The African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) will honor producer and studio executive Sherry Lansing, AppleTV+’s Rita Cooper Lee, TriStar’s Dr. Jennifer Turner and Hallmark Media’s Wonya Lucas at its annual awards Special Achievement Awards in April.
Honorees will be recognized at the organization’s sixth annual AAFCA Special Achievement Awards Luncheon, taking place on Saturday, April 8 at the California Yacht Club in Marina Del Rey, California.
In addition to the industry veteran honorees, the organization will also recognize the documentary “A Tree of Life: The Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting,” which follows the devastating 2021 shooting and sheds light on the hate and violence plaguing Americans, with the Stanley & Karen Kramer Award. .
“Trailblazers and Titans abound in this year’s selection of Special Achievement Honorees,” AAFCA President and Co-Founder Gil Robertson said in a statement. “Recognizing their incredible achievements provides us with a moment to reflect on the progress that has been made as our industry continues to evolve and provides each of us with the inspiration to face our next challenges. AAFCA looks forward to celebrating them.”
This year’s awards will recognize Lansing with the Legacy Award for her contributions to the industry as a producer and studio executive, as well as her philanthropic activities, and TriStar Television Executive Vice President Dr. Turner will receive the Salute to Excellence Award. Award for prioritizing inclusive casts and stories. Lucas, President and CEO of Hallmark Media, will be honored with the TV Vanguard Award.
The organization will also present Cooper Lee, Head of Communications and Advertising, Apple Worldwide Video and Apple TV+, with the inaugural Rosalind Stevenson Award for Excellence in Advertising, named after Stevenson’s respected career. After being part of the team that founded the Apple TV+ streaming platform, Cooper Lee has continued his momentum with “innovative, culture-defining campaigns,” according to the statement.
Selected by a committee based on their achievements throughout their careers, the AAFCA chooses the nominees both behind and in front of the camera, with previous Special Achievement Award winners including Edward James Olmos, Ruth E. Carter, Pearlena Igbokwe. , Channing Dungey, Tendo Nagenda, Alana Mayo, Jon M. Chu and Wesley Morris, among others.
