The nominations for the 47th annual NAACP Image Awards were announced earlier this week. Some of the big hitters that racked up on the nominations were films Creed, Straight Outta Compton, Beasts of No Nation, and Chi-Raq as well as television shows Empire and Black-ish.

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

• Michael B. Jordan
• Misty Copeland
• Pharrell Williams
• Shonda Rhimes
• Viola Davis

Outstanding Motion Picture

• Beasts of No Nation
• Concussion
• Creed
• Dope
• Straight Outta Compton

  Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture

• Abraham Attah, Beasts of No Nation
• Chiwetel Ejiofor, Secret in Their Eyes
• Michael B. Jordan, Creed
• Michael Ealy, The Perfect Guy
• Will Smith, Concussion

Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture

• Lauren Keke Palmer, Brotherly Love
• Sanaa Lathan, The Perfect Guy
• Teyonah Parris, Chi-Raq
• Viola Davis, Lila and Eve
• Zoe Saldana, Infinitely Polar Bear

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture

• Chiwetel Ejiofor, The Martian
• Corey Hawkins, Straight Outta Compton
• Forest Whitaker, Southpaw
• Idris Elba, Beasts of No Nation
• O’Shea Jackson Jr., Straight Outta Compton

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture

• Angela Bassett, Chi-Raq
• Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Concussion
• Jennifer Hudson, Chi-Raq
• Phylicia Rashad, Creed
• Tessa Thompson, Creed

Outstanding Independent Motion Picture

• Beasts of No Nation
• Brotherly Love
• Chi-Raq
• Infinitely Polar Bear
• Secret in Their Eyes

Outstanding Comedy Series

• black-ish
• House of Lies
• Key & Peele
• Orange Is the New Black
• Survivor’s Remorse

Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series

• Andre Braugher, Brooklyn Nine-Nine
• Anthony Anderson, black-ish
• Don Cheadle, House of Lies
• Dwayne Johnson, Ballers
• RonReaco Lee, Survivor’s Remorse

Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series

• Gina Rodriguez, Jane the Virgin
• Loretta Devine, The Carmichael Show
• Tracee Ellis Ross, black-ish
• Uzo Aduba, Orange Is the New Black
• Wendy Raquel Robinson, The Game

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

• David Alan Grier, The Carmichael Show
• Laurence Fishburne, black-ish
• Mike Epps, Survivor’s Remorse
• Miles Brown, black-ish
• Terry Crews, Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

• Anna Deavere Smith, Nurse Jackie
• Danielle Brooks, Orange Is the New Black
• Laverne Cox, Orange Is the New Black
• Marsai Martin, black-ish
• Tichina Arnold, Survivor’s Remorse

Outstanding Drama Series

• Being Mary Jane
• Empire
• How to Get Away with Murder
• Power
• Scandal

Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series

• LL Cool J, NCIS: Los Angeles
• Morris Chestnut, Rosewood
• Omari Hardwick, Power
• Terrence Howard, Empire
• Wesley Snipes, The Player

Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series

• Gabrielle Union, Being Mary Jane
• Kerry Washington, Scandal
• Nicole Beharie, Sleepy Hollow
• Taraji P. Henson, Empire
• Viola Davis, How to Get Away With Murder

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

• Alfred Enoch, How to Get Away With Murder
• Bryshere Y. Gray, Empire
• Guillermo Diaz, Scandal
• Joe Morton, Scandal
• Jussie Smollett, Empire

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

• Cicely Tyson, How to Get Away with Murder
• Danai Gurira, The Walking Dead
• Grace Gealey, Empire
• Naturi Naughton, Power
• Regina King, American Crime

Outstanding Television Movie, Miniseries or Dramatic Special

• American Crime
• Bessie
• Luther
• The Book of Negroes
• The Wiz Live!

Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Miniseries or Dramatic Special

• Cuba Gooding, The Book of Negroes
• David Alan Grier, The Wiz Live!
• David Oyelowo, Nightingale
• Idris Elba, Luther
• Michael Kenneth Williams, Bessie

Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Miniseries or Dramatic Special

• Angela Bassett, American Horror Story: Hotel
• Aunjanue Ellis, The Book of Negroes
• Jill Scott, With This Ring
• LaTonya Richardson Jackson, Show Me a Hero
• Queen Latifah, Bessie

Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series

• Alan Yang, Aziz Ansari, Master of None — “Parents”
• Jennie Snyder Urman, Jane the Virgin — “Chapter Twenty-Three”
• Jill Soloway, Transparent — “Kina Hora”
• Jordan Peele, Keegan-Michael Key, Jay Martel, Ian Roberts, Rebecca Drysda>, Colton Dunn, Phil Augusta Jackson, Alex Rubens, Charlie Sanders, Rich Talarico, Key & Peele — “Y’all Ready For This?”
• Kenya M. Barris, black-ish — “The Word”

