Last week, a story broke out about accusations of bribery and ballot tampering surrounding the African American Film Critics Association‘s recent awards ceremony.
So what happened?
First of all, full disclosure, this site has editors and contributors who are members of the organization. We’ve been clear about that ever since we published the nomination and winners list. So our goal here is to tell the whole story, not to protect anyone’s ego or agenda.
One of the things people hate about blogs is that its easy to hide behind “we’re not journalists” and just reprint something without research because it’s in a highly-read publication.
And so, we try to avoid gossip at all cost. This story was gossip until we’d spoken to the people involved. As of right now, we have both sides. Now we can talk.
For those who don’t know, In 2003, the African American Film Critics Association was formed. It’s mission: to provide a safe-haven of support and respect for African-American film journalists and the black filmmaking community. Through advocacy and other programs, including awards, AAFCA works to create awareness and opportunities for movies with universal appeal to the African American community. The organization is well known by folks within the industry, and its membership includes some of the most respected African American critics and journalists in the business.
This year, the organization held its first awards ceremony, in Los Angeles. Pictured above is John Singleton and Paula Patton from that night.
In the days that followed that event, allegations came out questioning the voting process. One particular case under discussion is that of Nicole Beharie winning the Best Actress 2009 award for “American Violet.” It is alleged that the actual winner, in terms of votes tabulated, was Gabourey Sidibe for “Precious”.
Officially, the organization has issued the following statement today:
I would like to emphatically state that any and all accusations related to ballot tampering by me or any member of the African American Film Critics Association (AAFCA) is without merit and totally untrue. In addition, claims that the group is divided, near collapse or is calling for my resignation are entirely false.
More from the organization’s co-founder, Gil Robertson:
For six years, the members of AAFCA have successfully balloted without incident to bestow honors to films and individuals representing excellence in cinema, with particular interest in African-American film. At no time in our history has the integrity of the outcome of our selections been called into question. The fact that an incomplete ballot was leaked to the press and used as the basis for a personal vendetta against our collective is an egregious act that threatens the principles of any organization striving toward shared values.
Regarding the accusations that Gil Robertson accepted money to skew the votes a particular way. When we spoke to Gil directly about this, here’s what we learned:
Gil: We reached out to almost every studio out there when we were announcing that we were going to do the award show, and we never heard from anyone. Then I had the idea to do a program for the show. And that’s where the money came in. Otherwise, like with everything else in this business, I had to come out of pocket to make this event happen.
TBBO: So, there were ads sold in the program?
Gil: Yes.
TBBO: Since one of the results in question is Nicole Beharie’s win for her role in “American Violet”, how much did the studio that distributed “American Violet”, Samuel Goldwyn Films, pay for ad placement?
Gil: (laughs) None! that’s part of what shocked me most about the accusations…of all the advertisers we had for the program, we never got a dime from Goldwyn. BUT…we did get an ad from Lionsgate!
TBBO: The studio that distributed “Precious”.
Gil: Yes. So if I was being bribed, Then Gaby should have won for her role in a Lionsgate film! The day after the awards, this young lady (Beharie) saw her name in print as being recognized by Black journalists and critics. To have these allegations come out afterwards is horrible for her. She’s very talented and deserves to be recognized. At some point [Gaby] has to stop being the victim. It was a role.
We’ve also spoken to the organization’s 2009 President, Wilson Morales, who says he stands by his original story, and that he’ll be releasing an official statement of his own. Of course, we will publish that statement in its entirety.
We’re looking forward to a positive resolution to this story that helps elevate film criticism overall. What both parties have agreed upon is that nobody wants infighting in a Black organization.
Robertson says that the AAFCA will go on, and will be announcing 4 events this year associated with sister organizations that include the Screen Actors Guild and Director’s Guild of America. He also says there are plans to work with HBCU journalism departments in an advisory capacity, and another award show in December 2010 that will be “bigger and better than 2009″.
