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# 2026 Critics' Choice Awards: Black Talent Shines as Sinners Wins 4 Awards, Tramell Tillman and Janelle James Take Home Trophies. Full Results Inside! From L-R: Delroy Lindo, Michael B Jordan, Fraincine Maisler, Wumi Mosaku, Miles Caton, and Omar Benson Miller at the 2026 Critics’ Choice Awards. The 2026 Critics’ Choice Awards , held on Sunday, January 4, showcased the brilliance of Black talent. Leading the pack was Sinners , which garnered 17 nominations and took home 4 prestigious awards. Notably, Ryan Coogler won Best Original Screenplay for his work as both writer and director. Additionally, Miles Caton was awarded Best Young Actor for his outstanding performance. Other notable Black winners included Tramell Tillman, who received the award for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his role in Severance . Janelle James also shone brightly, winning Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her performance in ABC’s Abbott Elementary . Full List of Winners Check out the complete list of winners below: Film Awards Best Picture : One Battle After Another Best Director : Paul Thomas Anderson ( One Battle After Another ) Best Actor : Timothée Chalamet ( Marty Supreme ) Best Actress : Jessie Buckley ( Hamnet ) Best Supporting Actor : Jacob Elordi ( Frankenstein ) Best Supporting Actress : Amy Madigan ( Weapons ) Best Original Screenplay : Ryan Coogler ( Sinners ) Best Adapted Screenplay : Paul Thomas Anderson ( One Battle After Another ) Best Cinematography : Adolpho Veloso ( Train Dreams ) Best Young Actor/Actress : Miles Caton ( Sinners ) Best Casting and Ensembles : Francine Maisler ( Sinners ) Best Score : Ludwig Göransson ( Sinners ) Best Sound : Al Nelson, Gwendolyn Yates Whittle, Gary A. Rizzo, Juan Peralta, Gareth John ( F1 ) Best Song : “Golden” from KPop Demon Hunters by Ejae, Mark Sonnenblick, Ido, 24, and Teddy Best Editing : Stephen Mirrione ( F1 ) Best Production Design : Tamara Deverell, Shane Vieau ( Frankenstein ) Best Costume Design : Kate Hawley ( Frankenstein ) Best Stunt Design : Wade Eastwood ( Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning ) Best Visual Effects : Joe Letteri, Richard Baneham, Eric Saindon, and Daniel Barrett ( Avatar: Fire and Ash ) Best Hair and Makeup : Mike Hill, Jordan Samuel, and Cliona Furey ( Frankenstein ) Best Comedy : The Naked Gun Best Animated Feature : KPop Demon Hunters Best Foreign Language Film : The Secret Agent Television Awards Best Drama Series : The Pitt Best Actor in a Drama Series : Noah Wyle ( The Pitt ) Best Actress in a Drama Series : Rhea Seehorn ( Pluribus ) Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series : Tramell Tillman ( Severance ) Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series : Katherine La Nasa ( The Pitt ) Best Comedy Series : The Studio Best Actor in a Comedy Series : Seth Rogen ( The Studio ) Best Actress in a Comedy Series : Jean Smart ( Hacks ) Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series : Ike Barinholtz ( The Studio ) Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series : Janelle James ( Abbott Elementary ) Best Limited Series : Adolescence Best Movie Made for TV : Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy Best Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Made for TV : Stephen Graham ( Adolescence ) Best Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Made for TV : Sarah Snook ( All Her Fault ) Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Made for TV : Owen Cooper ( Adolescence ) Best Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Made for TV : Erin Doherty ( Adolescence ) Best Foreign Language Series : Squid Game Best Animated Series : South Park Best Variety Series : Last Week Tonight With John Oliver Best Talk Show : Jimmy Kimmel Live! Best Comedy Special : SNL50: The Anniversary Special The 2026 Critics' Choice Awards highlighted the incredible achievements of Black talent in film and television. The recognition of these artists not only celebrates their hard work but also inspires future generations to pursue their dreams in the industry. For more insights and updates about Black and African cinema, visit Black Film Wire . Stay tuned for more exciting news and reviews about the latest happenings and trends in the world of Black cinema!

BEbonyLife Films partners with Genesis, Nile, and Silverbird for the 2026 release of "The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives." See the star-studded cast here.   EbonyLife Films  has partnered with Genesis Group, Nile Group , and Silverbird Group , for the December 2026 release of the big-screen adaptation of Lola Shoneyin ’s critically acclaimed novel, The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives .  According to Deadline , the film will be directed by Daniel Orahi  with screenplay by Adze Ugah . It will be produced by Heidi Uys , Chris Odeh , Mimi Bartels , and Shoneyin herself. Head of EbonyLife Group Mo Abudu, Genesis Group Managing Director Nnaeto Orazulike, Nile Group CEO Moses Babatope, and Silverbird Group President Ben Murray Bruce will serve as Executive Producers.  The ensemble cast consists of some of Nollywood’s finest stars including: Odunlade Adekola , Iyabo Ojo , Mercy Aigbe,   Bimbo Ademoye  and Omowunmi Dada . Additional stars include Shaffy Bello , Bisola Aiyeola , Lateef Adedimeji , Kunle Remi , Bolaji Ogunmola , Bimbo Manuel , Tina Mba , Daniel Effiong , Femi Branch , Rotimi Fakunle , Bukunmi Adeaga Ilori , and Constance Olatunde ; who’ll bring to life the fictional story of patriarch and husband to four wives, Baba Segi, and the secrets coming to light in the aftermath of his most recent wife, young Bolanle’s perceived childlessness.    This is the first-ever big-screen adaptation of Shoneyin’s seminal 2010 novel. It has previously appeared on the theatre circuit, even as recently as May 31 2025, with Rotimi Babatunde’s showing at the Arcola Theatre, London — first shown in 2018.  It is EbonyLife’s first feature film since Chief Daddy 2: Going for Broke   (2022), and the latest addition to a notable catalogue of New Nollywood classics like Oloture  (2019), Chief Daddy  (2018), The Wedding Party  (2016), and The Royal Hibiscus Hotel  (2017).  With this, Shoneyin joins a growing list of Nigerian female authors including Chimamanda Adichie  ( Half of A Yellow Sun ), Tomi Adeyemi  ( Children of Blood and Bone ), Sefi Atta   ( Swallow ) , and Nnedi Okoroafor  ( Hello Rain ) whose works have been adapted.  Recall that a fake poster for the film circulated  on social media in February last year, amid buzz concerning the EbonyLife deal.

