THE AFRICAN AMERICAN FILM CRITICS ASSOCIATION (AAFCA) SETS THE DATE FOR THE 17TH ANNUAL AAFCA AWARDS FOR FEBRUARY 18, 2026
LOS ANGELES, Sept 26, 2025 – The African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) will announce the winners of its 17th Annual AAFCA Awards on Dec. 8, AAFCA President and co-founder Gil Robertson announced today. An invitation-only celebration of the winners will take place on Feb. 18, 2026, at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills. The prestigious ceremony honors outstanding achievements in cinema with a special focus on films and performances representing the Black diaspora.
17th Annual AAFCA Awards Voting Timeline
Sept. 22, 2025 Submissions Open
Nov. 26, 2025 Screening / Screener Deadline
Nov. 28, 2025 – Dec. 5, 2025 Voting Window
Dec. 8, 2025 Winners Announced
Feb. 18, 2026 17th Annual AAFCA Awards
*Please note there is no fee or application required for submissions.
The AAFCA Awards recognize achievements in the following competitive categories:
BEST PICTURE
BEST DIRECTOR
BEST ACTOR
BEST ACTRESS
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
BEST ENSEMBLE
EMERGING FACE
BEST DOCUMENTARY
BEST INDEPENDENT
BEST INTERNATIONAL
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE
BEST SCREENPLAY
BEST MUSIC
BEST FILM SHORT
About AAFCA
Established in 2003, AAFCA is the premier body of Black film critics in the world, actively reviewing film and television, with a particular emphasis on entertainment highlighting the Black experience in the US and throughout the rest of the African Diaspora. For more information on AAFCA and its programs visit http://AAFCA.com.