The Esiri twins are honoured for Neon's Clarissa, a Mrs. Dalloway reimagining set in contemporary Lagos, which opens in select theatres on December 11.
The Critics Choice Association announced the full slate of honorees for its ninth annual Celebration of Black Cinema & Television on Tuesday. Among them are twin brothers Arie and Chuko Esiri, who will receive the Breakthrough Director Award for Neon's Clarissa. The event takes place on November 16 in Los Angeles, hosted by Roy Wood Jr.
Clarissa reimagines Virginia Woolf's Mrs. Dalloway in contemporary Lagos, Nigeria. Sophie Okonedo, a Tony Award winner who is also an honoree, stars alongside David Oyelowo, Ayo Edebiri, India Amarteifio and Toheeb Jimoh. The film premiered in the Directors' Fortnight section of the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, where it became only the second Nigerian feature the festival has ever selected. It opens in select theatres on December 11.
Shawn Edwards, the celebration's executive producer and writer, said that at a time when there has been a direct assault on Black culture and Black history, the CCA stands firmly committed to recognising the best in Black cinema and television. Edwards explained why the event continues every year:
"This isn't something that we have to do, it's something that we want to do."
Debbie Allen receives the Icon Award for a career of nearly five decades across television, film and theatre. Quinta Brunson, creator and star of ABC's Abbott Elementary, is receiving the Groundbreaker Award. Chiwetel Ejiofor will be honoured with the Vanguard Award for his work in A24's horror film Backrooms, and Chris Rock takes the Director Award for Misty Green, the fourth narrative feature he has directed.
Lamorne Morris gets the Comedy Award for his role as Robbie Robertson in Prime Video's superhero series Spider-Noir. Katori Hall, a Pulitzer Prize winner, will receive the Showrunner Award for P-Valley, which she created from her own play. The Starz series returns on December 4 for its third and final season. Jaafar Jackson is honoured with the Actor Award - Film for Michael, which marks his acting debut, and Anthony Mackie with the Actor Award - Series for 12 12 12, which premieres on Apple TV on November 13.
Stephan James will be honoured for playing Carl Weathers in I Play Rocky, Ato Essandoh for his role as Stuart Hayford in Netflix's The Diplomat, and Quincy Tyler Bernstine for her role as Nora Washington in Hulu's Furious. Bernstine's award carries a special Starz #TakeTheLead designation. Jaalen Best takes the Rising Star Award for playing Cassius Clay in Prime Video's The Greatest. Okonedo will receive the Supporting Actress Award - Film for Mouse, a coming-of-age drama that premiered at the Berlin Film Festival.
The celebration premieres on the CCA's official YouTube channel in December, after the November 16 event.
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