Outstanding Writing in a Dramatic Series

• Erika Green Swafford, Doug Stockstill, How to Get Away with Murder — “Mama’s Here Now”
• John Ridley, American Crime — “Episode 1”
• LaToya Morgan, Turn: Washington’s Spies — “False Flag”
• Lee Daniels, Danny Strong, Empire — “Pilot”
• Mara Brock Akil, Jameal Turner, Keli Goff, Being Mary Jane — “Sparrow”

Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture

• Dee Rees, Bessie
• Lawrence Hill, Clement Virgo, The Book of Negroes
• Michael S. Bandy, Eric Stein, White Water
• Nzingha Stewart, With This Ring
• Shem Bitterman, Whitney

Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture

• Andrea Berloff, Jonathan Herman, Straight Outta Compton
• Christopher Cleveland & Bettina Gilois, Grant Thompson, McFarland USA
• Pete Docter, Meg LeFauve, Josh Cooley, Inside Out
• Rick Famuyiwa,Dope
• Ryan Coogler, Aaron Covington, Creed

Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series

• Aziz Ansari, Master of None — “Parents”
• Brad Silberling, Jane the Virgin — “Chapter Twenty-Three”
• Don Cheadle, House of Lies — “The Urge to Save Humanity is Almost Always a False Front for the Urge to Rule”
• Peter Atencio, Key & Peele — “The End”
• Stan Lathan, Real Husbands of Hollywood — “Cabin Pressure”

Outstanding Directing in a Dramatic Series

• Ernest Dickerson, Hand of God — “Welcome the Stranger”
• John Ridley, American Crime — “Episode 1”
• Lee Daniels, Empire — “Pilot”
• Millicent Shelton, American Crime — “Episode Ten”
• Salim Akil, Being Mary Jane — “Sparrow”

Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture

• Christine Swanson, For the Love of Ruth
• Dee Rees, Bessie
• Nzingha Stewart, With This Ring
• Rusty Cundieff, White Water
• Salim Akil, The Start Up

Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture

• Alfonso Gomez-Rejon, Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
• Charles Stone, III, Lila and Eve
• F. Gary Gray, Straight Outta Compton
• Rick Famuyiwa, Dope
• Ryan Coogler, Creed

Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance

• Aisha Tyler, Archer
• Audra McDonald, Doc McStuffins
• Jeffrey Wright, The Good Dinosaur
• Loretta Devine, Doc McStuffins
• Wanda Sykes, Penn Zero

The 47th annual NAACP Image Awards will air on Friday, February 5 at 9/8c on TV One.

The post 47th NAACP Image Awards Nominations appeared first on Films of Color.

The older generations always complain about how there is no good music these days. All the good music was in days past. Now, haters gonna hate, but there were a lot of jams back in the day.

The days of yore gave us such greats as Chuck Berry and Etta James. Cadillac Records explores this era, centering around Chess Records, its executive/co-founder and some of its musicians.

Cadillac Records was nominated for numerous awards and won several, including a Black Reel Award and an NAACP Image Award. It’s available here.

The post Black History Month Day 26 – ‘Cadillac Records’ appeared first on Films of Color.

Billie Holiday was one of the greats of the twentieth century. She had a unique, powerful voice. She had her struggles in life and battled addiction, but her contributions and influence in jazz are still felt to this day. Her short life was filled with accomplishment.

Lady Sings the Blues chronicles the life and career of Billie Holiday. It stars fellow legend Diana Ross as Holiday. The film balances her struggle and her accomplishments, showing the incredible journey Holiday took.

Lady Sings the Blues won three NAACP Image Awards, including one for Outstanding Motion Picture, and was nominated for five Academy Awards. It’s available here.

The post Black History Month Day 25 – ‘Lady Sings the Blues’ appeared first on Films of Color.

We can’t get through Black History Month without talking about Josephine Baker. She did it all. She was a singer, dancer, actor, activist, and even spy.

Josephine Baker was the first Black woman to star in a major film. She achieved worldwide recognition, another first for a Black woman. She was heavily involved in the Civil Rights Movement, even refusing to perform for segregated audiences.

The Josephine Baker Story is a TV film that aired on HBO. Lynn Whitfield starred as Baker. The film follows Baker as she worked to achieve worldwide fame.

It won a Golden Globe, an Emmy, and an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, Mini-Series, or Television Movie for Whitfield. It is available here.

The post Black History Month Day 22 – ‘The Josephine Baker Story’ appeared first on Films of Color.

Ray Charles was a pioneer in soul music. Known as “The Genius,” his talent could not be contained to one genre. Blinded at age seven, this hindrance did not stop Ray Charles from being one of the greats.

Ray is a biopic starring Jamie Foxx as Ray Charles. Ray chronicles his career, from how he went blind to how he found his calling to becoming a musical pioneer.

Jamie Foxx was praised for his performance. He received an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, a BET Award, a Black Reel Award, and an NAACP Image Award amongst others. The film garnered countless more awards. It is available here.

The post Black History Month Day 21 – ‘Ray’ appeared first on Films of Color.