The Nigerian studio behind ‘The Men's Club’ has put out a call for a male and female role in a new TV Series. Apply by 26 January, 2026.   Filmmaker and Founder of Urban Vision 360 Tola Odunsi  has put out a casting call for two lead roles in an upcoming TV series.  The announcement, made via social media  yesterday, states that interested actors and actresses should be between 25 and 35 years old, and preferably be relatively new faces. They are to send a profile, social media, handles, headshot, and full length photograph to info@urbamvision.360.com  on or before 26 January, 2026.  Tola Odunsi is the Producer and Director behind the hit web-series The Men's Club  and also worked on other series like The Island   (2017), Assistant Madams   (2020) and most recently, Showmax's Flawsome  (2022). He co-founded Urban Visions 360 with Akin Akinkugbe, a production company focused on delivering authentic Nigerian stories.  Check out other casting calls here .

Black Film Wire is now accepting essays and pitches on Black film and TV. Join our team of contributors and help shape the narrative of African and Diaspora cinema.   We are pleased to announce that the Black Film Wire has begun accepting essays and pitch submissions on Black Film and TV in a variety of categories. We’re seeking passionate, sharp writers with a love for storytelling and a deep interest in the African, diasporan, and Black film industries. Per our Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Sahndra Fon Dufe, “It’s the Black Film Wire’s second year of operations, and we want to really improve the quality of stories that we’re telling. Hence, we want contributors who have different insights as far as the entire gamut of the film and TV industry goes. From commentary to reviews to deep conversations and thought leadership pieces, we want them all, and we hope to attract Black-focused writers who are willing to lend a voice to some of these issues and changes the industry is facing across the board”.  Interested writers should go through the submission guidelines here  and submit here  or via our website .

2026 Golden Globes: Teyana Taylor's Best Supporting Female Actor win and Sinners’ Best Original Score and Cinematic and Box Office Achievement were the night's only Black wins.  In a surprising turn of events, the 83rd Annual Golden Globes  Award Ceremony, which held on Sunday, January 11, 2026, ended with only three wins for nominated Black talent: Teyana Taylor  who won Best Supporting Female Actor for her role in One Battle After Another  and Ryan Coogler’s   Sinners   which took home the Cinematic and Box Office Achievement, and Best Original Score ( Ludwig Göransson ) prizes.  Certain categories turned out exactly as predicted . Paul Thomas Anderson  ( One Battle After Another)  won the Best Director and Best Screenplay prize. Jessie Buckley   ( Hamnet)   took home the statuette in the Best Female Actor in a Motion Picture (Drama) category. Noah Wyle  ( The Pitt ) won in the Best Male Actor in a TV Series (Drama) category. The Studio   edged out Hacks   to win the Best TV Series (Musical/Comedy) prize. And the Best Male Actor in a Motion Picture (Musical/Comedy) went to Timothée Chalamet  ( Marty Supreme ), building on his Critics’ Choice Award win.  The cast of Sinners receive the Cinematic and Box Office Achievement Award.   Credit: The Hollywood Reporter Wins for Wagner Moura  ( The Secret Agent ),  “ Golden ” ( KPop Demon Hunters ), and Owen Cooper   ( Adolescence)  in the Male Actor (Drama), Best Original Song, and Male Actor in a Supporting TV Role categories, respectively, were possibilities hinted at prior. There were also outright shockers like Hamnet winning the Best Motion Picture (Drama) award, an outcome that makes March's Oscar race even tighter to call.  Read the full list of winners below: FILM Best Motion Picture – Drama  Frankenstein Hamnet — WINNER Sinners The Secret Agent Sentimental Value It Was Just An Accident Best Motion Picture - Musical/Comedy Blue Moon Bugonia Marty Supreme No Other Choice Nouvelle Vague One Battle After Another — WINNER Best Motion Picture – Animated  Arco Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle Elio KPop Demon Hunters — WINNER Little Amélie or The Character of Rain Zootopia 2 From left, Chris Appelhans, Maggie Kang and Michelle Wong, winners of the award for Best Motion Picture — Animated for KPop Demon Hunters.  Credit: The Korea Times Best Motion Picture – Non-English Language   It Was Just an Accident No Other Choice The Secret Agent — WINNER Sentimental Value Sirāt The Voice Of Hind Rajab Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama Eva Victory ( Sorry, Baby ) Jessie Buckley (Hamnet)  — WINNER Jennifer Lawrence ( Die My Love ) Julia Roberts ( After the Hunt ) Renate Reinsve ( Sentimental Value ) Tessa Thompson ( Hedda ) Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama Dwayne Johnson ( The Smashing Machine ) Jeremy Allen White ( Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere ) Joel Edgerton ( Train Dreams ) Michael B. Jordan ( Sinners ) Oscar Isaac ( Frankenstein ) Wagner Moura ( The Secret Agent ) — WINNER Wagner Moura poses with his Golden Globe. Credit: Variety Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy  Amanda Seyfried ( The Testament of Ann Lee ) Chase Infiniti ( One Battle After Another ) Cynthia Erivo ( Wicked: For Good ) Emma Stone (Bugonia) Kate Hudson ( Song Sung Blue ) Rose Byrne ( If I Had Legs I’d Kick You ) — WINNER Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy  George Clooney ( Jay Kelly ) Ethan Hawke ( Blue Moon ) Leonardo DiCaprio ( One Battle After Another ) Lee Byung Hun ( No Other Choice ) Jesse Plemons ( Bugonia ) Timothée Chalamet ( Marty Supreme ) — WINNER Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role in Any Motion Picture  Amy Madigan ( Weapons ) Ariana Grande ( Wicked: For Good ) Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas ( Sentimental Value ) Emily Blunt ( The Smashing