AAFCA SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

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The African American Film Critics Association’s Special Achievement Awards recognize individuals, productions and organizations for career achievement in advancing excellence and inclusion in the film and television industries. Past honorees include HBO president, Len Amato; actor, Edward James Olmos; The Blacklist founder, Franklin Leonard; LA Times Film Critic Justin Chang; legendary Disney animator, Floyd Norman and Netflix executive Tendo Ngenda and director Jon Chu.

Press Release

The African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) Announces the AAFCA 2024 Special Achievement Awards Recipients: Jamie Foxx, Datari Turner, Fatima Robinson, Michael Latt, Deon Taylor, Killers of the Flower Moon and Delta Airlines

Awards will be handed out at the 7th Annual AAFCA Special Achievement Awards Luncheon on March 3rd at the Los Angeles Athletic Club

LOS ANGELES, January 11, 2024 – The African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) is proud to reveal its esteemed list of 2024 Special Achievement Honorees chosen for their prolific contributions to the entertainment industry. These outstanding honorees will be celebrated at the organization’s 7th Annual AAFCA Special Achievement Awards luncheon, taking place on Sunday, March 3rd in the Centennial Room at the Los Angeles Athletic Club in downtown Los Angeles.

The intimate, invitation-only luncheon will bestow honors upon the feature film KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON, which will receive the Stanley & Karen Kramer Social Justice Award which shines a light on the true story of the infamous Osage Nation murders.

Jamie Foxx and Datari Turner, the producing duo behind Foxxhole Productions, will be honored with AAFCA’s Producers Award for their exceptional work on three high-profile films released in 2023: “They Cloned Tyrone,” “Story Ave,” and “The Burial,” along with Foxxhole’s commitment to telling inclusive stories.

Renowned choreographer Fatima Robinson will be presented with AAFCA’s Salute to Excellence Award, recognizing her outstanding contributions to the art of choreography, including her work on “The Color Purple.”

The late Michael Latt will receive the inaugural Freedom Award, established in his honor, recognizing his legacy as an exceptional marketing strategist, thought leader, and founder of Lead With Love. His passionate advocacy for amplifying underrepresented stories and using art to foster hope, understanding and healing among communities through the cinematic arts will be celebrated at the event with his family accepting the honor on his behalf.

Filmmaker Deon Taylor will be honored with the Horizon Award which spotlights and celebrates a talent on the rise. Already an established filmmaker, known for founding Hidden Empire Film Group and directing genre-bending thrillers like “Chain Letter” and “Traffik,” Taylor’s upcoming projects include “Free Agents” for Tristar and biopics on civil rights activist and congressman John Lewis and boxer Floyd Mayweather.

Finally, Delta Airlines will be honored with AAFCA’s Film Advocate Award in recognition of their commitment to diversity in entertainment offered aboard Delta flights and embracing emerging filmmakers with their programming.

“Our list this year includes titans and trailblazers whose work has transformed the cinematic arts,” states AAFCA President and Co-Founder Gil Robertson. “Their work leaves us in awe of their incredible achievements and inspires us to move forward in all our endeavors with passion, creativity and determination. AAFCA looks forward to celebrating them.”

Recipients of the AAFCA Special Achievement Awards are carefully selected by a committee and chosen based on their contributions throughout their careers. These honorees represent excellence both behind and in front of the camera, including executives, journalists, actors, crafts artists, and filmmakers.

Previous AAFCA Special Achievement Awards honorees include Ruth Carter, Jason Blum, Edward James Olmos, Pearlena Igbokwe, Channing Dungey, Sherry Lansing, John M. Chu, and Wesley Morris, among others.

In The Press

AAFCA Special Achievement Awards Will Honor Killers Of The Flower Moon, Foxxhole Productions, Fatima Robinson And More – Deadline

African American Film Critics Association to honor Jamie Foxx … – GoldDerby

AAFCA Reveals 2024 Special Achievement Honorees – The Hollywood Reporter

African American Film Critics Association To Honor Hollywood Luminaries At 7th Annual Special Achievement Awards Luncheon – Black Enterprise

What People Are Saying

“The Bentonville Film Festival, BFF, is honored to partner with AFFCA, the African American Film Critics Association because the stories we see on screen matter. Having AFFCA as a partner from day one only strengthens our mutual commitment to showcase and celebrate films that better reflect the world around us. The AFFCA Seal of Approval is a great way to communicate to the consumer the quality of the film they are about to see. They have a very high standard in choosing films to endorse and we are honored they are supporting some of our best films.”

Wendy Guerrero, Festival Director, Bentonville Film Festival

“Outfest is thrilled to be collaborating with the African American Film Critics Association and we are grateful to our board member Chiedu Egbuniwe for forging the alliance. Our organizations have already partnered on two very successful events this year and we’re looking forward to joining forces again this July during the 34th iteration of the Outfest Los Angeles LGBT Film Festival. Outfest and the AAFCA share a mutual understanding of how important it is to connect with and bring together the African American LGBT community.”

Lucy Mukerjee-Brown, Director of Programming, Outfest

“The Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) has had a longstanding relationship with the African American Film Critics Association. Since AAFCA’s beginning, it has consistently contributed high quality panels and workshops, introducing our audience to movers and shakers in the film critic’s arena. Their contribution has meant that our storytellers have access to members of the media who can help champion their stories. And, they get an opportunity to meet them in an informal atmosphere that promotes networking and meaningful conversation. As the largest and one of the oldest African American Film Festival in the country, PAFF bears a special responsibility to give back to the community of African American storytellers and artists. AAFCA’s contribution has been an essential piece in the execution of that responsibility.”