The African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) has officially unveiled the winners of its 17th annual awards, celebrating the year’s most impactful cinema, and it was a landmark evening for Damson Idris. The F1 star earned the award for Best Supporting Actor, marking a major recognition for his performance in the highly anticipated racing drama.
The awards, set to be celebrated February 8 at The Maybourne Beverly Hills, highlight storytelling that pushed boundaries, represented diverse narratives, and left a lasting mark on audiences.
AAFCA president and co-founder Gil Robertson emphasized the significance of this year’s honorees, noting, “The cinematic voices recognized this year remind us of the power of film to challenge, inspire, and unite.”
In F1, Idris delivered a standout performance. His portrayal has sparked awards-season buzz since the film’s premiere, and AAFCA’s recognition further cements Idris as one of Hollywood’s most compelling young actors.
While Idris made headlines in the supporting category, Ryan Coogler’s Sinners proved to be the evening’s biggest winner, topping the list with eight total honors, including Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor (Michael B. Jordan), and Best Writing. Coogler’s film continues to dominate awards discussions following its box-office success and critical acclaim.
AAFCA’s Top 10 Films of the Year
- Sinners (Warner Bros.)
- One Battle After Another (Warner Bros.)
- Hedda (Amazon MGM)
- Frankenstein (Netflix)
- Hamnet (Focus Features)
- Wicked: For Good (Universal Pictures)
- F1 (Apple/Warner Bros.)
- One of Them Days (Sony Pictures Releasing)
- The Knife (Relativity Media)
- The Smashing Machine (A24)
AAFCA 2026 Award Winners
BEST ACTOR – Michael B. Jordan, Sinners
BEST ACTRESS – Tessa Thompson, Hedda
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS – Wunmi Mosaku, Sinners
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR – Damson Idris, F1
BEST DOCUMENTARY – The Perfect Neighbor
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE – KPop Demon Hunters
BEST DIRECTOR – Ryan Coogler, Sinners
BEST WRITING – Ryan Coogler, Sinners
EMERGING FACE (ACTOR) – Miles Caton, Sinners
EMERGING FACE (ACTRESS) – Chase Infiniti, One Battle After Another
BEST INDEPENDENT FEATURE – Hedda
BEST ENSEMBLE – Sinners
BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT – The Rebel Girls
BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT – Hoops, Hopes & Dreams
BEST ANIMATED SHORT – Black Man, Black Man
BEST MUSIC – Ludwig Göransson, Sinners
