by Nahlah Abdur-Rahman
February 15, 2026
The acclaimed director took dwelling awards for Greatest Director and Author on the seventeenth annual ceremony.
Ryan Coogler let the feelings fly throughout his acceptance speech for Greatest Director on the seventeenth Annual African American Movie Critics Affiliation Awards.
The AACFA awards came about in Los Angeles Feb. 8, with the acclaimed filmmaker successful the coveted award for his 2025 movie, “Sinners.” Throughout the historic night time for Black cinematic achievement, Coogler took dwelling a number of awards, together with Greatest Author, in keeping with WBLS.
The second was not misplaced on Coogler, who cried twice at his recognitions from the affiliation. In considered one of his acceptance speeches, Coogler shouted out his huge supporter, who additionally introduced the award to him, fellow filmmaker Ava DuVernay. NiteCast media shared a snippet of the heartwarming occasion.
“Each man has come up right here and cried,” Coogler joked whereas wiping away tears. “I’m the primary one to cry twice. Ava, you made me really feel secure on this trade. Day by day, realizing that you just’re on the market makes me really feel secure. I feel the love of a Black lady is essentially the most highly effective human power on Earth.”
He then shone a light-weight on all of the individuals who introduced his imaginative and prescient of “Sinners” to life, calling filmmaking a “community-based job” that’s the accumulation of everybody’s laborious work.
“The director is nothing with out that crew, with out that forged,” he continued. “It’s actually a community-based job. It’s a talent, it’s a craft, it’s a calling, however you want folks to do it.”
Co-produced by Coogler’s personal spouse, Zinzi, the gushing husband spoke life into his artistic and romantic accomplice for serving to see his story via. Calling her his “better-looking, smarter, wiser …significantly better half,” the occasion itself was a recognition of Coogler’s profession by his cultural and cinematic friends on the AAFCA.
“Sinners” took dwelling a number of awards from the night, extending to Greatest Ensemble, Greatest Music (granted to movie composer Ludwig Göransson), and Greatest Movie. The movie’s different stars, together with Miles Caton, Wunmi Mosaku, and Delroy Lindo, additionally obtained honors for his or her work.
Hosted by Former White Home Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, the AAFCA acknowledged its Prime Ten movies of the yr, which included Sinners. Comprised of esteemed Black movie critics nationwide and internationally, its annual award ceremony spotlights the accomplishments of administrators, actors, and others concerned within the filmmaking course of.
The awards season additionally continues on for the acclaimed director, as Coogler and “Sinners” put together for his or her night time on the Oscars with 16 historic nominations.
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