19th Annual Black Reel Awards


The 19th Annual Black Reel Awards ceremony, presented by the Foundation for the Augmentation of African-Americans in Film and honoring the best films of 2018, took place on February 7, 2019, at 8:00 p.m. EST. During the ceremony, the FAAAF presented Black Reel Awards in 23 motion picture categories. The ceremony marked the first year that achievements in costume design, cinematography and production design were recognized by the voting body.
Black Panther led the nominations with a record-breaking eighteen nominations and went on to win ten awards, including Outstanding Film. Other major nominees included If Beale Street Could Talk and BlacKkKlansman, with fourteen and eleven nominations respectively.
The 3rd Annual Black Reel Awards for Television, honoring the best in television from June 1, 2018, to May 31, 2019, took place on August 1, 2019, at 8:00 p.m. EST. Netflix's When They See Us led the nominations with a record-breaking seventeen nominations and went on to win seven awards, including Outstanding TV Movie or Limited Series. HBO's Insecure and NBC's This Is Us additionally took home the awards for Outstanding Comedy and Drama Series, respectively.

Black Reel Awards Film Winners and nominees

Winners are highlighted in bold.
Best FilmBest Director
Black Panther
Ryan CooglerBlack Panther
  • * Spike LeeBlacKkKlansman
  • * Barry JenkinsIf Beale Street Could Talk
  • * Boots RileySorry to Bother You
  • * Steve McQueenWidows
  • Best ActorBest Actress
    Chadwick BosemanBlack Panther
  • * Michael B. JordanCreed II
  • * John David WashingtonBlacKkKlansman
  • * Keith StanfieldSorry to Bother You
  • * Stephan JamesIf Beale Street Could Talk
  • KiKi LayneIf Beale Street Could Talk
  • * Viola DavisWidows
  • * Zoe ReneeJinn
  • * Amandla StenbergThe Hate U Give
  • * Regina HallSupport the Girls
  • Best Supporting ActorBest Supporting Actress
    Michael B. JordanBlack Panther
  • * Russell HornsbyThe Hate U Give
  • * Daniel KaluuyaWidows
  • * Mahershala AliGreen Book
  • * Brian Tyree HenryIf Beale Street Could Talk
  • Regina KingIf Beale Street Could Talk
  • * Letitia WrightBlack Panther
  • * Danai GuriraBlack Panther
  • * Lupita Nyong'oBlack Panther
  • * Simone MissickJinn
  • Best Breakthrough Performance, MaleBest Breakthrough Performance, Female
    Winston DukeBlack Panther
  • * John David WashingtonBlacKkKlansman
  • * Donald GloverSolo: A Star Wars Story
  • * Brian Tyree HenryIf Beale Street Could Talk
  • * Daveed DiggsBlindspotting
  • Letitia WrightBlack Panther
  • * Cynthia ErivoBad Times at the El Royale
  • * Laura HarrierBlacKkKlansman
  • * KiKi LayneIf Beale Street Could Talk
  • * Zoe ReneeJinn
  • Best EnsembleBest Screenplay, Adapted or Original
    Sarah Finn – Black Panther
  • * Cindy TolanSorry to Bother You
  • * Cindy TolanIf Beale Street Could Talk
  • * Francine Maisler, Mickie Paskal & Jennifer Rudnicke – Widows
  • * Kim Coleman – BlacKkKlansman
  • Boots RileySorry to Bother You
  • * Steve McQueen & Gillian FlynnWidows
  • * Spike Lee, Kevin Willmott, Charlie Wachtel and David RabinowitzBlacKkKlansman
  • * Ryan Coogler and Joe Robert ColeBlack Panther
  • * Barry JenkinsIf Beale Street Could Talk
  • Outstanding Feature DocumentaryOutstanding Independent Feature
    Quincy – Alan Hicks & Rashida Jones
  • * Whitney – Kevin Macdonald
  • * Hale County This Morning, This Evening – RaMell Ross
