Black Film Critics Circle Loves "The Help," "Pariah"
The Black Film Critics Circle (BFCC) has announced the winners of its annual awards and Tate Taylor's "The Help" won Best Film of 2011. But "Pariah's" Dee Rees took home the Best Director award. Viola Davis won Best Actress for "The Help" while Olivier Litondo took home the Best Actor award for "The First Grader."
Harry Belafonte was honored with the Pioneer award while Adepero Oduye was given the Rising Star Award for her performance in "Pariah." The fantastic sci-fi film that you missed (watch it now on DVD), "Attack the Block" was given a special mention.
Here's the complete list of winners (If you're interested to see the winners/nominees from other award-giving bodies, visit our Awards Avenue coverage right here):
Best Picture - THE HELP
Best Director - Dee Rees for PARIAH
Best Actor - Olivier Litondo for THE FIRST GRADER
Best Actress - Viola Davis for THE HELP
Best Supporting Actor - Albert Brooks for DRIVE
Best Supporting Actress - Octavia Spencer for THE HELP
Best Independent Film - PARIAH
Best Original Screenplay - Dee Rees for PARIAH
Best Adapted Screenplay - Tate Taylor for THE HELP
Best Documentary - BEING ELMO: A Puppeteer's Journey
Best Foreign Film - LIFE, ABOVE ALL
Best Animated Film - RANGO
Best Ensemble - THE HELP
BFCC Signature Awards include:
PIONEER - HARRY BELAFONTE
A renaissance artist who brought his unique talent to all areas of entertainment in a career that has spanned nearly 60
years, Belafonte is a multi-Grammy© winning artist, an Emmy© Award winner with the distinct designation as the first
African American television producer, a Tony© Award winner, motion picture film actor and producer, Civil Rights Activist
and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. From his music, films, and humanitarian work, Harry Belafonte has continued to
embody the very essence of the word Pioneer.
RISING STAR - ADEPERO ODUYE
Adepero’s performance in PARIAH is a moving, powerful unforgettable portrayal of a young woman of color coming to terms
with herself, her sexuality, and her family. We believe she is truly a Talent to Watch.
SPECIAL MENTION - ATTACK THE BLOCK:
Attack is a genre film that defies a number of conventions, not only by having a primarily black cast but portraying each
character with a dignity seldom seen on screen and even more rarely in a Science-Fiction film.
BFCC'S TOP TEN FILMS OF 2011
1. The Help
2. The Artist
3. Pariah
4. Drive
5. The Descendants
6. Attack the Block
7. Tree of Life
8. Hugo
9. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
10. Warrior
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/Tor.com), Wilson Morales (Blackfilm.com),
and Shawn Edwards (WDAF-TV Fox Affiliate Kansas City, MO).
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