American Fiction,” written for the screen by Cord Jefferson

“Barbie,” written by Greta Gerwig and Noah Baumbach

“Oppenheimer,” written for the screen by Christopher Nolan

“Poor Things,” screenplay by Tony McNamara

“The Zone of Interest,” written by Jonathan Glazer

Original Screenplay

WINNER “Anatomy of a Fall,” screenplay by Justine Triet and Arthur Harari

“The Holdovers,” written by David Hemingson

“Maestro,” written by Bradley Cooper and Josh Singer

“May December,” screenplay by Samy Burch; story by Samy Burch and Alex Mechanik

“Past Lives,” written by Celine Song

Cinematography

WINNER “Oppenheimer” – Hoyte van Hoytema

 “El Conde” – Edward Lachman

"Killers of the Flower Moon” – Rodrigo Prieto

"Maestro” – Matthew Libatique

“Poor Things” – Robbie Ryan

Original Song

WINNER “What Was I Made For?” from “Barbie,” music and lyric by Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell

 “The Fire Inside” from “Flamin’ Hot,” music and lyric by Diane Warren

“I’m Just Ken” from “Barbie,” music and lyric by Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt

“It Never Went Away” from “American Symphony,” music and lyric by Jon Batiste and Dan Wilson

“Wahzhazhe (A Song For My People)” from “Killers of the Flower Moon,” music and lyric by Scott George

Costume Design

WINNER “Poor Things” – Holly Waddington

“Barbie” – Jacqueline Durran

“Killers of the Flower Moon” – Jacqueline West

“Napoleon” – Janty Yates and Dave Crossman

“Oppenheimer” – Ellen Mirojnick

Sound

Winner “The Zone of Interest,” Tarn Willers and Johnnie Burn

“The Creator,” Ian Voigt, Erik Aadahl, Ethan Van der Ryn, Tom Ozanich and Dean Zupancic

“Maestro,” Steven A. Morrow, Richard King, Jason Ruder, Tom Ozanich and Dean Zupancic

“Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One,” Chris Munro, James H. Mather, Chris Burdon and Mark Taylor

“Oppenheimer,” Willie Burton, Richard King, Gary A. Rizzo and Kevin O’Connell

Original Score

WINNER “Oppenheimer” – Ludwig Göransson

“American Fiction” – Laura Karpman

“Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny” John Williams

“Killers of the Flower Moon” – Robbie Robertson

“Poor Things” – Jerskin Fendrix

Live Action Short Film

WINNER “The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar,” Wes Anderson and Steven Rales

“The After,” Misan Harriman and Nicky Bentham

“Invincible,” Vincent René-Lortie and Samuel Caron

“Knight of Fortune,” Lasse Lyskjær Noer and Christian Norlyk

“Red, White and Blue,” Nazrin Choudhury and Sara McFarlane

Animated Short Film

WINNER “War Is Over! Inspired by the Music of John & Yoko,” Dave Mullins and Brad Booker

“Letter to a Pig,” Tal Kantor and Amit R. Gicelter

“Ninety-Five Senses,” Jerusha Hess and Jared Hess

“Our Uniform,” Yegane Moghaddam

“Pachyderme,” Stéphanie Clément and Marc Rius

Documentary Feature Film

WINNER “20 Days in Mariupol,” Mstyslav Chernov, Michelle Mizner and Raney Aronson-Rath

“Bobi Wine: The People’s President,” Moses Bwayo, Christopher Sharp and John Battsek

“The Eternal Memory”

“Four Daughters,” Kaouther Ben Hania and Nadim Cheikhrouha

“To Kill a Tiger,” Nisha Pahuja, Cornelia Principe and David Oppenheim

Documentary Short Film

WINNER “The Last Repair Shop,” Ben Proudfoot and Kris Bowers

“The ABCs of Book Banning,” Sheila Nevins and Trish Adlesic

“The Barber of Little Rock,” John Hoffman and Christine Turner

“Island in Between,” S. Leo Chiang and Jean Tsien

“Nǎi Nai & Wài Pó,” Sean Wang and Sam Davis

International Feature Film

WINNER “The Zone of Interest” (United Kingdom)

