Sinners Movie Dominates NAACP Image Awards as Stars Confront Anti-Black Attacks

The 57th NAACP Image Awards crowned sinners movie the night’s big winner, taking outstanding motion picture and sweeping most acting categories in a ceremony that also became a forum for remarks about anti-Black attacks and political tensions.

Sinners Movie sweeps top awards

‘Sinners’ led the field, winning outstanding motion picture and a majority of the acting trophies. Miles Caton earned the breakthrough performance prize, Michael B. Jordan won actor in a motion picture and was also named entertainer of the year, and Wunmi Mosaku and Delroy Lindo took supporting actress and actor honors. Ryan Coogler collected writing and directing awards ahead of the ceremony on Saturday.

Hosts and presenters pressed political points

Host Deon Cole opened with a pointed line, welcoming the audience to “the Trump Image Awards, ” and later made a joke aimed at federal ICE agents that was bleeped during the live stream and drew a standing ovation from an audience many of whom wore anti-ICE pins. Samuel L. Jackson paid tribute to the late Jesse Jackson and declared, “We will not be erased from this country’s history because I am somebody. ” Sterling K. Brown, accepting actor in a drama series for "Paradise, " echoed that sentiment: “Like Sam said, they can’t erase us because there is no country without us. ”

BAFTA uproar and onstage responses shadowed the night

The ceremony also spotlighted a racial-slur outburst at the BAFTA Awards. Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo had been presenters at BAFTA when a member of the audience shouted the N-word; the two paused before continuing. Alan Cumming addressed the incident at BAFTA, referencing the nominated film "I Swear, " and apologized. John Davidson, an executive producer for the BAFTA-nominated film who has Tourette syndrome, left his seat during the ceremony; BAFTA later issued an apology to the actors. On the NAACP stage, Deon Cole offered a comic prayer referencing the BAFTA incident, and Ryan Coogler quipped, “I don’t want to see no ICE ever again, ” saying he removed Ice Cube, Ice-T and Ice Spice from his guest list and adding, “I don’t want no ice cream, I don’t want no ice in my drink. ”