‘Sinners,’ ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ to Be Honored by African American Film Critics Association: 2026 Award Winners

Sinners is the big winner at the 17th annual awards presented by The African American Film Critics Association. The blockbuster was named its top film of the year on Tuesday (Dec. 9) and won seven additional awards: best ensemble, best director and best writing for Ryan Coogler; best actor for Michael B. Jordan, best supporting actress for Wunmi Mosaku, best emerging face (actor) for Miles Caton and best music for Ludwig Göransson.

Winners will be celebrated at the 17th annual AAFCA Awards on Feb. 8 at The Maybourne Beverly Hills in Beverly Hills, Calif.

Coogler is very likely to receive multiple Oscar nods for Sinners, which he directed, wrote and coproduced. He has received two Oscar nods to date — best picture as a producer of Judas and the Black Messiah and best original song for “Lift Me Up.” Coogler is a current Grammy nominee for best compilation soundtrack for visual media, a nomination he shares with Göransson and his wife, Serena Göransson.

Hedda is the winner of two AAFCA awards: best independent feature and best actress for Tessa Thompson.

KPop Demon Hunters won best animated feature. The film’s soundtrack topped the Billboard 200 for two weeks.

The AAFCA also announced its top 10 films of the year. “The cinematic voices recognized this year remind us of the power of film to challenge, inspire and unite,” AAFCA president and cofounder Gil Robertson said in a statement. “From bold new visions to unforgettable performances, these winners represent storytellers who are pushing the art form forward while speaking to the moment we are living in.”

Winners were selected by AAFCA’s 100+ members. Special achievement honorees will be announced at a later date.

Here are the winners of the 17th Annual AAFCA Awards, followed by its list of its top 10 films of the year.

Best actor – Michael B. Jordan, Sinners (Warner Bros.)

Best actress – Tessa Thompson, Hedda (Amazon MGM)

Best supporting actress – Wunmi Mosaku, Sinners (Warner Bros.)

Best supporting actor – Damson Idris, F1 (Apple/Warner Bros.)

Best documentary – The Perfect Neighbor (Netflix)

Best animated feature – KPop Demon Hunters (Netflix)

Best director – Ryan Coogler, Sinners (Warner Bros.)

Best writing – Ryan Coogler, Sinners (Warner Bros.)

Emerging face (actor) – Miles Caton, Sinners (Warner Bros.)

Emerging face (actress) – Chase Infiniti, One Battle After Another (Warner Bros.)

Best independent feature – Hedda (Amazon MGM)

Best ensemble – Sinners (Warner Bros.)

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 (Warner Bros.)

AAFCA’s Top 10 Films of the Year