African American Film Critics Association

The African American Film Critics Associations weighed in their favorites of the year handing out top prize honors to F. Gary Gray’s blockbuster Straight Outta Compton. The group- comprised on print, radio, television and online critics- was founded in 2003. Other films acknowledged include the recently released Creed– from director Ryan Coogler (who take Best Director honors), Spike Lee’s latest provocation Chi-Raq which recently opened in limited release and Rick Famuyiwa’s Sundance hit Dope.

It still remains to be seen what kind of an impact Straight Outta Compton will have in the awards season despite huge box office receipts and overall critical respect. Same goes for Creed (which has already earned a few prizes from critics early in the season) and a few other noteworthy films that feature black artists both behind and in front of the camera like Chi-Raq, the Will Smith-headlined Concussion and Beasts of No Nation starring Idris Elba. This past years’ Oscar line-up included not one actor of color and sparked the infamous hashtag #OscarSoWhite. Check out the full list of winners below:

• PICTURE: Straight Outta Compton
• DIRECTOR: Ryan Coogler, Creed
• ACTOR: Will Smith, Concussion
• ACTRESS: Teyonah Parris, Chi-Raq
• SUPPORTING ACTOR: Jason Mitchell, Straight Outta Compton
• SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Tessa Thompson, Creed
• SCREENPLAY: Dope– written by Rick Famuyiwa
• ANIMATED FEATURE: The Peanuts Movie
• DOCUMENTARY: The Ballerina’s Tale
• SONG: Furious 7– “See You Again”
• INDEPENDENT FILM: Chi-Raq
• BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE: Michael B. Jordan, Creed
• ENSEMBLE: Straight Outta Compton

TOP TEN OF 2015

1. Straight Outta Compton
2. Creed
3. Mad Max: Fury Road
4. Beasts of No Nation
5. The Martian
6. 3 1/2 Minutes, Ten Bullets; Dope
7. Chi-Raq
8. Carol
9. The Big Short
10. The Danish Girl