Machine ) Elle Fanning ( Sentimental Value ) Teyana Taylor ( One Battle After Another ) — WINNER Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role in Any Motion Picture Adam Sandler ( Jay Kelly ) Benicio Del Toro ( One Battle After Another ) Jacob Elordi ( Frankenstein ) Paul Mescal ( Hamnet ) Sean Penn ( One Battle After Another ) Stellan Skarsgård ( Sentimental Value ) — WINNER Chloe Zhao and the cast and crew of Hamnet on stage to receive the Best Motion Picture (Drama) Award. Credit: Moneycontrol. Best Director – Motion Picture Chloé Zhao (Hamnet) Guillermo del Toro ( Frankenstein ) Jafar Panahi ( It Was Just An Accident ) Joachim Trier ( Sentimental Value ) Paul Thomas Anderson ( One Battle After Another ) — WINNER Ryan Coogler ( Sinners ) Best Screenplay – Motion Picture  Chloé Zhao & Maggie O’Farrell ( Hamnet ) Josh Safdie & Ronald Bronstein ( Marty Supreme ) Jafar Panahi ( It Was Just an Accident ) Joachim Trier & Eskil Vogt ( Sentimental Value ) Paul Thomas Anderson ( One Battle After Another ) — WINNER Ryan Coogler (Sinners) Best Original Score – Motion Picture  Alexandre Desplat ( Frankenstein ) Hans Zimmer ( F1: The Movie ) Jonny Greenwood ( One Battle After Another ) Kangding Ray ( Sirāt ) Ludwig Göransson ( Sinners ) — WINNER Max Richter ( Hamnet ) Ludwig Göransson. Credit: Pitchfork Best Original Song – Motion Picture “Dream as One,” Avatar: Fire and Ash “ Golden,” KPop Demon Hunters — WINNER “I Lied to You,” Sinners “No Place Like Home,” Wicked: For Good “The Girl in the Bubble,” Wicked: For Good “Train Dreams,” Train Dreams Cinematic and Box Office Achievement Avatar: Fire and Ash F1: The Movie KPop Demon Hunters Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning Sinners — WINNER Weapons Wicked: For Good Zootopia 2 TV Best Television Series – Drama   The Diplomat The Pitt — WINNER Severance Slow Horses The White Lotus Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy Abbott Elementary The Bear Hacks Nobody Wants This Only Murders in the Building The Studio — WINNER Seth Rogen receives The Studio's Best TV Series (Musical/Comedy) award.  Credit: Rolling Stone Best Television Limited Series, Anthology Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television  Adolescence— WINNER All Her Fault The Beast in Me Black Mirror Dying for Sex The Girlfriend Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Series – Drama  Bella Ramsey ( The Last of Us ) Britt Lower ( Severance ) Helen Mirren ( Mobland ) Kathy Bates ( Matlock ) Keri Russell ( The Diplomat ) Rhea Seehorn ( Pluribus ) — WINNER Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Series – Drama Adam Scott (Severance) Diego Luna ( Andor ) Gary Oldman ( Slow Horses ) Mark Ruffalo ( Task ) Noah Wyle ( The Pitt ) — WINNER Sterling K. Brown ( Paradise ) Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Television  Series – Musical or Comedy Ayo Edebiri ( The Bear) Jenna Ortega ( Wednesday ) Jean Smart ( Hacks ) — WINNER Kristen Bell ( Nobody Wants This ) Natasha Lyonne ( Poker Face ) Selena Gomez ( Only Murders in the Building ) Jean Smart receives her Golden Globe for Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Television  Series. Credit: People.com Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy   Adam Brody ( Nobody Wants This ) Glen Powell ( Chad Powers ) Jeremy Allen White ( The Bear ) Martin Short ( Only Murders in the Building ) Seth Rogen ( The Studio ) — WINNER Steve Martin ( Only Murders in the Building ) Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Limited Series, Anthology Series, or a Motion Picture Made for Television Amanda Seyfried ( Long Bright River ) Claire Danes ( The Beast in Me ) Michelle Williams ( Dying for Sex ) — WINNER Rashida Jones ( Black Mirror ) Robin Wright ( The Girlfriend ) Sarah Snook ( All Her Fault ) Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Limited Series, Anthology Series, or a Motion Picture Made for Television Charlie Hunnam ( Monster: The Ed Gein Story ) Jacob Elordi ( The Narrow Road to the Deep North ) Jude Law ( Black Rabbit ) Matthew Rhys ( The Beast in Me ) Paul Giamatti ( Black Mirror ) Stephen Graham ( Adolescence ) — WINNER Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role on Television Aimee Lou Wood ( The White Lotus ) Carrie Coon ( The White Lotus ) Catherine O’Hara ( The Studio ) Erin Doherty ( Adolescence ) — WINNER Hannah Einbinder ( Hacks ) Parker Posey ( The White Lotus ) Erin Doherty.  Credit: Golden Globes Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role on Television Ashley Walters ( Adolescence ) Billy Crudup ( The Morning Show ) Jason Isaacs ( The White Lotus ) Owen Cooper ( Adolescence ) — WINNER Tramell Tillman ( Severance ) Walton Goggins ( The White Lotus ) Best Performance in Stand-Up Comedy on Television Bill Maher: Is Anyone Else Seeing This? Brett Goldstein: The Second Best Night of Your Life Kevin Hart: Acting My Age Kumail Nanjiani: Night Thoughts Ricky Gervais: Mortality  — WINNER Sarah Silverman: PostMortem Best Podcast Armchair Expert With Dax Shepard Call Her Daddy Good Hang With Amy Poehler — WINNER SmartLess The Mel Robbins Podcast Up First

