The Harder They Fall and King Richard won the top honors with the African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) 2021 Awards taking four awards each. The Harder They Fall was named Best Picture of 2021 along with Best Ensemble and Best Director for Jeymes Samuel. King Richard took top acting honors including Best Actor for Will Smith, Supporting Actress for Aunjanue Ellis, Breakout Actor for Saniyya Sidney, along with Emerging Director for Reinaldo Marcus Green.

Other winners included Who We Are for Best Independent Feature and Summer of Soul for Best Documentary.

Winners will be celebrated at the 13th Annual AAFCA Awards on March 2nd at the SLS Hotel in Los Angeles.

“It’s been a fantastic year for film,” said AAFCA president and co-founder Gil Robertson. “Just having passed the two-year mark of a global pandemic, great entertainment means more to all of us than ever before. This year’s AAFCA winners not only entertained us, but educated and inspired us and we’re looking forward to celebrating them at the AAFCA Awards.”

Winners of African American Film Critics Association 2021 Awards

The complete list of winners of the African American Film Critics Association awards

Top 10 Films

1. The Harder They Fall
2. King Richard
3. Respect
4. The Tragedy of Macbeth
5. Passing
6. Belfast
7. Who We Are
8. House of Gucci
9. The Power of the Dog
10. West Side Story

Best Picture: The Harder They Fall

Best Director: Jeymes Samuel (The Harder They Fall)

Best Screenplay: Don’t Look Up (Adam McKay)

Best Actor: Will Smith (King Richard)

Best Actress: Jennifer Hudson (Respect)

Best Supporting Actor: Corey Hawkins (The Tragedy of Macbeth)

Best Supporting Actress: Aunjanue Ellis (King Richard)

Breakout Actor: Saniyya Sidney (King Richard)

Best Ensemble: The Harder They Fall

Emerging Director: Reinaldo Marcus Green (King Richard)

Best Music: The Harder They Fall (Jeymes Samuel, Kid Cudi, Jay-Z)

Best Independent Feature: Who We Are

Best Documentary: Summer of Soul