“Io Capitano” (Italy)

“Perfect Days” (Japan)

“Society of the Snow” (Spain)

“The Teachers’ Lounge” (Germany)

Animated Feature Film

WINNER “The Boy and the Heron,” Hayao Miyazaki and Toshio Suzuki

“Elemental,” Peter Sohn and Denise Ream

“Nimona,” Nick Bruno, Troy Quane, Karen Ryan and Julie Zackary

“Robot Dreams,” Pablo Berger, Ibon Cormenzana, Ignasi Estapé and Sandra Tapia Díaz

“Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse,” Kemp Powers, Justin K. Thompson, Phil Lord, Christopher Miller and Amy Pascal

Makeup and Hairstyling

WINNER “Poor Things,” Nadia Stacey, Mark Coulier and Josh Weston

“Golda,” Karen Hartley Thomas, Suzi Battersby and Ashra Kelly-Blue

“Maestro,” Kazu Hiro, Kay Georgiou and Lori McCoy-Bell

“Oppenheimer,” Luisa Abel

“Society of the Snow,” Ana López-Puigcerver, David Martí and Montse Ribé

Production Design

WINNER “Poor Things,” production design: James Price and Shona Heath; set decoration: Zsuzsa Mihalek

“Barbie,” production design: Sarah Greenwood; set decoration: Katie Spencer

“Killers of the Flower Moon,” production design: Jack Fisk; set decoration: Adam Willis

“Napoleon,” production design: Arthur Max; set decoration: Elli Griff

“Oppenheimer,” production design: Ruth De Jong; set decoration: Claire Kaufman

Film Editing

WINNER “Oppenheimer” – Jennifer Lame

“Anatomy of a Fall” – Laurent Sénéchal

“The Holdovers” – Kevin Tent

“Killers of the Flower Moon” – Thelma Schoonmaker

“Poor Things” – Yorgos Mavropsaridis

Visual Effects

WINNER “Godzilla Minus One,” Takashi Yamazaki, Kiyoko Shibuya, Masaki Takahashi and Tatsuji Nojima

“The Creator,” Jay Cooper, Ian Comley, Andrew Roberts and Neil Corbould

“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,” Stephane Ceretti, Alexis Wajsbrot, Guy Williams and Theo Bialek

“Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One,” Alex Wuttke, Simone Coco, Jeff Sutherland and Neil Corbould

“Napoleon,” Charley Henley, Luc-Ewen Martin-Fenouillet, Simone Coco and Neil Corbould

View New US Trailer for Lionsgate’s “5LBS OF PRESSURE”- In Theaters, On Digital and On Demand on March 8th

mail Liongate logo
mail5lbs Pressure Poster

Writer and Director: Phil Allocco
Starring: Luke Evans, Rory Culkin, Alex Pettyfer and Rudy Pankow
Genre: Thriller
Rating: R for sexual content, nudity, language throughout and some drug use
Run Time: 1 hour 49 minutes
Producer:  Phil Allocco

In this gripping action-thriller, Adam (Luke Evans), an ex-con back in his old neighborhood after serving a 16-year stretch for murder, walks a rocky path of forgiveness toward the son who grew up without him, while the bitter, volatile brother of the youth he killed looms in the background. Meanwhile, Mike (Rory Culkin), sick of doing the bidding of his drug-dealing uncle (Alex Pettyfer), is desperate to leave his sordid life behind. When Adam and Mike’s paths converge, inescapable destiny will give way to violence…and a final, fleeting shot at redemption.

Filmmaker Phil Allocco is a feature film and commercial writer/director. His work has garnered over 60 awards and nominations. He was one of the short-listed directors picked by Steven Spielberg from a world-wide search of over 12,000 directors for his US TV series ‘On the Lot’ for FOX TV. His feature film ‘The Truth About Lies,’ was released theatrically in 2017 and won 14 awards at festivals including "The Best Of Fest" at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival.

