“12 Years a Slave” Breaks Free

Film’s EIGHT awards breaks the record set by “Precious” in 2010

Washington, DC — This evening in the Nation’s Capital, the 14th Annual Black Reel Awards handed out their prizes for the finest accomplishments and achievements of African-Americans and people of the African Diaspora in feature and independent films and television in 2013.

The Help Cleans Up At the Black Reel Awards

Given the manner in which The Help is already cleaning up at every awards show leading up to the Academy Awards, it should come as little surprise that the crowd-pleasing favorite also cleaned up at The Black Reel Awards, taking home six honors:

Pariah’s Nine Noms Lead the Black Reel Awards Field

Pariah, the story of a Brooklyn lesbian teenager searching for her sexual expression led the field with nine nominations as the Foundation for the Advancement of African-Americans in Film (FAAAF) announced its nominees Wednesday for its 12^th annual Black Reel Awards.

Record-Breaking Evening for “Precious!”

The little indie film that went from nearly going straight to DVD, “Precious,” came full circle this evening setting a new record for success at The Black Reel Awards when it nearly completed a sweep taking home seven awards at this evening’s festivities.

Conversations with Sophie Okenedo

2009 is shaping up to be the year of strong emotional stories featuring women of color. In her latest film, “Skin,” Black Reel Award winner Sophie Okonedo portrays the anguish of a young Black woman growing up White in Aparthied South Africa in the 1950s. She sat down with Wilson Morales to talk about this film and her upcoming project as Winnie Mandela.

2009 Watch List – Skin

Black Reel Award-winning actress Sophie Okonedo stars as young Black girl, Sandra Laing, raised White in aparthied South African in this powerful and emotional story. The film follows Sandra’s thirty-year journey from rejection to
acceptance, betrayal to reconciliation, as she struggles to define her place in a changing world.

2009 Watch List – Not Easily Broken

Black Reel Award winner Morris Chestnut and nominee Taraji P. Henson headline this inspirational story from Pastor T.D. Jakes. This early January release may be long forgotten but it’s still on our radar for potential nominees.