  • * Minding the GapBing Liu
  • * Amazing GraceSydney Pollack
  • Jinn – Nijla Mumin
  • * A Boy. A Girl. A Dream.Qasim Basir
  • * Roxanne Roxanne – Michael Larnell
  • * Monsters and MenReinaldo Marcus Green
  • * YardieIdris Elba
  • Outstanding Short FilmOutstanding Independent Documentary
    The Tale of Four – Gabourey Sidibe
  • * JumpKofi Siriboe
  • * WTFIMH: What the Fuck is Mental HealthKofi Siriboe
  • * Hair Wolf – Mariama Diallo
  • * Funk Force – Desmond Levi Jackson
  • Sammy Davis Jr.: I’ve Gotta Be Me – Samuel D. Pollard
  • *Basquiat: Rage to Riches – David Schulman
  • * Lorraine Hansberry: Sighted Eyes/Feeling Heart – Tracey Heather Strain
  • Outstanding Foreign Film/ World Cinema Motion PictureOutstanding Voice Performance
    Lionheart – Genevieve Nnaji
  • * Green Days by the River – Michael Mooleedhar
  • * Where Hands TouchAmma Asante
  • * Vaya – Akin Omotoso
  • * Rafiki – Wanuri Kahiu
  • Shameik MooreSpider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
  • * Taraji P. HensonRalph Breaks the Internet
  • * Samuel L. JacksonIncredibles 2
  • * Mahershala AliSpider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
  • * Brian Tyree HenrySpider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
  • Best Emerging FilmmakerBest First Screenplay
    Boots RileySorry to Bother You
  • * Idris ElbaYardie
  • * Rashida JonesQuincy
  • * Nijla Mumin – Jinn
  • * Reinaldo Marcus Green – Monsters and Men
  • Boots RileySorry to Bother You
  • * Daveed Diggs & Rafael CasalBlindspotting
  • * Reinaldo Marcus Green – Monsters and Men
  • * Michael Larnell – Roxanne Roxanne
  • * Nijla Mumin – Jinn
  • Best Original or Adapted SongOutstanding Original Score
    "All the Stars" from Black PantherKendrick Lamar & SZA
  • * "We Won’t Move" from The Hate U Give – Arlissa
  • * "Love Lies (song)" from Love, SimonKhalid & Normani
  • * "Pray for Me (The Weeknd and Kendrick Lamar song)" from Black PantherThe Weeknd and Kendrick Lamar
  • * "I’ll Fight" from RBG (film)Jennifer Hudson
  • Nicholas BritellIf Beale Street Could Talk
  • * Terence BlanchardBlacKkKlansman
  • * Ludwig GöranssonCreed II
  • * Ludwig GöranssonBlack Panther
  • * Dustin O’HalloranThe Hate U Give
  • Outstanding CinematographyOutstanding Costume Design
    James LaxtonIf Beale Street Could Talk
  • * Chayse Irvin– BlacKkKlansman
  • * Tobias A. SchliesslerA Wrinkle in Time
  • * Rachel MorrisonBlack Panther
  • * Sean BobbittWidows
  • Ruth E. CarterBlack Panther
  • * Marci Rodgers– BlacKkKlansman
  • * Caroline Eselin – If Beale Street Could Talk
  • * Deirdra Elizabeth Green – Sorry to Bother You
  • * Paco Delgado – A Wrinkle in Time
  • Outstanding Production Design-
    Hannah BeachlerBlack Panther
  • * Marci Mudd – BlacKkKlansman
  • * Mark Friedberg – If Beale Street Could Talk
  • * Naomi ShohanA Wrinkle in Time
  • * Tim Galvin – Green Book
  • -

    Summary of Film Awards and Nominations

    List of films with multiple nominations
    FilmWinsNominationsOutstanding Film Nominee/Winner
    Black Panther1017Winner
    If Beale Street Could Talk414Nominee
    BlacKkKlansman011Nominee
    Widows07Nominee
    Sorry to Bother You37
    Jinn16
    The Hate U Give04
    Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse13
    Monsters and Men03
    Green Book03Nominee
    A Wrinkle in Time03
    Yardie03
    Roxanne Roxanne02
    Quincy (film)12
    Creed II02
    Blindspotting02

