SELMA WINS AT AFRICAN-AMERICAN FILM CRITICS ASSOCIATION

With fears that Selma was being overlooked by critics voting in this year's awards race, or that too few had seen it in order to give it a leg up into it, the African-American Film Critics Association has stepped in to resolve those worries. The group is keener than ever on rewarding black cinema, with all of the winners in its individual categories falling under that description bar J. K. Simmons. Hopes abound now that other critics' groups will take note and recognise Ava DuVernay's film, and not disregard the AAFCA's choice as one motivated by advocacy rather than genuine support. Here are all of their picks:

Best Film

1. Selma

2. The Imitation Game

3. The Theory of Everything

4. Birdman

5. Belle

6. Top Five

7. Unbroken

8. Dear White People

9. Get On Up

10. Black or White

Best Director

Ava DuVernay (Selma)

Best Actor

David Oyelowo (Selma)

Best Actress

Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Belle)

Best Supporting Actor

Tyler Perry (Gone Girl)

J. K. Simmons (Whiplash)

Best Supporting Actress

Octavia Spencer (Black or White)

Best Screenplay

Gina Pryce-Bythewood (Beyond the Lights)

Best Music

Common and John Legend (Selma)

Best Ensemble

Get On Up

Best Animation

The Boxtrolls

Best Documentary

Life Itself

Best World Cinema

Timbuktu

Best Independent Film

Dear White People

Breakout Performance

Tessa Thompson (Dear White People)