“12 YEARS A SLAVE” NAMED BEST FILM OF 2013 BY THE BLACK FILM CRITICS CIRCLE
New York, NY (December 18, 2013) – The Black Film Critics Circle (BFCC) has voted “12 YEARS A SLAVE” Best Film of 2013, Steve McQueen Best Director for “12 YEARS A SLAVE,” Brie Larson Best Actress for “SHORT TERM 12”and CHIWETEL EJIOFOR Best Actor for “12 YEARS A SLAVE.” The announcement was made today by Mike Sargent, co-president, BFCC. Votes were cast and tabulated in NY at the organization’s annual meeting on December 17, 2013.
Recognizing achievements in theatrical motion pictures, the BFCC awarded prizes in 13 categories including best picture, best director, original and adapted screenplay, best actor, best actress, best supporting actor, best supporting actress, best animated feature, best independent film, best documentary feature, best foreign film and best ensemble. Special Signature awards are also given to industry pioneers and rising stars.
“This is a historic year for Black film,” says Sargent. “There has not been this breadth, scope quantity or quality of films covering the black experience in theatrical release in over 20 years. It is one of the most exciting times in history for Black film from the diaspora. We have seen films that run the gamut from independent to traditional Hollywood fare and in every genre. Their successes at the box office illustrate the commercial viability and significance of the global black experience as captured on film. Congratulations to all of the winners.”
The complete list of award winners include:
Best Picture - 12 Years a Slave
Best Director - Steve McQueen for 12 Years a Slave
Best Actor - Chiwetel Ejiofor for 12 Years a Slave
Best Actress - Brie Larson for Short Term 12
Best Supporting Actor for Jared Leto for Dallas Buyers Club
Best Supporting Actress - Lupita Nyong'o for 12 Years a Slave
Best Original Screenplay - David O. Russell and Eric Singer for American Hustle
Best Adapted Screenplay - John Ridley for 12 Years a Slave
Best Documentary - 20 Feet From Stardom
Best Animated Film - Frozen
Best Cinematography - Gravity
Best Foreign Film - Blue is the Warmest Color
Best Ensemble - 12 Years a Slave
BFCC Signature Awards include:
PIONEER – TYLER PERRY
This year's Pioneer Award is given to producer Tyler Perry. More than any one recently in Hollywood, Perry proved that black film and black theme movies have value at the box office and on TV. Without his amazing output of movies and groundbreaking success at the box office the greatness of 2013 in terms of being a great year in black cinema would have never happened. Tyler is truly a modern-day Oscar Micheaux. Tyler continues to expand the boundaries of what black filmmakers can achieve and embody the very essence of the word Pioneer.
RISING STAR – RYAN COOGLER
His directorial debut with "Fruitvale Station" is the strongest most promising debut since Spike Lee broke on the scene in 1986 with "She's Gotta Have It." The skill and execution it took to make "Fruitvale Station" a critical smash and Box Office success can be scene in every frame of Coogler's powerful masterpiece.
SPECIAL MENTION – GIMME THE LOOT
Special Mention goes to GIMME THE LOOT a fresh love story with a hip-hop backdrop. The film was gritty, realistic, and funny; a rare combination seldom seen on screen.
BLACK FILM CRITICS CIRCLE TOP TEN FILMS OF 2013
1. 12 Years a Slave
2. Gravity
3. Fruitvale Station
4. Lee Daniels' The Butler
5. American Hustle
6. Short Term 12
7. Wolf of Wall Street
8. Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
9. Nebraska
10. Go For Sisters
ABOUT BLACK FILM CRITICS CIRCLE
Founded in 2010, the Black Film Critics Circle is a membership organization comprised of film critics of color from daily newspapers, weekly newspapers, magazines, radio, television and qualifying on-line publications. The organization is dedicated to honoring excellence of professionals in the theatrical motion picture industry in U.S. and World Cinema. Its mission is to celebrate contributions and achievements in film by people of the black Diaspora who work in front of and behind the camera, maintain the integrity of a true Critics organization and advance a collective vision of journalists of the black Diaspora. BFCC assists in the development of new talent in the field of entertainment journalism through educational opportunities, mentoring and strategic partnerships and raises awareness of the significance of black film and black film history as a critical part of film culture and preservation. The organization meets annually in December to vote on the year’s films. BFCC’s Founding Members are journalists Mike Sargent (WBAI-FM NY/ARISE.TV), Wilson Morales (Blackfilm.com), and Shawn Edwards (WDAF-TV Fox Affiliate Kansas City, MO).
For more information, visit us online @ Blackfilmcriticscircle.org or visit us on Facebook @ http://www.facebook.com/pages/BFCC/215361925204008
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Media Contact:
Mike Sargent: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / 212.491.6164