SOCIAL MEDIA:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lionsgate
X/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/Lionsgate
@Lionsgate

Los Angeles’s PAN AFRICAN FILM FESTIVAL “SHAPING US” Exciting Debut Film by a Lagos-born Filmmaker

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Shot entirely in a single location, SHAPING US is a thought-provoking, much needed film that explores and celebrates the love, beauty, and depth of human relationships, touching upon themes of motherhood, female emancipation, and friendship.

Kambili, a first time filmmaker was born in Lagos and raised in the UK. She channels her passion, diverse life experiences and commitment to truth in her work, and this film is particularly representative of her style and storytelling talent.

Kambili also appears in the film as Ara, one of the lead character - she is also an extremely talented actress.

I would love to know if you might be interested in covering the exciting news that SHAPING US will screen at The Pan African Film Festival? Might you be interested in an interview with Kambili?

The film is set to receive a lot of buzz across the festival circuit.

Gravitas Ventures’ THE JOB OF SONGS on Digital Platforms, Today November 21, 2023 

Director and Writer: Lila Schmitz 
Featuring: Katie Theasby, Luka Bloom, The Fiddle Case, Christy McNamara, Christy Barry-Doolin Music House, Anne Rynne, Yvonne Casey, Tunes From Doolin 
Genre: Documentary 
Run time: 1 hour 14 minutes

THE JOB OF SONGS

Tourists flock to the west coast of Ireland to take in the breathtaking Cliffs of Moher, but the real treasure lies in the soulful, acoustic sounds wafting out of pubs and living rooms of Doolin, County Clare. The denizens of this unspoiled coastal village of tight-knit neighbors and unlocked doors revel in the passion and history of their traditional folk songs, using music as a thread through generations to create community, connection, and joy. 

The Cliffs of Moher meet the blue-grey water and the ominous clouds. 

Location: Cliffs of Moher, County Clare, Ireland 
Photo Credit: Anika Kan Grevstad
The Cliffs of Moher meet the blue-grey water and the ominous clouds. Location: Cliffs of Moher, County Clare, Ireland Photo Credit: Anika Kan Grevstad

THE JOB OF SONGS was made by a crew of three women, who are first time feature filmmakers: LILA SCHMITZ (director, producer, editor), ANIKA KAN GREVSTAD (director of photography, producer), and FENGYI XU (producer).  The film was made with the support of acclaimed documentarians double Oscar-winning writer-producer-director Bill Guttentag and Emmy and Grammy Award winning documentarian Doug Pray.   The film has screened at numerous prestigious International Film Festivals including DOC NYC, Galway Film Fleadh, Newport Beach Film Festival, Rocky Mountain Women’s Film Festival, Milwaukee Film Festival, and many others.  It won Best International Documentary at the Galway Film Fleadh.  

For more information, go to: https://thejobofsongs.com/ 

SOCIAL HANDLES:
FB: @irishmusicfilm
IG: @thejobofsongs 

A group of musicians sit in a warm pub playing music and laughing. 

Location: Fitz’s Pub in Doolin, County Clare, Ireland 

Left to right: Eoin O’Neill, Kieran O’Connell, Adam Shapiro Christy Mc Namara, Beth Tipton 

Photo credit: Anika Kan Grevstad
A group of musicians sit in a warm pub playing music and laughing. Location: Fitz’s Pub in Doolin, County Clare, Ireland Left to right: Eoin O’Neill, Kieran O’Connell, Adam Shapiro Christy Mc Namara, Beth Tipton Photo credit: Anika Kan Grevstad

On Digital Platforms Tuesday, November 21,2023
Director and Writer:
Lila Schmitz 
Featuring: Katie Theasby, Luka Bloom, The Fiddle Case, Christy McNamara, Christy Barry-Doolin Music House, Anne Rynne, Yvonne Casey, Tunes From Doolin 
Genre: Documentary 
Run time: 1 hour 14 minutes 
Cinematographer: Anika Kan Grevstad  
Producers: Fengyi Xu,  Anika Kan Grevstad and Lila Schmitz 
Executive Producer Bill Guttentag  
Consulting Producer: Doug Pray  
Editor: Lila Schmitz 
Distributor: Gravitas Ventures 

