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LOS ANGELES — The Critics Choice Association has unveiled its honorees for the 8th annual Celebration of Black Cinema & Television, scheduled for December 9 in Los Angeles. Hosted by comedian and actor Jay Pharoah, this event shines a spotlight on the remarkable achievements of the Black entertainment community within both film and television.
Sterling K. Brown is set to receive the Actor Award – Series, applauding his impressive work in Hulu’s “Paradise.” Brown’s performance has already garnered nominations from the Emmy and Gotham TV Awards. Beyond acting, he is also an executive producer on the show, which is eagerly anticipated to return for its second season in early 2026.
Janelle James, a standout star of ABC’s popular comedy “Abbott Elementary,” will be recognized with the Comedy Award. Her role in the show, produced by Warner Bros. Television and 20th Television, has earned her multiple Emmy nominations and an NAACP Image Award.
Tessa Thompson will be honored with the Actress Award – Film for her role in “Hedda,” a modern adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s renowned play. The film, produced by Amazon MGM Studios, was met with critical acclaim upon its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.
In the category of ensemble performances, Teyana Taylor will share the Ensemble Award with Regina Hall and Chase Infiniti for their roles in the action comedy “One Battle After Another,” a Warner Bros. Pictures production. Taylor is also currently starring in Hulu’s new legal drama, “All’s Fair.”
Jurnee Smollett will be honored with the Actress Award – Series for her role in Apple TV’s “Smoke.” Smollett continues to build a career defined by fearless, genre-spanning performances in projects such as “Lovecraft Country” and “Birds of Prey.”
Skye P. Marshall will receive the Supporting Actress Award – Series for her role in CBS’s “Matlock.” The recognition includes a STARZ #TakeTheLead designation, celebrating underrepresented voices in television.
Tenika Davis will receive the Breakthrough Performance Award for her role as Achillia in STARZ’s “Spartacus: House of Ashur,” premiering Dec. 5 on the platform.
Academy Award winner Spike Lee will receive the Career Achievement Award for his four-decade impact on film, including classics like “Do the Right Thing,” “Malcolm X” and “Da 5 Bloods.” Lee was most recently behind the A24 and Apple Original Films release “Highest 2 Lowest.”
Ryan Coogler will be honored with the Director Award for “Sinners,” his record-breaking Warner Bros. Pictures release filmed in both IMAX 70mm and Ultra Panavision 65.
David Alan Grier will receive the Vanguard Award for his career spanning stage, screen and television, including his Critics Choice-nominated role in NBC’s “St. Denis Medical.”
Reginald Hudlin and Shola Lynch will share the Documentary Award for Apple TV’s “Number One on the Call Sheet,” which spotlights Black achievement in Hollywood.
Damson Idris will receive the Supporting Actor Award – Film for his performance in Apple Original Films’ “F1,” the top-grossing film by Apple Studios to date.
Additional honorees include Naya Desir-Johnson, Rising Star Award for “Sarah’s Oil” (Amazon MGM Studios) and Aiyana-Lee, musical performance from “Highest 2 Lowest.”
“It’s truly an honor to continue our tradition of celebrating excellence in Black cinema and television,” said Shawn Edwards, executive producer of the Celebration. “This year recognizes both legends like Spike Lee and the new generation of storytellers shaping the culture.”
The event will be produced by Madelyn Hammond and Javier Infante of Hammond Infante Productions. Sponsors include STARZ #TakeTheLead, Milagro Tequila, Fairmont Century Plaza, IMDbPro and Conduiit, with partners NEP Sweetwater and FIJI Water.
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