The Critics Choice Association has unveiled its full slate of honorees for the 8th Annual Celebration of Black Cinema & Television Awards, taking place Tuesday, December 9, 2025, in Los Angeles. Hosted once again by Jay Pharoah and airing on Starz in early 2026, the event recognizes exceptional achievements across film and television from the Black entertainment community.
This year’s honorees represent a diverse range of storytelling — from powerful performances to visionary direction — underscoring the continued influence of Black artistry across Hollywood.
Honorees List
- Spike Lee – Career Achievement Award
For his extraordinary body of work spanning four decades, including Do the Right Thing, Malcolm X, Inside Man, Da 5 Bloods, and BlacKkKlansman. - Ryan Coogler – Director Award
For Sinners, his record-breaking Warner Bros. feature filmed in IMAX 70mm and Ultra Panavision 65 — a historic first — and a celebration of Black culture through groundbreaking visual storytelling. - David Alan Grier – Vanguard Award
Recognized for his decades-long versatility across film, television, and stage, including his acclaimed role in St. Denis Medical. - Reginald Hudlin & Shola Lynch – Documentary Award
For Number One on the Call Sheet (Apple TV), highlighting Black achievement and excellence in film through voices like Jamie Foxx and Eddie Murphy. - Janelle James – Comedy Award
Honored for her award-winning role as Ava Coleman in ABC’s Abbott Elementary. - Tessa Thompson – Actress Award (Film)
For her leading performance in Hedda, Nia DaCosta’s modern reimagining of Hedda Gabler for Amazon MGM Studios. - Sterling K. Brown – Actor Award (Series)
For his Emmy-nominated performance in Hulu’s Paradise, where he also serves as executive producer. - Jurnee Smollett – Actress Award (Series)
For her work in Apple TV’s Smoke, adding to a career defined by fearless, genre-spanning roles. - Regina Hall, Teyana Taylor, and Chase Infiniti – Ensemble Award
Honored for their standout performances in Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another, a Warner Bros. Pictures action comedy. - Damson Idris – Supporting Actor Award (Film)
For his performance in F1, Apple Original Films’ record-breaking racing drama. - Skye P. Marshall – Supporting Actress Award (Series)
For Matlock (CBS), which also earned her a Gotham TV Award nomination. Her award will receive a special Starz #TakeTheLead designation. - Tenika Davis – Breakthrough Performance Award
For her portrayal of Achillia, the Spartacus franchise’s first female gladiator, in Spartacus: House of Ashur (Starz). - Naya Desir-Johnson – Rising Star Award
For Sarah’s Oil (Amazon MGM Studios), where she portrays the historic Sarah Rector in a powerful biographical drama.
The evening will also feature a special musical performance by Aiyana-Lee, performing her song from Spike Lee’s Highest 2 Lowest.
Executive producer Shawn Edwards praised this year’s lineup, calling it “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 Association’s Celebration of Black Cinema & Television is produced by Madelyn Hammond and Javier Infante of Hammond Infante Productions and will stream exclusively on Starz in early 2026.