LOS ANGELES – The Critics’ Choice Association (CCA) has announced the complete list of honorees for its 8th annual Celebration of Black Cinema & Television, which is scheduled to occur on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, in Los Angeles. Recognized for honoring exceptional contributions from the Black entertainment community both in front of and behind the camera, will once again be hosted by actor, musician, and comedian Jay Pharoah, who is well-known for his performances on Saturday Night Live, his comedy special “Jared,” and Fox’s “The Quiz with Balls.” STARZ will act as the official media partner.
The impressive lineup of honorees includes:
- Career Achievement Award: Academy Award-winning writer-director Spike Lee, recognized for his indelible mark on popular culture over the last four decades with films like “She’s Gotta Have It,” “Do the Right Thing,” “Malcolm X,” “Da 5 Bloods,” and his most recent project, “Highest 2 Lowest.” Lee is also known for his Emmy-winning documentary about Hurricane Katrina, “If God Is Willing and Da Creek Don’t Rise,” and the Oscar-nominated documentary “4 Little Girls.
- Vanguard Award: Tony Award winner David Alan Grier, celebrated for his versatile career across stage, screen, and television, including his recent Critics’ Choice and NAACP Image Award-nominated role on NBC & Universal Television’s “St. Denis Medical.” From “In Living Color” to Broadway’s “Race” and “A Soldier’s Play,” Grier’s impact has been consistently remarkable.
- Director Award: Academy Award nominee Ryan Coogler, honored for his work on Warner Bros. Pictures’ “Sinners,” lauded as an incredible cinematic achievement filmed in both IMAX 70mm and Ultra Panavision 65. Coogler’s past work includes “Fruitvale Station,” “Creed,” “Black Panther,” and “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.”
- Documentary Award: Oscar- and Emmy-nominated director-producer Reginald Hudlin and Peabody, Emmy, and NAACP Image Award-winning director Shola Lynch will be jointly honored on behalf of Apple TV’s “Number One on the Call Sheet.” This two-part documentary, featuring acclaimed storytellers Jamie Foxx and Eddie Murphy, shines a light on Black achievement and excellence in the film industry.
- Comedy Award: Janelle James, celebrated for her work on ABC’s “Abbott Elementary,” for which she has won a Screen Actors Guild Award, NAACP Image Award, and received four Emmy Award nominations.
- Actress Award – Film: Tessa Thompson, recognized for her performance as the titular iconic feminist in Nia DaCosta’s “Hedda” for Amazon MGM Studios. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival.
- Actor Award – Series: Three-time Emmy Award winner Sterling K. Brown, honored for his work in Hulu’s “Paradise,” for which he has been nominated for an Emmy and a Gotham TV Award. Brown also serves as an executive producer on the series.
- Actress Award – Series: Emmy Award nominee and Critics’ Choice Award winner Jurnee Smollett, celebrated for her work in Apple TV’s “Smoke,” adding to a career of genre-spanning roles.
- Ensemble Award: Regina Hall, Teyana Taylor, and Chase Infiniti of Warner Bros. Pictures’ action comedy “One Battle After Another,” in which each actress delivers a distinct and unforgettable performance.
- Supporting Actor Award – Film: NAACP Award winner Damson Idris, recognized for his work in Apple Original Films’ “F1.”
- Supporting Actress Award – Series: Critics’ Choice Award nominee Skye P. Marshall, honored for her work in CBS’s “Matlock.” STARZ will present Marshall’s award with a special STARZ #TakeTheLead designation, reflecting their commitment to amplifying narratives by and for women and underrepresented audiences.
- Breakthrough Performance Award: Tenika Davis, recognized for her work in STARZ’s “Spartacus: House of Ashur,” where she plays the Spartacus franchise’s first female gladiator.
- Rising Star Award: Naya Desir-Johnson, celebrated for her performance in Amazon MGM Studios’ “Sarah’s Oil.”
Adding to the evening’s festivities, singer-songwriter Aiyana-Lee will perform her song from “Highest 2 Lowest,” where she portrays an aspiring musician.
“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 of Black Cinema & Television. “This has been a banner year where Spike Lee — the godfather of contemporary cinema — continued to inspire with his groundbreaking vision; Ryan Coogler represented the next generation of visionary filmmakers reshaping the culture with Sinners, and a record number of Black women created unprecedented impact with a wide range of diverse and high-profile roles.”
The Critics Choice Celebration of Black Cinema and Television awards show is set to air and stream exclusively on STARZ in early 2026.
