The African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) is unveiling a new awards ceremony just for television, the association announced Wednesday.
Kicking off on August 11 with a luncheon at the California Yacht Club in Marina Del Rey, the AAFCA TV Honors will present awards in seven categories.
The Drama of the Year award will go to a drama series, limited series, documentary series, television movie or otherwise that stands out for its quality and cultural significance, while the Comedy of the Year will be bestowed to a comedy series, limited series, television movie or special that stands out for its quality and cultural significance.
The Discovery of the Year award will go to an actor, creator or project that stands out as a ground-breaker or game changer in the television landscape. The Icon Award, meanwhile, will recognize a veteran of television who has forged a path in greatness.
The association will also present an Inclusion Award to recognize a network or production entity that demonstrates a powerful commitment to diversity and inclusion, as well as Actor of the Year and Actress of the Year awards.
Honorees will be announced June 6 on the association’s website.
Founded in 2003, the AAFCA describes itself as “the premiere body of Black film critics in the world, actively reviewing film and television, with a particular emphasis on entertainment that includes the Black experience and storytellers from the African Diaspora.”
Besides the TV honors, the association holds two other annual award shows, including The AAFCA Awards, which turned 10 years old this February. The group also hosts the AAFCA Special Achievement Luncheon, which honors individuals working in film, television and the entertainment industry including journalists, executives, storytellers and performers.
“We’re excited to expand on our established tradition of celebrating excellence across the Hollywood landscape,” AAFCA president and co-founder Gil Robertson said in a statement. “It’s a thrilling time for television in terms of quality and influence, especially as networks take huge strides forward in reflecting diversity and inclusion in their programming. This new wave of innovative, thought-provoking storytelling is inspiring and deserving of celebration.”