THE JOB OF SONGS: Review

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Release date: Opening on Digital Platforms on November 21, 2023
Director and Writer: Lila Schmitz
Featuring: Katie Theasby, Luka Bloom, The Fiddle Case, Christy McNamara, Christy Barry-Doolin Music House, Anne Rynne, Yvonne Casey, Tunes From Doolin
Genre: Documentary
Rating: Not Rated
Run time: 1 hour 13 minutes
Language: English
Country: Ireland 

Music Connects Us to Our Past and to the Future

Writer, producer and director Lila Schmitz’s feature film debut, THE JOB OF SONGS tells the captivating story of Doolin, County Clare, Ireland’s vibrant history of songs, their musical instruments of choice, the fiddle and flute, going back a millennium, with the spectacular beauty of The Cliffs of Moher as its backdrop. Helping to share the wonderful music of Doolin are Katie Theasby, Luka Bloom, The Fiddle Case, Christy McNamara, Christy Barry-Doolin Music House, Anne Rynne, Yvonne Casey, and featuring Tunes from Doolin. 

Worth noting, in addition to Lili, THE JOB OF SONGS, was headed by two other women, Anika Kan Grestad, director of photography and producer) and FENGYI XU producer.  Also making  their feature film debut. 

The Cliffs of Moher meet the blue-grey water and the ominous clouds.
Location: Cliffs of Moher, County Clare, Ireland
Photo Credit: Anika Kan Grevstad
The Cliffs of Moher meet the blue-grey water and the ominous clouds. Location: Cliffs of Moher, County Clare, Ireland Photo Credit: Anika Kan Grevstad

Luca Bloom, “the job of song is sometimes to entertain, but it has this way of giving people who don’t have songs, permission to feel things that are really deeply ingrained in them that they don’t necessary intellectually understand.’ 

Anika Kan Grevstad  brings you right into the pubs, on the cliffs and into the homes of Doolin’s residents. The music score and performances are well incorporated into the film, helping to tell the story.

The natural settings of pubs, the Roadside Tavern in Lisdoonvarna, County Clare, Irelands and the Fitz’s Pub in Doolin, County Clare, Ireland, where Eoin O’Neill, Kieran O’Connell, Adam Shapiro Christy Mc Namara, Beth Tipton they gather; rhe Music house established by the parents of Christy Barry, and the homes of Doolin’s resident and the majestic Cliffs of Moher, adds to the captivating experience while watching THE JOB OF SONGS.  

A woman with bright red hair plays the flute next to a bright window.
Location: The Roadside Tavern in Lisdoonvarna, County Clare, Ireland
Subject: Katie Theasby
Photo Credit: Anika Kan Grevstad
A woman with bright red hair plays the flute next to a bright window. Location: The Roadside Tavern in Lisdoonvarna, County Clare, Ireland Subject: Katie Theasby Photo Credit: Anika Kan Grevstad

Christy Barry, “no one knows for certain the effect music has on people but without it, we have nothing.” That is so evident, as shown by the impact on the daily life of Doolin. 

As you learn about their 1000 years of songs and tradition still being handed down and the music they are creating today, keeps the the people of Doolin in close contact with their ancestors and future generations. THE JOB OF SONGS is a really good film that will both entertain and enlighten. leaving you with a greater understanding and appreciation of  the music and culture of Doolin, Ireland.  

Opening on Digital Platforms on November 21, 2023
Distributor: Gravitas Ventures
Director and Writer: Lila Schmitz
Featuring: Katie Theasby, Luka Bloom, The Fiddle Case, Christy McNamara, Christy Barry-Doolin Music House, Anne Rynne, Yvonne Casey, Tunes from Doolin
Genre: Documentary. Music
Run time: 1 hour 14 minutes
Cinematographer: Anika Kan Grevstad
Producers: Fengyi Xu, Anika Kan Grevstad and Lila Schmitz
Executive Producer Bill Guttentag
Consulting Producer: Doug Pray
Editor: Lila Schmitz
 