    Black Reel Awards for Television Winners and nominees

    Winners are highlighted in bold.
    Outstanding Drama SeriesOutstanding Actor, Drama Series
    This Is Us
    Billy PorterPose
  • * Sterling K. BrownThis Is Us
  • * Brandon Micheal HallGod Friended Me
  • * Damson IdrisSnowfall
  • * Kofi SiriboeQueen Sugar
  • Outstanding Actress, Drama SeriesOutstanding Supporting Actor, Drama Series
    Rutina WesleyQueen Sugar
  • * Dawn-Lyen GardnerQueen Sugar
  • * Niecy NashClaws
  • * Angela Bassett9-1-1 (TV series)
  • * Alfre WoodardLuke Cage
  • Joe MortonGod Friended Me
  • * Nicholas L. AsheQueen Sugar
  • * Orlando JonesAmerican Gods
  • * Giancarlo EspositoBetter Call Saul
  • * Mustafa ShakirLuke Cage
  • Outstanding Supporting Actress, Drama SeriesOutstanding Directing, Drama Series
    Susan Kelechi WatsonThis Is Us
  • * Tina LiffordQueen Sugar
  • * Lynn WhitfieldGreenleaf
  • * Karimah WestbrookAll American
  • * Indya MoorePose
  • "Don't Take My Sunshine Away" from This Is Us - George Tillman Jr.
  • * "The Book of Apocalypse: Chapter Two: The Omega" from Black LightningSalim Akil '
  • * "A Rock, A River, A Tree" from Queen SugarDeMane Davis '
  • * "Love is the Message" from PoseJanet Mock '
  • * "R&B" from This Is UsKevin Hooks '
  • Outstanding Writing, Drama SeriesOutstanding Guest Actor, Drama Series
    "Our Little Island Girl" from This Is Us - Eboni Freeman
  • * "Scream" from Claws – Maisha Closson '
  • * "Unfriended" from God Friended Me – Safia M. Dirie '
  • * "Love is the Message" from PoseJanet Mock & Ryan Murphy '
  • * "R&B" from This Is Us – Kay Oyegun '
  • Rob MorganThis Is Us
  • * Carl LumblyThis Is Us
  • * Mahershala AliRoom 104
  • * Ron Cephas JonesLuke Cage
  • * CommonThe Chi
  • Outstanding Guest Actress, Drama SeriesOutstanding Comedy Series
    Phylicia RashadThis Is Us
  • * Erika AlexanderBlack Lightning
  • * Rutina WesleyThe Walking Dead
  • * Marla GibbsNCIS
  • * Cicely TysonHow to Get Away With Murder
  • Insecure
  • * Black-ish
  • * Grown-ish
  • * On My Block
  • * She's Gotta Have It
  • Outstanding Actor, Comedy SeriesOutstanding Actress, Comedy Series
    Don CheadleBlack Monday
  • * Anthony AndersonBlack-ish
  • * Tracy MorganThe Last O.G.
  • * Idris ElbaTurn Up Charlie
  • * Keegan-Michael KeyFriends from College
  • Issa RaeInsecure
  • * Tracee Ellis RossBlack-ish
  • * Tiffany HaddishThe Last O.G.
  • * DeWanda WiseShe's Gotta Have It
  • * Regina HallBlack Monday
  • Outstanding Supporting Actor, Comedy SeriesOutstanding Supporting Actress, Comedy Series
    Tituss BurgessUnbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
  • * Kenan ThompsonSaturday Night Live
  • * Laurence FishburneBlack-ish
  • * Jay EllisInsecure
  • * Anthony RamosShe's Gotta Have It
  • Jenifer LewisBlack-ish
  • * Leslie JonesSaturday Night Live
  • * Yvonne OrjiInsecure
  • * Natasha Rothwell - Insecure
  • * Marsai Martin - Black-ish
  • Outstanding Directing, Comedy SeriesOutstanding Writing, Comedy Series
    "Black Like Us" from Black-ish - Salli Richardson
  • * "High-Like" from InsecureMillicent Shelton '
  • * "Ghost-Like" from InsecureRegina King '
  • * "Purple Rain" from Black-ishCharles Stone III '
  • * "Black History Month" from Black-ishTracee Ellis Ross '
  • "Black Like Us" from Black-ish - Peter Saji
  • * "Relatively Grown Man" from Black-ish – Steven White '
