Halle Berry, Anthony Anderson, Jennifer Hudson and Barry Jenkins are the selected honorees for the fourth annual event of the Celebration of Black Cinema & Television. The event will take place at the re-imagined Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles on December 6.
The Critics Choice Association announced the honorees on Oct. 5 reported by the Hollywood Reporter. The CCA is the largest critics organization in the United States. Established in 2019, the organization represents nearly 500 media critics and entertainment journalists.
Background on the Celebration of Black Cinema
Since 2014, the Celebration of Black Cinema has honored standout performances in Black filmmaking. However, this is the first year that the event will also recognize television achievements.
Halle Berry
Halle Berry will be awarded the Career Achievement Award this year. She made her directorial debut with her upcoming film Bruised. She also stars as the shameful MMA fighter Jackie Justice. Bruised releases in select theaters on November 17th and on Netflix November 24th. More of Berry’s recognized performances include her roles in Die Another Day, Jungle Fever and Losing Isaiah. As well as Bulworth, Swordfish and John Wick. Furthermore, she is the first and only Black woman to win the Oscar for “Best Actress in a Leading Role.”
“Berry’s iconic performances throughout her career have showcased her brilliance as an actor and blazed the trail for Black performers who have come after her. She has become the personification of excellence as she transcends from being in front of the camera to sitting in the director’s chair,” Celebration executive producer Shawn Edwards said.
Anthony Anderson
Anthony Anderson will be honored with the Producer Award for Television for his work on ABC’s Black-ish, Grown-ish and Mixed-ish. Anderson served as an executive producer for all three of the shows as well.
Jennifer Hudson
Jennifer Hudson will be awarded with the Actress Award for Film for her brilliant performance in the Aretha Franklin biopic Respect. In addition to her performance, Hudson uniquely portrayed Franklin as the “Queen of Soul.”
Barry Jenkins
Barry Jenkins will receive the Director Award for Television for his Amazon series The Underground Railroad. It is based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Colson Whitehead. Jenkins beautifully brought the story to life with his creative perspective.
The CCA’s Statement
“2021 was an incredible year of creativity and growth in film and television, and we’re thrilled to be able to honor the changemakers who are making a difference,” Critics Choice Association CEO, Joey Berlin said in a statement. “Jennifer both starred in and executive produced Respect, giving the performance of a lifetime. Barry transformed the small screen with his innovative and thought-provoking series, The Underground Railroad which he wrote, executive produced and directed. And Anthony has become one of the most prolific and admired producers on television with black-ish, grown-ish and mixed-ish,” Berlin added.
More honorees for film and television will be announced in the upcoming weeks.