For more information, go to: https://thejobofsongs.com/ 

SOCIAL HANDLES:
FB: @irishmusicfilm
IG: @thejobofsongs 

THE COLOR PURPLE 2023  Starring Taraji P. Henson, Fantasia Opens in Theatres December 25th

Release date: December 25, 2023 
Director: Blitz Bazawule 
Writers: Marcus Gardley, Alice Walker, Marsha Norman 
Screenplay: Marcus Gardley 
Based on the novel by Alice Walker and based on the musical stage play, book (of the musical stage play) by Marsha Norman, music and lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray 
Starring : Starring: Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, H.E.R., Halle Bailey, Phylicia Pearl Mpasi, Fantasia Barrino, Ciara 
Genre: Musical coming- of-age period drama 
Rating: PG-13 
Runtime: 2 hours 25 minutes 
Language: English 
Country: United States 

Opening exclusively in theaters in North America on December 25th and internationally beginning on January 18th 

ABOUT THE COLOR PURPLE 

Produced by Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Scott Sanders and Quincy Jones, “The Color Purple” is a bold new take on the classic story of love and resilience, adapted from the beloved novel and the Broadway musical.  Torn apart from her sister and her children, Celie faces many hardships in her life, but ultimately learns to find extraordinary strength in the unbreakable bonds of a new kind of sisterhood.  

“The Color Purple” stars Oscar nominee Taraji P. Henson (“The Curious Case of Benjamin Button”), SAG Award winner and Tony Award nominee Danielle Brooks (“The Color Purple,” “Orange Is the New Black”), Tony nominee and Emmy Award winner Colman Domingo (“Euphoria,” “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”), Tony Award nominee Corey Hawkins (“Six Degrees of Separation,” “In the Heights”), Oscar- and Grammy-winning artist H.E.R. (“Judas and the Black Messiah”), Grammy nominee Halle Bailey (“The Little Mermaid”), Oscar nominee Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor (“King Richard,” “Ray”), and Grammy-winning artist Fantasia Barrino in her major motion picture debut.  

“The Color Purple” is directed by Blitz Bazawule, a multi-media artist who was a co-director on Beyonce’s Black is King and made his feature debut with the critically acclaimed Afrofuturistic The Burial of Kojo. The screenplay is by acclaimed playwright Marcus Gardley, who won a WGA Award for “Maid.”  His script is based on the novel by Alice Walker and based on the musical stage play, book (of the musical stage play) by Marsha Norman, music and lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray. 

Joining director Bazawule behind the camera are a roster of acclaimed artisans, including Oscar-nominated director of photography Dan Laustsen (“The Shape of Water”), Oscar-winning production designer Paul Denham Austerberry (“The Shape of Water”), editor Jon Poll (“Bombshell,” “Meet the Parents”), costume designer Francine Jamison-Tanchuck (“Glory,” “One Night in Miami…”) and choreographer Fatima Robinson (“Dreamgirls”).  The music is by Oscar nominee Kris Bowers (“King Richard,” “Green Book,” documentary short “A Concerto Is a Conversation”).
Warner Bros. Pictures Presents, In Association with Domain Entertainment, An Amblin Entertainment Production, An OW Films Production, An SGS Pictures Production/A QJP Production, “The Color Purple.” It will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures and is set to open in theaters in North America on December 25, 2023 and internationally beginning 18 January 2024.  

#TheColorPurple 

Release Date: December 25, 2023
Distributor Worldwide: Warner Bros.
Production Co: Harpo Films, Amblin Entertainment, Scott Sanders Productions, Quincy Jones Productions
Director: Blitz Bazawule
Writers: Marcus Gardley, Alice Walker, Marsha Norman
Screenplay: Marcus Gardley
Starring: Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins, H.E.R., Halle Bailey, Phylicia Pearl Mpasi, Fantasia Barrino
Producers: Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Scott Sanders, Quincy Jones
Executive Producers: Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Quincy Jones
Cinematography: Dan Laustsen
Editor: Jon Poll
Composer: Kris Bowers
Re-Recording Mixer: Paul Massey
Songwriters: Denisia “Blu” Andrews, Brittany “Chi” Coney
Costume Designers: Hooch Aller. Ager Dyer. Christina Battaglia.
Runtime: 2 hours 25 minutes
 
