The AAFCA, which according to its website aims to "bring greater recognition to the work of writers, directors and actors of color," hailed this year's creative offerings, with co-founder Shawn Edwards noting that there were numerous deserving recipients to choose from. Though no overt reference to the recent #OscarsSoWhite backlash facing the Academy Awards was made, Edwards made it clear that this year's honorees were a step in the right direction for Hollywood.

"It was an exceptional year in terms of the quantity and quality of films about the black experience," Edwards said in a statement. "And while this by no means solves the diversity issue in the film industry, it was definitely refreshing to have such a wide range of exceptional work to choose from to honor and celebrate with our approval."

"The number of incredible performances by black actors and actresses added to a very competitive field of performances and represents a step toward inclusion that our membership warmly embraces," added AAFCA president and co-founder Gil Robertson in another statement. "We look forward to what 2017 has in store."

The full list of honorees in both film and television is below. The African-American Film Critics Association will hand out its awards at a ceremony in Los Angeles on February 4.

FILM

BEST PICTURE : MOONLIGHT – (A24)

BEST DIRECTOR: BARRY JENKINS, MOONLIGHT – (A24)

BEST ACTOR: DENZEL WASHINGTON, FENCES – (Paramount)

BEST ACTRESS: RUTH NEGA, LOVING – (Focus Features)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: MAHERSHALA ALI, MOONLIGHT – (A24)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: VIOLA DAVIS, FENCES – (Paramount)

BEST ENSEMBLE: The cast of HIDDEN FIGURES – (20th Century Fox)

BREAKOUT PERFORMANCE 2017 – Janelle Monae for MOONLIGHT and HIDDEN FIGURES

BEST INDEPENDENT FILM: MOONLIGHT – (A24)

BEST ANIMATION FILM; ZOOTOPIA – (Disney)

BEST SONG – "VICTORY" from HIDDEN FIGURES – (20th Century Fox)

BEST DOCUMENTARY – 13th – (Netflix)

BEST FOREIGN FILM – TANNA – (Lightyear Entertainment)

BEST SCREENPLAY – AUGUST WILSON, FENCES – (Paramount)

TV

BEST TV SHOW (Drama) – QUEEN SUGAR – OWN

BEST TV SHOW (Comedy) – ATLANTA – FX

BEST TV SHOW (CABLE/NEW MEDIA – UNDERGROUND – WGN

BEST TV SHOW (Special/Limited Series) – LEMONADE – HBO

AAFCA's Top 10 Films of 2016 are as follows, in order of distinction:

1. MOONLIGHT – A24
2. FENCES – Paramount
3. HIDDEN FIGURES – 20th Century Fox
4. LION – The Weinstein Company
5. LA LA LAND – Lionsgate
6. BIRTH OF A NATION – Fox Searchlight
7. LOVING – Focus Features
8. MANCHESTER BY THE SEA – Roadside Attraction/Amazon Studios
9. HELL OR HIGH WATER – Liongsgate/CBS Films
10. QUEEN OF KATWE – Walt Disney Pictures/ESPN Films

AAFCA's Top 10 TV shows of 2016 are as follows, in order of distinction:

1. QUEEN SUGAR – OWN
2. UNDERGROUND – WGN
3. ATLANTA – FX
4. INSECURE – HBO
5. LUKE CAGE – NETFLIX
6. THIS IS US – NBC
7. BLACKISH – ABC
8. THE GET DOWN – NETFLIX
9. WESTWORLD – HBO
10. SURVIVOR'S REMORSE – STARZ