For Black Film Wire The Producers Guild of America has officially announced key nominations and honorees for the 37th Annual Producers Guild Awards , recognising outstanding producing achievement across documentary, innovation, film, television and emerging media. This year’s slate reflects a wide range of storytelling approaches from socially driven documentaries to technology-forward experiences and underscoring the central role producers play in bringing ambitious work to life.  . Some incredible producers who will be honoured this year are Amy Pascal  will receive the David O. Selznick Achievement Award , recognizing her enduring impact on theatrical motion pictures, Mara Brock Akil , a foundational force in Black television and storytelling, who will be honored with the Norman Lear Achievement Award  for her groundbreaking contributions to television and Jason Blum , whose Blumhouse model  reshaped the economics of genre filmmaking who will receive the Milestone Award . “Across all categories, the Producers Guild Awards celebrate the vital job of producing, and the noteworthy contributions that honorees have made to the industry,”  said PGA Presidents Stephanie Allain  For Black Film Wire, producing particularly for creators historically excluded from power is not just a credit. It’s an act of advocacy. Documentary Producers Carrying Truth Forward The nominees for Outstanding Producer of Documentary Motion Picture  as said by the Producers Guild of America, reflect the breadth of non-fiction storytelling today, spanning politics, history, intimacy and global perspective. The films shortlisted for this year’s award include: The Alabama Solution  (HBO Documentary Films) Cover-Up  (Netflix) Mr. Nobody Against Putin  (Made in Copenhagen) My Mom Jayne : A Film by Mariska Hargitay  (HBO Documentary Films) Ocean with David Attenborough  (National Geographic) The Perfect Neighbor   (Netflix) The Tale of Silyan  (National Geographic) Award for Outstanding Producer of Animated Theatrical Motion Pictures The Bad Guys 2  — Damon Ross , p.g.a.  Demon Slayer :  Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle  — Nominees TBD  Elio  — Mary Alice Drumm , p.g.a.  KPop Demon Hunters  — Michelle L.M.   Zootopia 2  —  Yvett Merino , p.g.a. The PGA Innovation Award  ASTEROID  (Doug Liman’s 30 Ninjas / Google’s 100 Zeros)   Big Wave: No Room for Error  (Cosm)   D-Day: The Camera Soldier  (TARGO / TIME Studios)  territory  (Double Eye Studios / Kinetic Light)   The Wizard of Oz at Sphere  (Sphere Entertainment Co.) Norman Felton Award for Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television - Drama Andor The Diplomat The Pitt Pluribus Severance The White Lotus Danny Thomas Award for Outstanding Producer of Episodic Television — Comedy The Bear   Hacks   Only Murders in the Building   South Park   The Studio Outstanding Producer of Limited or Anthology Series Adolescence The Beast in Me   Black Mirror   Black Rabbit   Dying for Sex Outstanding Producer of Televised or Streamed Motion Pictures Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy   The Gorge   John Candy: I Like Me   Mountainhead   Nonnas Outstanding Producer of Non-Fiction Television aka Charlie Sheen   Billy Joel: And So It Goes   Mr. Scorsese   Pee-wee as Himself   SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night Outstanding Producer of Live Entertainment / Variety / Sketch / Talk The Daily Show   Jimmy Kimmel Live!   Last Week Tonight with John Oliver   The Late Show with Stephen Colbert   SNL50: The Anniversary Special Outstanding Producer of Game & Competition Television The Amazing Race   Jeopardy!   RuPaul’s Drag Race   Top Chef   The Traitors Outstanding Sports Program 100 Foot Wave   Big Dreams: The Little League World Series 2024 Formula 1: Drive to Survive   Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Buffalo Bills Surf Girls: International Outstanding Children’s Program LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy — Pieces of the Past Phineas and Ferb   Sesame Street   Snoopy Presents: A Summer Musical   SpongeBob SquarePants Outstanding Short-Form Program Adolescence: The Making of Adolescence The Daily Show: Desi Lydic Foxsplains   Hacks: Bit By Bit   Overtime with Bill Maher   The White Lotus: Unpacking the Episode These projects were released between January 1 and December 31, 2025. They underscore the producer’s role as both steward and shield, navigating platforms and ensuring that stories with social weight reach audiences intact. One nominee from each production will participate in a virtual roundtable livestreamed on the Producers Guild YouTube channel on Tuesday, February 25 , continuing a tradition of transparency and dialogue around the producing process. “The PGA is proud to recognize the extraordinary producers and teams whose work reflects their remarkable dedication and commitment to excellence,”  said Donald De Line. The 2026 Innovation Award winners will be selected by a jury co-led by Maureen Fan (Baobab Studios), Joanna Popper ( Finding Pandora X , Breonna’s Garden ), and Angela Russo-Otstot (AGBO). Their collective backgrounds in animation, immersive media, and culturally resonant storytelling signal an understanding that technology and humanity must move together. “Producers have long been central to determining how emerging technologies can be applied responsibly to support ambitious storytelling,” the jury leaders shared. “The producing teams recognized as finalists demonstrate a clear commitment to exploring new possibilities across mediums.” For us at Black Film Wire, this isn’t just awards season coverage. It’s a reminder that producing is where equity can be built. By honoring producers who take risks, uplift marginalized voices, and push form and function forward, the PGA reinforces what many indie and Black creators already know: the future of film and television depends on who is empowered behind the scenes. And that story is still being produced.

Leading Nigerian studio Bluhouse has put out a call for an Igbo-speaking female role. Deadline is January 11. BLUHOUSE Studios, the production house behind films like Freedom Way   (2024) , A Quiet Monday   (2023)  , the Zikoko Life Anthology  Series (2025), and Indie pictures like Obi is A Boy   (2025)   and Kachifo (Till the Morning Come) , has put out a casting call for a female role.  Applicants, between 25 and 35 years, are required to send in a monologue in Igbo as seen in the below picture. The deadline for the application is December 11. As an additional tip, Blessing Uzi  the studio’s Founder, who also serves as a Producer and  Director, via an X  post, enjoined actors to minimize crying.  BLUHOUSE Studios  is a Nigerian Film and Television production company tasked with the production of visual content ranging from Film, Music Videos and Commercials.