 

THE AFRICAN AMERICAN FILM CRITICS ASSOCIATION (AAFCA) SETS DECEMBER 3RD FOR  THE 5TH ANNUAL AAFCA TV HONORS

RECOGNIZING OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS IN TELEVISION AND STREAMING 

AAFCA WILL CELEBRATE ITS PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED WINNERS AT A PRIVATE LUNCHEON AT THE HOTEL CASA DEL MAR IN SANTA MONICA QUINTA BRUNSON, NIECY NASH-BETTS, “P-VALLEY,” JESSICA WILLIAMS, “TED LASSO,” JENNIFER HUDSON,  MARLA GIBBS AND DEBBIE ALLEN AMONG THOSE TO BE CELEBRATED

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LOS ANGELES, Nov. 10, 2023 – The African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) today announced a new date to celebrate its previously announced AAFCA TV Honors winners. The private, invitation-only event was previously scheduled for August 27th but was postponed due to the strike and will now be held on December 3rd at the Hotel Casa del Mar in Santa Monica, California.

Presented by the African American Film Critics Association the AAFCA TV Honors recognize outstanding achievements in Broadcast Television and Streaming with a special emphasis on entertainment representing the Black diaspora.  Previously announced winners include Quinta Brunson, the cast of “P-Valley,” Jessica WilliamsDebbie AllenNiecy Nash-Betts, “The 1619 Project” and many more. Special honorees include Jennifer Hudson, who will receive the We See You Award, Delroy Lindo, who will receive the Legacy Award, and five-time Emmy® nominee Marla Gibbs who will receive the Legend Award.  The Apple TV+ show “Ted Lasso'' will receive the Inclusion Award, and CBS’ “S.W.A.T.,'' produced by Sony Pictures Television in association with CBS Studios, will receive the Impact Award.

"We are happy that our industry can take a collective sigh of relief and get back to work, " stated AAFCA co-founder and president Gil Robertson. “We love a good party here at AAFCA and we’re going to pull out all the stops to celebrate our winners and honorees.  With the industry in flux for so many months, we’re really looking forward to finally getting to recognize and celebrate these incredible talents.”

A full list of previously announced  winners follows:

2023 AAFCA TV HONORS AWARD RECIPIENTS:

  • BEST TV COMEDY - "Abbott Elementary" (ABC)

  • BEST TV DRAMA - "P-Valley" (Starz)

  • BEST NEW SHOW - "Mo" (Netflix) 

  • BEST DOCUMENTARY - "The 1619 Project" (Onyx Collective/Hulu) 

  • BEST LIMITED SERIES - "The Best Man: The Final Chapters" (Peacock)

  • BEST TV MOVIE - “Shooting Stars” (Peacock)  

  • BREAKOUT STAR - Jessica Williams - “Shrinking” (Apple TV+)

  • BEST ENSEMBLE - "P-Valley" (Starz) 

  • BEST TV WRITING - Quinta Brunson - “Abbott Elementary” (ABC) 

  • BEST TV DIRECTING - Mary Lou Belli, Debbie Allen, Tasha Smith, Henry Chan, Jordan E. Cooper - "The Ms. Pat Show" (BET+) 

  • BEST TV ACTING (Female) - Niecy Nash-Betts - “Dahmer - Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story” (Netflix)  

  • BEST TV ACTING (Male) - J. Alphonse Nicholson and Nicco Annan - "P-Valley" (Starz) 

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.

