It will be a night of shining stars as the 8th Annual Celebration of Black Cinema & Television, with several of Hollywood’s biggest names set to be honored by the Critics’ Choice Association this year.
Legendary director Spike Lee will receive the “Career Achievement Award” in recognition of his extraordinary body of work that has made an indelible mark on popular culture over the last four decades, including his recent acclaimed film Highest 2 Lowest.
Fellow director Ryan Coogler will be given the Director Award for his work on Sinners. Fellow Emmy and Oscar-nominated director-producer Reginald Hudlin and NAACP Image Award-winning director Shola Lynch will both be recognized with the “Documentary Award” on behalf of Apple TV’s Number One on the Call Sheet.
“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.”
Several actors across TV and film are also being recognized for their extraordinary contributions, both in front of and behind the camera. Academy Award nominee and three-time Emmy Award winner Sterling K. Brown will be honored with the “Actor Award – Series” for his work with Hulu’s Paradise as its lead star and executive producer. Emmy Award nominee and Critics’ Choice Award winner Jurnee Smollett will receive the “Actress Award – Series” for her work in Apple TV’s Smoke.
Janelle James will accept this year’s “Comedy Award” for her work on ABC’s Abbott Elementary, a role for which she has won a Screen Actors Guild Award and NAACP Image Award. The series is currently in its fifth season.
Tessa Thompson will accept the “Actress Award – Film” for her performance as the titular iconic feminist in Nia DaCosta’s Hedda, in theaters on October 22.
Regina Hall, Teyana Taylor, and Chase Infiniti are receiving the “Ensemble Award” for their work in the film One Battle After Another.
Tony Award winner David Alan Grier will receive the “Vanguard Award” in recognition of his remarkable career across stage, screen, and television and for his most recent work on NBC’s St. Denis Medical, which earned him a Critics’ Choice Award earlier this year.
Other award winners include Damson Idris (“Supporting Actor Award” – Film for F1), Naya Desir-Johnson (“Rising Star Award” for Sarah’s Oil), Tenika Davis (“Breakthrough Performance Award” for Spartacus: House of Ashur) and Skye P. Marshall (“Supporting Actress Award – Series” for Matlock). Marshall will also receive the STARZ #TakeTheLead designation as part of its ongoing commitment to amplifying narratives by, about, and for women and underrepresented audiences. Starz is the official media partner for this year’s awards.
Aiyana-Lee will perform “Highest 2 Lowest,” the song she sings in a pivotal moment in Lee’s psychological action thriller.
The celebration, produced by Madelyn Hammond and Javier Infante of Hammond Infante Productions, will take place on December 9, 2025, in Los Angeles. The Quiz with Balls‘ Jay Pharoah returns as host.