The African-American Film Critics Association will honor filmmaker George Lucas as well as actors Hattie Winston and Richard Roundtree at their third AAFCA Awards ceremony on January 8.

Lucas, who is the heavyweight behind successful franchises like Star Wars and the upcoming film Red Tails, which centers around the Tuskegee Airmen, will receive the 2011 Cinema Vanguard Award. Roundtree, who will receive the 2011 Legacy Award, was a game changer with his role as the title character in 1971's Shaft. Winston, who was the first Black woman to appear in a nationally televised commercial, will be honored with the 2011 Horizon Award for paving the way for African-American actresses in film, theater and music.  

The organization will also present Sony Pictures Entertainment with the first ever Special Achievement Award and honor the studio for being a leader in creativity and diversity for putting out a long list of classics including A Raisin in the Sun, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, Boyz n the Hood, Ali and The Pursuit of Happyness.  

“AAFCA is thrilled and honored to bestow recognition to an incredible group of honorees this year,” says Gil Robertson IV, founder and president of the organization. “These individuals and institutions have transformed the face of the cinematic arts.”

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(Photo: Albert L. Ortega/PictureGroup)