The 53rd annual NAACP Image Award nominees were announced on January 18th, 2022. Congratulations to the Tisch alumni, faculty, and friends nominated for an award! The NAACP Image Awards is an annual ceremony presented by the U.S.-based National Association for the Advancement of Colored People to honor outstanding performances in film, television, theatre, music, and literature.
This year, we're thrilled to celebrate the 34 alumni, faculty, and friends nominated across 25 categories for their work on 28 projects.
Join us in cheering on the Tisch community on Saturday, February 26! See the list of Tisch nominees below, and the full list of NAACP Image Award nominees here.
Outstanding Motion Picture
Judas and the Black Messiah
Shaka King '13 (MFA, Kanbar Institute, Grad Film), director/producer
Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture
Swan Song
Mahershala Ali '00 (MFA, Grad Acting)
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
King Richard
Aunjanue Ellis '95 (MFA, Grad Acting)
Outstanding Independent Motion Picture
American Skin
Spike Lee '82 (MFA, Grad Film), Hon. '98, faculty, producer
Eyimofe (This is My Desire)
Chuko Esiri '17 (MFA, Grad Film), producer
Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture
King Richard
Aunjanue Ellis '95 (MFA, Grad Acting)
The Harder They Fall
Edi Gathegi '05 (MFA, Grad Acting)
Terrence Clowe '93 (BFA, Drama)
Outstanding Animated Motion Picture
Vivo
Laurence Mark '73 (MA, Cinema Studies), executive producer
Outstanding Comedy Series
Harlem
Malcolm D. Lee '01 (MFA, Kanbar Institute, Grad Film), executive producer
Britt Matt '07 (MFA, Goldberg Department of Dramatic Writing), producer
Insecure
Melina Matsoukas '03 (BFA, Kanbar Institute, Film & TV), executive producer
Laura Kittrell '08 (BFA, Kanbar Institute, Film & TV), co-executive producer/co- producer/producer/screenwriter
Jason Lew '03 (BFA, Drama) co-producer/writer
Outstanding Drama Series
9-1-1
Ravi Subramanian '95 (BFA, Kanbar Institute, Film & TV), co-producer
Pose
Todd Kubrak '06 (BFA, Drama), co-producer
Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series
This is Us
Sterling K. Brown '01 (MFA, Grad Acting)
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
Grey's Anatomy
Chandra Wilson '91 (BFA, Drama)
This is Us
Susan Kelechi Watson '03 (MFA, Grad Acting)
Outstanding Animated Series
Big Mouth
Brandon Kyle Goodman '09 (BFA, Drama), writer/Walter
Outstanding Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special
Genius: Aretha
Brian Grazer (Dean's Council), executive producer
Suzan-Lori Parks (Faculty), executive producer / executive producer
Clive Davis '53 (BA, Washington Square College) '11 HON, executive producer
Love Life
Bridget Bedard '01 (MFA, Kanbar Institute, Grad Film), executive producer / executive producer / co-executive producer
Sam Boyd '12 (BFA, Kanbar Institute, Film & TV), executive producer / co-executive producer / executive producer
Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series
Pen15 – Blue in Green
Maya Erskine '09 (BFA, Drama)
Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture
Zola
Janicza Bravo '03 (BFA, Drama)
Judas and the Black Messiah
Shaka King '13 (MFA, Kanbar Institute, Grad Film)
Candyman
Nia DaCosta '11 (BFA, Kanbar Institute, Film & TV)
Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series
Insecure – Reunited, Okay?!
Melina Matsoukas '03 (BFA, Kanbar Institute, Film & TV)
Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture
King Richard
Reinaldo Marcus Green '16 (MFA, Kanbar Institute, Grad Film)
Judas and the Black Messiah
Shaka King '13 (MFA, Kanbar Institute, Grad Film)
Outstanding Directing in a Documentary (Television or Motion Picture)
The One and Only Dick Gregory
Andre Gaines '06 (MFA, Goldberg Department of Dramatic Writing)
NYC Epicenters 9/11➔2021½
Spike Lee '82 (MFA, Grad Film), Hon. '98, faculty
Outstanding Society and Culture Podcast
Questlove Supreme
Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson, faculty (Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music)
Outstanding Arts and Entertainment Podcast
Questlove Supreme
Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson, faculty (Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music)
Outstanding Variety Show (Series or Special)
A Black Lady Sketch Show
John Skidmore '08 (BFA, Kanbar Institute, Film & TV), producer
Outstanding Children's Program
Waffles + Mochi
Alex Braverman '04 (BFA, Kanbar Institute, Film & TV), co-executive producer
Outstanding Short Form Series – Comedy or Drama
Two Sides: Unfaithful
Francesca Smith '13 (BFA, Drama), executive producer
Outstanding Short Form Series or Special – Reality/Nonfiction
Lynching Postcards: Token of a Great Day
Christine Turner '04 (BFA, Kanbar Institute, Film & TV), producer
Outstanding Documentary (Film)
Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)
Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson, faculty (Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music), executive producer
Outstanding Documentary (Television)
High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America
Sarba Das '03 (MFA, Kanbar Institute, Grad Film), executive producer
We apologize for any omissions. Please send edits or additions to tsoa.alumni@nyu.edu.