AFCON operates like cinema: recurring characters, inherited rivalries, rising stars, and moments that gain meaning over time. For more than six decades, African football has unfolded as long-form storytelling, where nations perform identity and players become myth. AFCON |  Black Film Wire Why Africa's Biggest Tournament is also its Greatest Story For many in the diaspora international audience, football loyalty often begins and ends with European leagues or global mega-sports events. As such, the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) can feel distant or under-contextualized. But that distance has less to do with relevance and more to do with how the story has been told. This week, as Nigeria crushed Mozambique 4-0 with Victor Osimhen,  one of football's top talents, scoring twice, and Egypt's Mohamed Salah delivered a 120th-minute winner to beat Benin 3-1 in extra time, AFCON 2025 reminded the world why it remains one of the continent's most enduring cultural productions. Cameroon's three-week-old  assembled team edged South Africa 2-1 in a dramatic encounter to set up a heavyweight quarterfinal clash with hosts Morocco, while defending champions Senegal, Mali, and tournament favorites Morocco have all secured their places in the final eight. AFCON 2025 Round of 16 Draws  Credit: Fabrizo Romano The players dominating this tournament read like a who's who of global football royalty: Osimhen, the masked goal machine and 2023 African Footballer of the Year. Salah, Liverpool's Egyptian king, is chasing his first AFCON title after two heartbreaking finals. Real Madrid's Brahim Díaz is orchestrating Morocco's title charge on home soil. Manchester United's Amad Diallo, the only player to win two Man of the Match awards in the group stage. And even Kylian Mbappé watched in person, captivated by football that refuses to be packaged into neat, European narratives. This is AFCON. And if you've been sleeping on it, you're missing the greatest unscripted series on earth. AFCON Is Not New, Not Marginal, and Certainly Not Secondary. Founded in 1957, AFCON predates the independence of dozens of African nations. Long before Nollywood, before satellite television, before global streaming platforms, AFCON was already functioning as a pan-African broadcast system, one of the earliest recurring spaces where the continent saw itself reflected, contested, and unified in public view. The history of the Africa Cup of Nations  mirrors Africa’s political and social evolution. The earliest editions were intimate by design: the inaugural 1957 tournament featured just Egypt , Ethiopia , and Sudan ; a small field reflecting a continent still under colonial rule. As the wave of independence swept across Africa in the 1960s and 1970s, newly sovereign nations entered AFCON not merely to compete, but to announce their presence on the world stage. Football became a form of diplomatic language. A flag raised before kickoff, an anthem played to an international audience, a victory broadcast beyond borders, these moments mattered. Over time, participation expanded alongside statehood, transforming AFCON from a modest regional contest into a continental arena where identity, pride, and political visibility were contested in real time. In this way, AFCON helped narrate Africa’s becoming. Victories mattered because they were symbolic. Losses hurt because they were public. Certain nations like Egypt, with their historic continental-based-players-led dominance and Cameroon, with their golden eras, have emerged as  repeat winners, creating rivalries and expectations that span generations. These are long-running narrative arcs, the same raw material that fuels epic cinema. Behind the Lens: AFCON as Major Production What most viewers don't see is the massive production operation behind every AFCON match. According to French broadcaster RMC Sport, AFCON 2025 employs around thirty cameras per stadium, plus drones and high-quality directing, filmed like a European Championship match. In film language, that's 30 different angles captured simultaneously. Squeeze-back camera operators positioned behind the goals. Aerial cinematographers piloting drones. A gaffer managing stadium lighting to ensure broadcast quality across nine venues in six Moroccan cities. A live-switch director in the production truck makes split-second decisions about which emotion the world sees: the player's celebration, the coach's reaction, the fan's tears. Each match activates a cast and crew in the hundreds: Broadcast directors and camera operators; replay technicians and sound engineers; drone pilots and visual effects teams; commentators, translators, photographers; stadium crews, security, and medical staff; digital media teams, advertisers, and brand activators. Millions of dollars are spent on broadcast rights and transmission, stadium upgrades, temporary infrastructure, travel, accommodation, security, media operations, and global distribution. AFCON is industrial-scale media production : a continent-wide operation backed by title sponsor TotalEnergies  (hence the official name: TotalEnergies CAF AFCON ), alongside global partners like TECNO  (Official Global Partner), PUMA  (official match ball), and Morocco’s national railway ONCF  as an Official Sponsor. Layered onto that are pan-African and global commercial partners ; telcos, betting, transport, consumer tech, and tourism brands buying into AFCON as premium global inventory . The rotating Visit Morocco stadium LED perimeter takeovers, comparable to Visit Rwanda’ s Premier League integrations. Premium nation-branding plays, calibrated for hundreds of millions of viewers across broadcast, streaming, and social. So, when we talk about AFCON, we are talking about a different production philosophy . And the numbers and spectacle all prove it. For instance, Sports Business in Africa reported in September 2025 that brands spent roughly $75 million on sponsorship for the 2023 edition of the tournament. That has almost doubled as beIN SPORTS reported a stunning $126.2 million for this year’s instalment. That’s without accounting for the long-term economic benefits for the host nation, among other beneficiaries.   The Economics of Spectacle To understand AFCON's scale, consider the advertising comparison: A 30-second commercial during the 2025 Super Bowl costs approximately $8 million, with total game advertising revenue reaching hundreds of millions of dollars. While AFCON's advertising figures aren't publicly disclosed at Super Bowl levels, the tournament has secured a record 20 media rights partnerships across over 30 European territories, plus broadcast deals across Africa, the Americas, and Asia. Over 500 million viewers watched the 2024 AFCON final.  This is a global broadcast event with hundreds of millions in infrastructure investment, rights fees, and brand partnerships. The 2024 AFCON reportedly drew a total global audience of over 1.4 billion viewers  across the tournament, with specific matches spiking significantly.  YouTube . Other reports, such as Semafor ’s put AFCON’s overall viewership as high as 2 billion viewers worldwide .  In contrast, the FIFA World Cup remains the world’s most-watched  sporting event  by a wide margin, with around 5 billion viewers over the full tournament  and approximately 1.5 billion tuning in for the final match .   