Kenyan Hollywood actress Lupita Nyong’o has made a remarkable achievement by winning the Black Reel Award for Outstanding Voice Acting for her role in the Oscar-nominated animated film Wild Robot. The prestigious honor was presented to Nyong’o during a virtual ceremony that took place on Monday, as part of the 25th edition of the Black Reel Awards, which recognize and celebrate cinematic excellence in the Black community.
Nyong’o’s portrayal in Wild Robot, a film that follows the journey of a robot stranded on a deserted island, has been praised for her emotive and powerful voice performance. The movie itself is a significant contender in the entertainment industry, not only due to Nyong’o’s exceptional contribution but also for its thematic depth, which resonates with viewers of all ages.
In addition to Nyong’o’s award, Wild Robot also claimed the honor for Best Film Score, underlining the film’s overall artistic success. The award for the score highlighted the crucial role that music played in setting the tone and enhancing the emotional impact of the story.
Despite Wild Robot’s success, the night’s biggest winner was Nickel Boys, the Amazon film adaptation of Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. Nickel Boys emerged as the evening’s star performer, securing six awards, including the coveted Outstanding Film Award. The film also earned praise for its director, RaMell Ross, who was awarded Outstanding Director, further solidifying his position as a leading voice in the world of cinema.
The Nickel Boys sweep didn’t stop there. The film’s screenplay, written by Ross, won the Outstanding Screenplay award, while newcomer director RaMell Ross also earned recognition with the Outstanding Emerging Director award. The film’s impressive visual storytelling was further acknowledged with the Outstanding Cinematography award. Additionally, Nickel Boys won awards for Outstanding First Screenplay and Outstanding Cinematography, cementing its dominance at the ceremony.
As the Black Reel Awards celebrate their 25th anniversary, the ceremony continues to highlight the immense contributions of Black talent to the world of cinema. With such a strong showing from both Wild Robot and Nickel Boys, this year’s awards serve as a testament to the diverse and powerful voices shaping the future of film and television.
For Nyong’o, this latest accolade adds to an already illustrious career and serves as a reminder of her impact in both the animated and live-action film industries.
