NAACP Image Awards

Infobox award
name = NAACP Image Awards


imagesize =
caption =
description = Excellence in film, television, music, and literature by outstanding people of color
presenter = NAACP
country = USA
year = 1970
website = http://www.naacpimageawards.net/The NAACP Image Awards is an award presented annually by the American National Association for the Advancement of Colored People to honor outstanding people of color in film, television, music, and literature.

Similar to other awards, like the Oscars and the Grammys, the 35 categories of Image Awards are voted on by members of the NAACP. There are also honorary awards, including the President's Award, the Chairman's Award, Entertainer of the Year and The Image Award Hall of Fame.

The awards were first presented in 1969. The awards series, normally broadcast on a tape delay and aired by Fox Network, was broadcast live for the first time in 2007 for the 38th edition of the awards show. It was first nationally televised in 1974. The ceremonies usually take place in or around the Los Angeles area in February or early March.

Past Shows

Controversy

The NAACP Image Awards have sometimes been the subject of controversy due to claims that certain nominees did not deserve to be honored by the NAACP. For example, in 1994, Tupac Shakur was a nominee for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture for the film "Poetic Justice" although he had been charged in December 1993 with sexually abusing a woman. [cite news | last = | first = | title = Michael Jackson makes surprise appearance at NAACP Image Awards | work = Jet| pages = | date = 1994-01-24| url = http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1355/is_n12_v85/ai_14777970| accessdate =2006-09-29] In 2004, R. Kelly's "Chocolate Factory" was nominated for Outstanding Album [cite web| last = Wiederhorn| first = Jon| authorlink = | title = Outkast, Beyonce, R. Kelly Nominated For NAACP Image Awards| work = VH1.com| date = 2004-01-08| url = http://www.vh1.com/artists/news/1484218/01082004/ashanti.jhtml| accessdate =2006-09-29] although he was under indictment at the time for charges related to child pornography.cite web| last = | first = | title = Paula Zahn Now: Can Democrats Challenge Kerry?; NAACP Controversy; California Death Penalty Debate| work = CNN.com | date = 2004-01-28| url = http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0401/28/pzn.00.html | accessdate =2006-09-29]

Other nominees have faced controversy due to their portrayals of major civil rights figures. In 2003, the movie "Barbershop" received five nominations including Outstanding Motion Picture and Cedric the Entertainer as Outstanding Supporting Actor. The film had been criticized because Cedric's character in the film makes unflattering remarks about Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Jesse Jackson. [cite web | last = | first = | title = Image Awards rekindle 'Barbershop' controversy | work = CNN.com| date = 2003-03-09| url = http://www.cnn.com/2003/SHOWBIZ/TV/03/08/image.awards.ap/ | accessdate = 2006-09-29] The rap group OutKast received six nominations in 2004 but faced criticism because they had previously recorded a song titled "Rosa Parks" which had resulted in them being sued by Parks over the use of her name.

Award categories

Motion picture

* Outstanding Motion Picture
* Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture
* Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture
* Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
* Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture

Television

* Outstanding Drama Series
* Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series
* Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series
* Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
* Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
* Outstanding Director in a Drama Series
* Outstanding Writer in a Drama Series
* Outstanding Children's Program
* Outstanding Comedy Series
* Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series
* Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series
* Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
* Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

* Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
* Outstanding Actor in a Daytime Drama Series

* Outstanding Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special
* Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special
* Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special

* Outstanding Performance in a Youth/Children's Series or Special

* Outstanding News, Talk or Information - Series or Special
* