The Critics Choice Association has announced its full list of honorees for the 9th Annual Celebration of Black Cinema & Television, taking place Monday, November 16, with Emmy-nominated comedian and actor Roy Wood Jr. serving as host.

The event recognizes standout work both on screen and behind the camera, and will premiere on the Critics Choice Association’s official YouTube channel in December.

Chiwetel Ejiofor leads this year’s class set to receive the Vanguard Award for A24’s psychological horror film Backrooms. Directed by Kane Parsons and adapted from his viral YouTube series, the film opened to $81.4 million domestically, breaking A24’s opening weekend record, and has earned more than $400 million worldwide to become the studio’s highest-grossing film ever.

Chris Rock will take home the Director Award for A24’s Misty Green, his fourth narrative feature as a director. Rock also wrote, produced and co-stars in the film, which follows an actress, played by Rosalind Eleazar, fighting to revive her career.

Jaafar Jackson will receive the Actor Award, Film for his portrayal of his uncle Michael Jackson in Lionsgate’s Michael. The role marks his acting debut, and the film became the first biopic of any kind to gross more than $1 billion worldwide and the most successful release in Lionsgate history.

The evening will also honor two women who have shaped what Black television looks like across generations. Debbie Allen will receive the Icon Award for a career spanning nearly five decades and more than 140 acting, producing and directing credits. Her tribute will celebrate A Different World, the groundbreaking series she produced and directed 83 of its 144 episodes, along with its 2026 Netflix sequel, where she returns as executive producer, director and Dr. Langhorne. The sequel has already been renewed for a second season.

Quinta Brunson will receive the Groundbreaker Award for creating, executive producing and starring in ABC’s Abbott Elementary, now in its sixth season with 37 Emmy nominations to date. Brunson made history in 2022 as the first solo Black woman to win an Emmy for comedy writing.

On the series side, Anthony Mackie will receive the Actor Award – Series for Apple TV’s upcoming heist drama 12 12 12, which he also executive produces and which premieres November 13. Lamorne Morris will receive the Comedy Award for playing Robbie Robertson in Prime Video’s Spider-Noir, which won five Emmys this year.

Pulitzer Prize winner Katori Hall will be honored with the Showrunner Award for STARZ’s P-Valley, which returns December 4 for its third and final season. Ato Essandoh will receive the Supporting Actor Award – Series for Netflix’s The Diplomat. Quincy Tyler Bernstine will receive the Supporting Actress Award – Series for Hulu’s Furious.

In film, Stephan James will receive the Supporting Actor Award – Film for playing Carl Weathers in Amazon MGM Studios’ I Play Rocky, directed by Peter Farrelly. Sophie Okonedo will receive the Supporting Actress Award – Film for the coming-of-age drama Mouse.

Brothers Arie and Chuko Esiri will receive the Breakthrough Director Award for NEON’s Clarissa, a reimagining of Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway set in contemporary Lagos. The film stars Okonedo alongside David Oyelowo and Ayo Edebiri, and it became only the second Nigerian feature ever selected for the Cannes Film Festival. Rounding out the class, Jaalen Best will receive the Rising Star Award for playing Cassius Clay in Prime Video’s The Greatest, the first authorized scripted series about Muhammad Ali, premiering November 4.