The Super Bowl  is one of the biggest annual live broadcasts in the U.S., with the 2025 game drawing about 127.7 million total viewers , most of them in the U.S. (with only a modest international share), according to Reuters . By comparison, even top-tier global events like the Euros or UEFA Champions League finals draw hundreds of millions globally but still lag well behind the World Cup and major soccer tournaments, according to AS USA .  Morocco alone has invested heavily in tournament infrastructure, including stadium upgrades, transportation networks, and media facilities spending, that sparked domestic protests but underscores the economic weight of hosting. Its broadcast footprint (Europe, Africa, Americas, Asia) situates it among the largest recurring international sporting media events in the world, even if not every global viewer watches every match. In a world where the Super Bowl's biggest audience is 127 million (primarily U.S.) and the Champions League final sits in the 400 million range, AFCON's cumulative tournament reach in the billions signals a massive global engagement that many diaspora viewers simply haven't been told about yet. Great Cinematic Moments: When Sport Becomes Art This tournament has given us Michel Kuka Mboladinga , known as "Lumumba Vea," a 53-year-old Congolese supporter who stands perfectly motionless for 90+ minutes in a blue suit, yellow blazer, and red trousers, the colors of DR Congo's flag, recreating the iconic statue of Patrice Lumumba, the country's assassinated first prime minister. Television cameras found him dressed in a striking outfit, standing firm with his right hand raised in salute, not moving an inch throughout the entire match. In DR Congo's opening game against Senegal, Lumumba Vea stood motionless throughout, deliberately mirroring the statue of the country's independence leader, an act striking in its simplicity yet powerful in its meaning. This is the kind of visual storytelling you cannot script. A live performance art piece embedded in a football match. A political statement. A memorial. An act of resistance happening in real time on a global stage. All of this and then more.  Lumumba Vea during a match between Botswana and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Credit: Daily Sabah For readers more familiar with basketball, American football, or Formula One, it helps to think of football and AFCON specifically through a cinematic lens. There are protagonists and antagonists, like Ghana and Nigeria, who have a fun longstanding footballing beef. Stakes and turning points like with the current Mozambique squad who made their first AFCON Knockout round in history. Underdog arcs like Sudan’s. And triumph, tragedy, and legacy, best exemplified by Mohammed Salah’s treatment coming into this tournament.  This is why football has inspired films across cultures. Pictures like Bend It Like Beckham  and Goal! , and documentaries on global icons, resonate beyond fans. Africa has produced legendary figures whose stories transcend the pitch. Roger Milla , whose joy, longevity, and defiance of age redefined African excellence on the world stage. And globally, football mythology has been shaped by figures like Pelé,  whose Afro-diasporic legacy helped define how the world told football stories. These figures matter because they represent something larger. Why AFCON Matters to the Global Black Audience AFCON is not competing with the Champions League, the NBA Finals, the Super Bowl, the Cricket World Cup, or any other tourney. It is doing something different by offering: football where history, language, and postcolonial reality shape every narrative; stories that refuse simplification; a reminder that sport can still be culturally consequential; and one of the most enduring storytelling platforms Africa has ever built.   Like all great stories, AFCON deserves context because it helps in understanding Africa better. And that is why it matters.  This is the first in a series of Black Film Wire editorials covering the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations through the lens of cinema, culture, and storytelling. Join us as we move from quarterfinals to semifinals to the final, watching not just who wins, but what the winning means.

One African nation makes the cut. As the Oscars narrow their International Feature Film race, Tunisia stands alone  on the global shortlist. Here’s why The Voice of Hind Rajab matters, and what this moment signals for African cinema on the world’s biggest awards stage. The Voice of Hind Rajab (Tunisia), Tunisia’s Official Entry for the 98th Academy Awards® for Best International Feature Film, T he only African film in the running for the Oscar Nominations - January 2026 The Academy has unveiled the 15 films advancing to the next round of voting  in the International Feature Film  category ahead of the upcoming Oscars. The shortlist spans five continents, spotlighting a wide range of national cinemas—from Argentina and Brazil to Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan. Jim Wilson | Courtesy of Peter Searly Notably, Tunisia stands as the only African country  represented on this year’s shortlist , with The Voice of Hind Rajab  carrying the continent’s flag into the final stretch of awards season. Produced by Academy Award nominee James Wilson  (Class of 1991) and directed by two-time Oscar-nominated filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania , the film is set to debut in U.S. theaters on December 17, opening at New York’s Film Forum and Los Angeles’ Laemmle Theatres before expanding nationwide. The full shortlist includes entries from Argentina ( Belén ), Brazil ( The Secret Agent ), France ( It Was Just an Accident ), Germany ( Sound of Falling ), India ( Homebound ), Iraq ( The President’s Cake ), Japan ( Kokuho ), Jordan ( All That’s Left of You ), Norway ( Sentimental Value ), Palestine ( Palestine 36 ), South Korea ( No Other Choice ), Spain ( Sirât ), Switzerland ( Late Shift ), and Taiwan ( Left-Handed Girl ). The Voice of Hind Rajab (Tunisia), the only African film in the running for the Oscar Nominations- January 2026 | Courtesy: Twitter With Oscar nominations set to be announced on Thursday, January 22 , all eyes now turn to whether Tunisia’s submission will break into the final five, continuing a slow but important presence of African cinema on the global awards stage. Africa at the Oscars: A Rare Path to the Final Five African films have historically faced steep odds in the International Feature Film category. Since the category’s creation in 1956, only a handful of African nations have broken through to nominations, and even fewer wins. Notable milestones include: Algeria’s Z  (1969)  — the first African film to win the category South Africa’s Tsotsi  (2005)  — the continent’s most recent win Occasional nominations from countries such as Algeria, South Africa, Burkina Faso, and Tunisia Despite Africa’s vast filmmaking output and cultural influence, submissions from the continent remain underrepresented on Oscar shortlists: often due to limited distribution, campaign funding, and visibility within Academy voting circles. Tunisia’s advancement with The Voice of Hind Rajab  continues a slow but significant tradition: African films pushing through a global system that has rarely centered their stories. Black Film Wire will be tracking the nominations and their wider implications for global and African filmmaking.