  • * "Ghost-Like" from InsecureIssa Rae & Natasha Rothwell '
  • * "Obsessed-Like" from InsecurePrentice Penny '
  • * "#NationTime" from She's Gotta Have It – Radha Blank '
  • Outstanding Guest Actor, Comedy SeriesOutstanding Guest Actress, Comedy Series
    Katt WilliamsBlack-ish
  • * Idris ElbaSaturday Night Live
  • * Ernie HudsonBallers
  • * Kenan ThompsonUnbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
  • * RuPaulGrace and Frankie
  • Anna Deavere SmithBlack-ish
  • * Rosie PerezShe's Gotta Have It
  • * Marla GibbsRel
  • * Maya RudolphThe Good Place
  • * Regina KingThe Big Bang Theory
  • Outstanding TV Movie or Limited SeriesOutstanding Actor, TV Movie or Limited Series
    When They See Us
  • * Native Son
  • * "The Bobby Brown Story"
  • * Luther
  • * True Detective
  • Jharrel JeromeWhen They See Us
  • * Ashton SandersNative Son
  • * Mahershala AliTrue Detective
  • * Woody McClain – "The Bobby Brown Story"
  • * Idris ElbaLuther
  • Outstanding Actress, TV Movie/Limited SeriesOutstanding Supporting Actor, TV Movie/Limited Series
    Niecy NashWhen They See Us
  • * Aunjanue EllisWhen They See Us
  • * Michaela CoelBlack Earth Rising
  • * Emayatzy CorinealdiThe Red Line
  • * Alfre WoodardJuanita
  • Michael K. WilliamsWhen They See Us
  • * Asante BlackkWhen They See Us
  • * Caleel Harris – When They See Us
  • * Marquis Rodriguez – When They See Us
  • * Michael Ealy"Being Mary Jane: Becoming Pauletta"
  • Outstanding Supporting Actress, TV Movie/Limited SeriesOutstanding Directing, TV Movie/Limited Series
    Marsha Stephanie BlakeWhen They See Us
  • * Kylie BunburyWhen They See Us
  • * Isis KingWhen They See Us
  • * Carmen EjogoTrue Detective
  • * Marla GibbsLive in Front of a Studio Audience: Norman Lear's All in the Family and The Jeffersons
  • When They See Us - Ava DuVernay
  • * JuanitaClark Johnson '
  • * Native SonRashid Johnson '
  • * "We All Must Care" from The Red LineVictoria Mahoney '
  • * "The Bobby Brown Story" – Kiel Adrian Scott '
  • Outstanding Writing, TV Movie/Limited SeriesOutstanding TV Special or Documentary
    "Part 1" from When They See Us - Ava DuVernay, Julian Breece & Attica Locke
  • * "Part 2" from When They See UsAva DuVernay, Julian Breece & Attica Locke'
  • * "Part 3" from When They See UsAva DuVernay & Robin Swicord'
  • * "Part 4" from When They See UsAva DuVernay & Michael Starrbury'
  • * "The Bobby Brown Story" – Abdul Williams'
  • Surviving R. Kelly
  • * Wu-Tang Clan: Of Mics and Men
  • * HΘMΣCΘMING
  • * Say Her Name: The Life and Death of Sandra Bland
  • * Rest in Power: The Trayvon Martin Story
  • Outstanding Music -
    Pose
  • * Insecure
  • * When They See Us
  • * Greenleaf
  • * Empire
  • -

    Summary of Television Awards and Nominations

    Series with multiple nominations
    FilmWinsNominationsOutstanding Series Nominee/Winner
    When They See Us717Winner
    Black-ish513Nominee
    This Is Us610Winner
    Insecure210Winner
    Queen Sugar16
    Pose26Nominee
    She's Gotta Have It05Nominee
    "The Bobby Brown Story"04Nominee
    Native Son03Nominee
    Saturday Night Live03
    True Detective03Nominee
    God Friended Me13
    Luke Cage03
    Claws03Nominee
    Black Lightning03Nominee
    Juanita02
    The Last O.G.02
    The Red Line02
    Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt12
    Luther02Nominee
    Greenleaf02
    All American02Nominee
    Black Monday12