African American Film Critics Association — AAFCA

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Karen Sharpe-Kramer, Rob Reiner, Kat Kramer- AAFCA Awards/Getty Images

The inaugural Stanley Kramer Award for “Social Justice” recognized filmmaker and activist Rob Reiner for his career-long activism and support of progressive politics.

His film LBJ earned AAFCA’s Seal of Approval. Reiner had previously directed the racially charged Ghosts of Mississippi, and his work has consistently reflected a sense of purpose and responsibility.

Rob Reiner, Michele Singer Reiner, and the Reiner family were present when Rob accepted the prestigious award. AAFCA and the Kramer family mourn the tragic loss of Rob and Michele.

Quincy Jones, Kat Kramer, Karen Sharpe-Kramer -AAFCA Awards/Getty Images

The legendary Quincy Jones was honored during the 10th anniversary of the AAFCA Awards with the Kramer “Social Justice” Award.

His daughter, Rashida Jones, along with Alan Hicks, also won the AAFCA Best Documentary Award for Quincy, the Netflix documentary profile of her father.

Quincy Jones was a music and film icon, as well as one of the most nominated artists in Grammy history.

Debra Martin Chase, Karen Sharpe-Kramer, Kat Kramer, Kasi Lemmons, Daniela Taplin Lundberg/AAFCA Awards/Getty Images

Cynthia Erivo, Kasi Lemmons, Debra Martin Chase, and Daniela Taplin Lundberg

The first big-screen biopic of Harriet Tubman, Harriet, defied the odds by proving that films about strong women of color resonate with mass audiences.

According to Karen Sharpe-Kramer, “2020 is the Year of the Woman,” and Cynthia Erivo is compelling as America’s renowned freedom fighter and one of our nation’s most important sheroes.

Lisa Cortés and Liz Garbus

Narrated by Stacey Abrams, All In: The Fight for Democracy focuses on the history of voter suppression and the activists who fight for the voting rights of U.S. citizens.

This groundbreaking documentary exposes barriers to voting that many people do not realize pose a threat to their basic rights as citizens of the United States.

Stanley Nelson and Traci A. Curry

Karen Sharpe-Kramer stated, “Most of us have read about what happened at Attica Prison in 1971, but until you see Attica, you’re not aware of the real tragedy.”

She continued, “Attica is heartbreaking. Impeccably researched, it makes a timely and riveting statement about prison reform in our country.”

Attica was nominated for Best Documentary Feature and won the DGA Award in the same category.

Trish Adlesic and Susan Margolin

This social justice documentary feature focuses on the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting and explores the undercurrent of hate that threatens to destroy America.

Martin Scorsese, Daniel Lupi, and Team

Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon, with a screenplay by Eric Roth, shines a light on the true story of the infamous Osage Nation murders.

Kat Kramer, RaMell Ross,Karen Sharpe-Kramer. Amazon MGM Studios/Getty Images 

RaMell Ross

Based on the novel by Colson Whitehead, Nickel Boys is co-written and directed by RaMell Ross. Set against the backdrop of the civil rights movement, the film explores brutality against children and spotlights the abuse inflicted upon generations of boys at the Dozier School for Boys.

Stanley Kramer’s Oscar-winning 1958 classic The Defiant Ones is interwoven into both Whitehead’s novel and Ross’ film adaptation.

Gil Robertson, Michael Barker, Karen Sharpe-Kramer, Kat Kramer and Tom Bernard at AAFCA Special Achievement Honors Luncheon 2026/Getty Images

AAFCA Special Achievement Honors Luncheon

Sony Pictures Classics became the first film studio to receive the Karen and Stanley Kramer “Social Justice” Award, with special recognition for Nuremberg, written, directed, and produced by James Vanderbilt.

Starring Russell Crowe and Rami Malek, this socially relevant film marks the 80th anniversary of the Nuremberg Trials and serves as a companion piece to Stanley Kramer’s Oscar-winning classic Judgment at Nuremberg.

Since 1992, Sony Pictures Classics has amplified bold and socially relevant storytelling. Gil Robertson, President and Founder of AAFCA, stated, “Our Special Achievement Honors represent leadership, vision, and courage at every level.”