With $14.9B in global box office earnings, Zoe Saldaña is now the second-highest grossing movie star of all time. Here’s what the numbers include, what they leave out, and why this moment matters in terms of how Hollywood measures power. Zoe Saldaña didn’t Chase the Spotlight, yet she built a $14.9B Box Office Legacy As first reported by Entertainment Tonight , Zoe Saldaña  has officially become the second-highest grossing box office star of all time , with her films earning an astonishing $14,998,849,825 (fourteen billion, nine hundred ninety-eight million, eight hundred forty-nine thousand, eight hundred twenty-five dollars)  worldwide. Entertainment Tonight called her the “Billion-Dollar Woman.” But the title undersells the significance of what this moment represents. This isn’t just about one franchise hit or one era. It’s about strategic longevity , ensemble dominance, and a quiet redefinition of power in Hollywood. Zoe Saldana in Avatar: Fire and Ash \ Behind the Scenes What Films Make Up the $14.9B? Saldaña’s total reflects the combined global theatrical box office  of every film in which she appears — leads, co-leads, and ensemble roles included. The Avatar  Franchise Avatar  – $2.92B Avatar: The Way of Water  – $2.32B Avatar: Fire and Ash  – currently adding hundreds of millions globally Together, Avatar  contributes well over $5B , making Saldaña the only actor in history  to star in multiple $2B+ films. Zoe Saldana in Avatar: Fire and Ash \ Behind the Scenes The Criticism, Too While critics continue to debate the franchise’s colonial framing, some calling it “extractive,” others crediting Neytiri as one of cinema’s most sustained depictions of Indigenous resistance, the box office remains unmoved. Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy  & Avengers As Gamora, Saldaña became a core emotional anchor of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Marvel films featuring Saldaña account for over $7B  of her total, achieved without ever being the titular hero. Guardians of the Galaxy  – $773M Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2  – $869M Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3  – $845M Avengers: Infinity War  – $2.05B Avengers: Endgame  – $2.79B Avatar Star Trek Star Trek  – $385M Star Trek Into Darkness  – $467M Star Trek Beyond  – $343M Zoe Saldana in Trek: Into The Darkness | Imdb  Another $1.1B+  added before Avatar  and Marvel reached full dominance. And What About From Scratch ? Netflix originals do not count toward box-office totals  because they are not theatrical releases . Saldaña’s intimate Netflix romance From Scratch , set partly in Italy, does not  count toward box office totals because it was a streaming-only release. (But culturally, it matters. From Scratch  reminded audiences that Saldaña’s power extends beyond CGI worlds, reaffirming her range and quietly expanding her audience. So while From Scratch  doesn’t move the $14.9B needle numerically, it strengthens her legacy and versatility , which is why it absolutely belongs in this conversation. Box office measures revenue proximity . Legacy measures choice . And Saldaña has both.  Scarlett Johansson, Zoe Saldana, Samuel L Jackson sit on the top 3 highest grossing actors - Image: Black Film Wire Where She Ranks Saldaña now sits: Just behind Scarlett Johansson  ($15.4B) Just ahead of Samuel L. Jackson  ($14.6B) Among the top five highest-grossing stars: Two are women Two are people of color One is an Afro-Latina woman Hollywood didn’t build this system for Saldaña and yet she mastered it. Saldana in action, Avatar Movie BTS Top 10 Highest-Grossing Box Office Stars (Approx.) Scarlett Johansson – $15.4B Zoe Saldaña  – $14.99B Samuel L. Jackson – $14.6B Robert Downey Jr . – $14B Chris Pratt  – $13B Tom Cruise  – $12.5B Chris Hemsworth  – $11.7B Vin Diesel  – $11.5B Dwayne Johnson  – $11.4B Leonardo DiCaprio  – $10.9B Representation Snapshot Women:  2 / 10 People of Color:  3 / 10 Black Women:  1 / 10 Beyond Blue Skin: From Space Warriors to Soft Romance What makes Saldaña’s achievement especially striking is her range. Yes, she’s a sci-fi titan, with Guardians of the Galaxy  (and sequels) as Gamora and Avengers: Endgame. But she’s also shown a quieter, deeply intimate side, notably in the tender Netflix romance From Scratch , set partly in Italy. The series reminded audiences that behind the franchises is an actress capable of softness, longing, and everyday vulnerability. That balance, spectacle and  soul  is rare at this level. Zoe Saldana in “Scratch” | Credit : Jessica Brooks/Netflix Where She’s From, and Who She’s Doing This For Saldaña is proudly Afro-Latina , born in New Jersey to Dominican and Puerto Rican parents, and raised partly in the Dominican Republic. She has consistently spoken about identity, language, and visibility, often without making it a marketing hook. Zoe Saldana and her children twins Cy Arido Perego and Bowie Ezio Perego with Zen Anton Hilario Perego attend the world premiere of Disney and Pixar's "Elio" at the El Capitan Theatre in Los Angeles on June 10, 2025. Lisa O'connor/AFP via Getty Images She’s also a mother of three sons , whom she jokingly refers to as “Gen-Alpha kids,”  and, in a now-viral anecdote, she’s shared that they still haven’t fully grasped just how famous their mother is . (They haven’t even watched most of her films yet, especially Avatar.) There’s something poetic and even cute about that. A Legacy Written in Numbers, and Choice Box office rankings tell us who stands closest to money, not who carries the most risk, emotional labor, or cultural weight. They reward ensemble proximity over authorship, franchise longevity over originality, and systems built to replicate familiarity. Zoe Saldaña became indispensable without being centered. Bankable without being branded. Historic without being loud. If the industry measured emotional gravity, narrative necessity, or cultural translation across borders, the numbers might look even more radical. Zoe Saldaña didn’t chase headlines. She didn’t build a persona around controversy. She earned her place, repeatedly, across decades, genres, and global markets. Saldaña is quietly rewriting the blueprint of what sustained, global stardom can look like for women, and for women of color in Hollywood. And she’s not done yet. Until then, $14.9 billion will have to speak for itself.

