In spite of a year where Black protagonists were few and far between, the NAACP Image Awards put together a modestly impressive list of nominations. While films like Bad Boys for Life, Antebellum and The Banker weren’t terribly well received, films like Da 5 Bloods, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, One Night in Miami, and Soul were tremendous successes in terms of popularity and acclaim. More so than in previous years, numerous Oscar contenders are on deck in this year’s nominations, most specifically the previously mentioned four films. Some interesting exclusions occurred on this list. The two actors campaigned as lead from One Night in Miami were ignored while both actors classed as support were mentioned even though no one really thought Aldis Hodge was a contender. With four acting nominations alone for Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, it was a bit surprising that the film was edged out by Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey, a film that has otherwise gotten minimal awards attention this year outside of the Chicago Independent Film Critics nominations. This is an interesting list and puts out some very intriguing vibes for what could meet with the Academy’s approval.

Award Tallies

(10) Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey
(9) Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
(8) Soul
(5) Da 5 Bloods
(4) The Banker, One Night in Miami
(3) The Forty-Year-Old Version, Mr. Soul!

The Nominations

Best Motion Picture

Bad Boys for Life
Da 5 Bloods
Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
One Night in Miami

Best Independent Motion Picture

The 24th
The Banker
Emperor
Farewell Amor
Miss Juneteenth

Best Animated Picture

Onward
Over the Moon
Scoob!
Soul
Trolls World Tour

Best Directing

Radha Blank – The Forty-Year-Old Version
Regina King – One Night in Miami
Gina Prince-Bythewood – The Old Guard
David E. Talbert – Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey
George C. Wolfe – Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

Best Directing in a Documentary

Simcha Jacobovici – Enslaved: The Lost History of The Transatlantic Slave Trade
Keith McQuirter – By Whatever Means Necessary: The Times of Godfather of Harlem
Muta’ali – Yusuf Hawkins: Storm Over Brooklyn
Sam Pollard, Maro Chermayeff – Atlanta’s Missing and Murdered: The Lost Children – Ep. 1 & 2
Yoruba Richen – The Sit-In: Harry Belafonte Hosts the Tonight Show

Best Actor

Chadwick Boseman – Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
Delroy Lindo – Da 5 Bloods
Anthony Mackie – The Banker
Will Smith – Bad Boys for Life
Forest Whitaker – Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey

Best Actress

Viola Davis – Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
Madalen Mills – Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey
Janelle Monae – Antebellum
Issa Rae – The Photograph
Tracee Ellis Ross – The High Note

Best Supporting Actor

Chadwick Boseman – Da 5 Bloods
Colman Domingo – Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
Aldis Hodge – One Night in Miami
Clarke Peters – Da 5 Bloods
Glynn Turman – Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

Best Supporting Actress

Nia Long – The Banker
Taylour Paige – Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
Phylicia Rashad – Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey
Anika Noni Rose – Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey
Gabourey Sidibe – Antebellum

Best Writing

The Forty-Year-Old Version
Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey
Minari
One Night in Miami
Soul

Best Writing in a Documentary

The Beat Don’t Stop
Hollywood’s Architect: The Paul R. Williams Story
A Most Beautiful Thing
Mr. Soul!
The Sit-In: Harry Belafonte Hosts the Tonight Show

Best Documentary

All In: The Fight for Democracy
Coded Bias
John Lewis: Good Trouble
Mr. Soul!
On the Record

Best Short Form (Animated)

Canvas
Cops and Robbers
Loop
The Power of Hope
Windup

Best Short Form (Live Action)

Baldwin Beauty
Gets Good Light
Home
Mr. & Mrs. Ellis
Black Boy Joy

Best International Motion Picture

Ainu Mosir
His House
The Last Tree
The Life Ahead
Night of the Kings

Best Breakthrough Performance in a Motion Picture

Jahzir Bruno – The Witches
Dominique Fishback – Project Power
Madalen Mills – Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey
Dayo Okeniyi – Emperor
Jahi Di’Allo Winston – Charm City Kings

Best Breakthrough Creative in a Motion Picture

Radha Black – The Forty-Year-Old Version
Melissa Haizlip – Mr. Soul!
Nadia Hallgren – Becoming
Loira Limbal – Through the Night
Remi Weeks – His House

Best Ensemble

The Banker
Da 5 Bloods
Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
Soul

Best Character Voice-Over Performance (Television or Film)

Angela Bassett – Soul
Jamie Foxx – Soul
Chris Rock – The Witches
Phylicia Rashad – Soul
Ahmir-Khalib Thompson (Questlove) – Soul

Entertainer of the Year

D-Nice
Viola Davis
Regina King
Trevor Noah
Tyler Perry

Soundtrack/Compilation Album

The First Ladies of Gospel: The Clark Sisters Biopic Soundtrack
Insecure: Music from the HBO Original Series
Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
Soul

NAACP Image Awards Data

Year Founded: 1909
First Awards: 1968 (51)