Watch New Clip: KING OF KILLERS (Lionsgate)  on Blu-ray™ and DVD October 31st

KING OF KILLERS-US POSTER (Lionsgate)

Release Date: Available on Blu-ray™ and DVD on October 31st
Director and Writer:
Kevin Grevioux
Genre:
  Action
Rating:
Runtime: 1 hour 32 minutes 
Cast: Alain Moussi (Nobody), Marie Avgeropoulos (“The 100,” 50/50), Georges St-Pierre ( Captain America: The Winter Soldier),  Stephen Dorff (Blade, Old Henry), Frank Grillo (Captain America: The Winter Soldier), Kevin Grevioux (Underworld)             

Based on a graphic novel by writer-director Kevin Grevioux, King of Killers follows former Agency hit man Marcus Garan (Alain Moussi) as he attempts to unravel the mystery behind a tragic incident. When offered a $10 million contract to eliminate the world’s greatest assassin, Marcus travels to Tokyo to meet the client (Frank Grillo), but discovers other professional killers have been invited as well. Now Marcus and the others must confront this deadly, mythical assassin…or die trying. 

American Fiction: Review 

No Matter What Challenges and Stereotypes You Face in Life, You Are Not Immune from the Challenges Within Your Own Family 

Release dates: December 15, 2023 (United States)
Director:  Cord Jefferson
Screenplay:Cord Jefferson
Based on Erasure by Percival Everett
Starring: Jeffrey Wright, Tracee Ellis Ross, John Ortiz, Erika Alexander, Leslie Uggams,  Adam Brody, Keith David, Issa Rae, Sterling K. Brown
Genre: Comedy, drama
Run time: 1 hour 57 minutes
Country: United States
Language: English 

Director and writer Cord Jefferson theatrical directorial debut ‘American Fiction’, based on the 2001 novel Erasure by Percival Everett, tells the challenges of writer and academic Thelonious "Monk" Ellison   Jeffrey Wright) as he tries to comes to terms with the success and fame of writers/authors, especially  Sinatra Golden (Issa Rae) whose books are full of all the stereotypes about African American while at the same time trying to cope with family dynamic with his sister  Lisa Ellison (Tracee Ellis Ross), brother Clifford "Cliff" Ellison (Sterling K. Brown), his mother Agnes Ellison Leslie Uggams and affairs of the heart with Coraline (Erika Alexander). 

American Fiction takes you through the up and downs of family life. You can share in the tough times of loss and the good times of celebration. It shows that being educated with financial means does not shield you from life’s trials and tribulations. 

We are reminded of the importance of being seen and having our humanity acknowledged during a conversation between Monk and Cliff. 

Monk said, “what if he rejected you? Referring to their father. Cliff, “at least he would have rejected the real me.” 

Cord’s script finds a visually interesting way of bringing Monk’s characters Willey the Wonker (Keith David) along with his son, to life as he drafts his book full of African American stereotypes. It is like a live play within the film. This style used through-out brought added dimension to the film 

The beautiful setting of his home state of Massachusetts, his family home and beach house shows without words  the upper middle-class lifestyle that Monk and his family enjoyed. 

As Monk struggles to understand the value in Sinatra Golden’s successful book He has a conversation with Sinatra and refers to the potential of a writer when Sinatra said, “potential is what they see when they think a person is not good enough.”  

There is so much truth in her statement. It makes you think about the stereotype people hold that lets you know they do not think highly of the people they demean. how non-minorities think of people of color 

 About Jefferey Cord

Jefferey Cord’s T.V. credits include Succession, The Good Place, Master of None, and his 2020 Emmy winning episode This Extraordinary Being. He began his writing career with publications The Ringer, GQ, the New Yorker, and later serving as the editor of Gawker .

Production companies: Orion Pictures, MRC Film, T-Street Productions, 3 Arts Entertainment
Distributors: Amazon MGM Studios
Release dates: December 15, 2023 (United States)
Run time: 1 hour 57 minutes
Country: United States
Language: English
Director:  Cord Jefferson
Screenplay:Cord Jefferson
Based on Erasure by Percival Everett
Producers: Cord Jefferson, Jermaine Johnson, Nikos Karamigios, Ben LeClair
Starring: Jeffrey Wright, Tracee Ellis Ross, John Ortiz, Erika Alexander, Leslie Uggams,  Adam Brody, Keith David, Issa Rae, Sterling K. Brown
Cinematographer: Cristina Dunlap
Editor: Hilda Rasula
Music: Laura Karpman