A South African rom-com that's equal parts sexy, sweet, and stunning, featuring Masali Baduza and Ntobeko Sishi in a slow-burn romance you won't forget Masali Baduza as Amahle stares longingly at Ntobeko Sishi's Memo in a moment of raw affection.  Rating: ★★★★☆ South African cinema just delivered one of 2025's most charming rom-coms. And I'm not exaggerating when I say Love and Wine  is a visual and emotional feast that deserves all your attention. Director Amanda Lane  has crafted something special here, a film that takes the classic "rich person pretends to be poor" trope and infuses it with so much heart, humor, and stunning South African beauty that you'll forget you've seen this story before. The Setup That Works The premise is straightforward but charming: At an annual wine festival hosted by his father's company, privileged heir Memo ( Ntobeko Sishi)  makes a bet with his bff  & driver: they'll swap identities to prove he can win love without his rich kid swag . Enter our leading lady, Amahle ( Masali Baduza ), a captivating med student he locks eyes with across the vineyard. It's love at first sight, that electric moment where the world stops spinning. But just as quickly as the connection sparks, she slips away into the crowd, leaving Memo enchanted and determined. Fast forward, and our lovesick hero takes an ‘internship' at his father's company (you know, the one he technically already owns), where fate-or-excellent-screenwriting keeps crossing his path with hers. Now fully committed to the charade, he hides his wealth to win her heart on equal footing. Yes, we know where this is heading. Yes, we know the lie will unravel spectacularly. But here's the thing: Love and Wine  isn't trying to reinvent the wheel. It's giving us that wheel dipped in Cape Town sunlight, rolled through vineyards, and served with a side of genuine chemistry that makes the familiar feel fresh. Casting Magic: Where Did They Find These People?! Can we just take a moment to appreciate the casting director? Because “Wow !” They assembled a group of actors so attractive and talented that it should be illegal. Masali Baduza  (who you might recognize from The Woman King ) is absolutely stunning. I'm talking about chocolate skin that looks like she bathes in cocoa butter (that actually smells like cocoa butter) just glowing, radiant, gorgeous. And that waistline? Please. Then comes THAT scene, you know the one where she appears in a dangerously gorgeous red dress. It's giving femme fatale. It's giving confidence. It's giving "Yes, I know exactly what I'm doing to you." We're full-on fangirling here. Ntobeko Sishi  (who plays the rich kid Memo pretending to be poor) has this sexy metro-urban vibe. He's giving Nigeria's heartthrob Timini Egbuson  energy but with even more edge and swagger. Slightly younger, ridiculously handsome, and that modern African masculinity that's impossible to look away from. Even the other guy pretending to be rich is hot! The casting director truly understood the assignment. Thandolwethu Olly Zondi and Ntobeko Sishi look “Hot, hot, hot” in this romcom. And the supporting cast? Chef's kiss.   Thando Thabethe  (who we loved in   How to Ruin Christmas ) brings both dramatic chops and impeccable comic timing. She's the kind of actress who can make you cry and laugh in the same scene.  Thando Thabethe in Love and Wine | Instagram . Then there's Desmond Dube , another How to Ruin Christmas  alum and Hotel Rwanda  veteran, who delivers comedy gold throughout the film. That man and the absolutely RIDICULOUS rat chase scene? Chef's kiss.  It's the kind of physical comedy chaos that Dube has perfected, the’ C’ in Comedy might as well stand for his name. Whether it's this film or his other work, the man knows how to steal a scene and leave you gasping for air from laughter.                          Desmond Dube in Love and Wine | Instagram . Stars Thando Thabethe, Masali Baduza, and Ntobeko Sishi at The Love + Wine premiere. | Instagram This ensemble feels like the spiritual successor to Netflix's beloved Forever  series. There's that same energy, likeable, attractive people you genuinely want to spend time with. Chemistry That Sizzles The chemistry between Baduza and Sishi is electric . The kind that makes you grin at your screen like an absolute fool even when you know exactly what's about to happen. Sishi brings charm and vulnerability to Memo that makes his increasingly ridiculous lies somehow endearing rather than infuriating. And Baduza? She's magnetic, giving her character depth and agency while never falling into the trap of being just the object of affection. The slow burn between them is masterfully paced. Lane understands that rushing romance is like drinking wine too fast, you miss all the subtle notes. Every lingering glance, every almost-touch, every moment of yearning and "Should I tell her the truth?" builds on the last until you're practically shouting at the screen. And here's what's refreshing: this is romance without the crass. Unlike some recent offerings ( cough   Beauty in Black   cough ), Love and Wine  proves you don't need hours of soft porn to create heat. The yearning, the tension, the slow burn…it's all there, simmering beautifully beneath the surface. You feel  the attraction between all the parallel couples in the story, and the film's sweet irony is that it proves attraction isn't just about money or status. Connection, chemistry, personality, those things matter. A Love Letter to South Africa But what truly elevates Love and Wine  beyond your standard rom-com is its setting. The Western Cape is practically a third lead character. The cinematography is breathtaking. Vineyard scenes bathed in golden hour light, Cape Town's vibrant streets, intimate moments framed against mountain vistas—every shot feels intentional and lush. The colors pop with an energy that makes you want to book a flight to South Africa immediately. Romance Meets Comedy—Perfectly Balanced Here's something rare: Love and Wine  is genuinely funny. Not just rom-com cute, but laugh-out-loud hilarious. The script balances romantic yearning with comedic chaos as the lies spiral in increasingly absurd (but never unbelievable) ways. One minute you're swooning, the next you're cackling at the ridiculousness of it all. The supporting cast elevates every comedic moment. Thabethe and Dube in particular steal scenes with their timing and delivery. But the humor never undercuts the romance. The film understands that real relationships are built on laughter as much as longing. The Sweet Payoff What makes Love and Wine  truly satisfying is that it delivers on its promises. Both our boys get what they want in the end, not through deception but through growth and honesty. The film's message is clear: money can open doors, but it can't create genuine connection. The parallel love stories weave together beautifully, each one proving that attraction, personality, and real connection trump status and wealth every time. By the end, you believe in every couple, you've laughed more than you expected, and you're left with that warm, fuzzy feeling that only the best rom-coms can deliver. It's the kind of movie that reminds you why we love love stories in the first place. Final Sip Love and Wine  is proof that you don't need to reinvent genres to create something wonderful. You just need talented actors, a director with vision, a gorgeous location, and genuine heart. This is a film that knows what it is and executes it beautifully. It's cozy, it's sexy, it's funny, it's touching, and it's one of those rare rom-coms where you'll actually believe in the love story. Perfect for a date night, a girls' night-in, or honestly, any night when you need to remember why we love love stories in the first place. The slow burn pays off. The colors dazzle. The chemistry sizzles. And by the end, you'll be wishing you could stay in this world just a little bit longer. Best enjoyed with:  A glass of South African wine, your favorite person, and a willingness to believe in the magic of slow-burn romance. Bottom line:  Love and Wine is the comfort watch we all need—heartfelt and utterly charming. Don't miss it.

Michael B. Jordan  is starting 2026 strong. The actor has been tapped to receive the Icon Award at the   Palm Springs International Film Awards , one of the first big events of awards season. Jordan’s year has been nothing short of impressive. His dual performance in   Sinners  has critics talking, and fans can’t stop buzzing about it. Palm Springs doesn’t do competitive awards like the Oscars, but its honors carry weight, they often spotlight the performances and careers that will dominate conversations for months. Artwork for Ryan Coogler's Sinners For Jordan, this is recognition of a career that’s built on smart choices and cultural impact, from   Fruitvale Station  to  Black Panther,  and now Sinners. He’s shaping narratives and representing Black talent at the center of awards-season conversations. A shot of Michael B. Jordan as Stack and Smoke in Sinners . If awards season is a marathon, Jordan just claimed an early mile marker, and it’s clear he’s one of the names everyone will be talking about in the weeks ahead.