Tina Turner (Anna Mae Bullock) is a music treasure. She is the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll. At 75, she can still put on a better performance than most of your faves.

What’s Love Got to Do with It? is a biopic based on her life. Angela Bassett continued her string of portraying powerful women in history by playing Turner. The films chronicles how Turner was able to build her music career while facing the struggles in her life, including her abusive relationship with Ike Turner.

What’s Love Got to Do with It? earned several award nominations and garnered Angela Bassett a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Comedy/Musical and an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Motion Picture. It is available here.

The post Black History Month Day 20 – ‘What’s Love Got to Do with It’ appeared first on Films of Color.

The Temptations were one of the most successful music groups in history. They were one of Motown’s biggest acts. They could harmonize, dance, and had a distinct style. But more importantly, they had some jams. “My Girl,” “Ain’t Too Proud to Bed,” and “Get Ready” are just some of their many hits.

The Temptations is a miniseries that aired on NBC. Leon, our favorite TV singer, also starred in this miniseries, this time playing David Ruffin. Like The Jacksons: An American Dream, it might be hard to watch The Temptations in one sitting, but it’s a remarkable watch.

The Temptations won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Directing for a Miniseries or Movie and an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Television Movie or Miniseries. It is available here.

The post Black History Month Day 19 – ‘The Temptations’ appeared first on Films of Color.

Ava DuVernay – @AVAETC

Did you watch the NAACP Image Awards last night? Whether you did or you didn’t, we have a list of of the winners for the film/television categories. Congratulations to all the winners and to those who were nominated. The Awards were a fantastic watch. Everyone looked good and proved that good Black don’t crack.

Entertainer of the Year
Taraji P. Henson

Outstanding Motion Picture
Selma

Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture
David Oyelowo – Selma

Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture
Taraji P. Henson – No Good Deed

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
Common – Selma

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
Carmen Ejogo – Selma

Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture (Theatrical)
Antoine Fuqua – The Equalizer

Outstanding Independent Motion Picture
Belle

Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance
Loretta Devine – Doc McStuffins

Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture (Theatrical)
Misan Sagay – Belle

Outstanding Comedy Series
black-ish

Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series
Anthony Anderson – black-ish

Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series
Tracee Ellis Ross – black-ish

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
Laurence Fishburne – black-ish
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
Yara Shahidi – black-ish

Outstanding Drama Series
How to Get Away with Murder

Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series
Shemar Moore – Criminal Minds

Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series
Viola Davis – How to Get Away with Murder

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
Joe Morton – Scandal

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Khandi Alexander – Scandal

Outstanding Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special
The Trip to Bountiful

Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special
Blair Underwood – The Trip to Bountiful

Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special
Cicely Tyson – The Trip to Bountiful

Outstanding Children’s Program
Doc McStuffins

Outstanding Performance by a Youth in a Youth/Children’s Program (Series or Special)
Fatima Ptacek – Dora and Friends: Into The City!

Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series
Sara Hess – Orange is the New Black – “It Was the Change’

Outstanding Writing in a Dramatic Series
Erika Green Swafford – How to Get Away with Murder – “Let’s Get To Scooping”

Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture (Television)
Shernold Edwards – A Day Late and a Dollar Short

Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series
Ken Whittingham – Parks and Recreation – “Prom”

Outstanding Directing in a Dramatic Series
Carl Franklin – House of Cards – “Chapter 14”

Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture (Television)
Reggie Bythewood – Gun Hill

The post 46th NAACP Image Awards Winners appeared first on Films of Color.

Will you be watching the NAACP Image Awards tonight. With the absence of Black actors and filmmakers nominated for Academy Awards, the Image Awards are more important than ever.

It’s great looking at the nomination list, and seeing the Black actors we all know and love. You might even come across something you didn’t even know was out there. The nominations can be found here.

Anthony Anderson is the host. Eric Holder is to receive the Chairman’s Award, and Spike Lee is to receive the President’s Award.

The 46th NAACP Image Awards airs live at 9/8c with the Red Carpet airing at 8/7c on TV One.

The post NAACP Image Awards Tonight appeared first on Films of Color.

One can hardly get on a bus without thinking of Rosa Parks. Her refusing to give up her seat on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama was the catalyst for the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Her civil disobedience cemented her place in the history books.

Today is Rosa Park’s birthday, so it’s only fitting that she would be honored today. In California, it is Rosa Parks Day. Seeing as how big a part women have played in the Civil Rights Movement, it’s good to see one get recognition, as many others were relegated behind the lines.

In 2002, CBS aired a television film based on her titled The Rosa Parks Story. It starred Angela Bassett as Rosa Parks. It chronicled her life, including her refusal to give up her bus seat and the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

The Rosa Parks Story won several NAACP Image Awards and Black Reel Awards while earning Julie Dash a nomination for the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Miniseries or Movies for Television, a first for a Black female director.

The Rosa Parks Story is available here.

The post Black History Month Day 4 – The Rosa Parks Story appeared first on Films of Color.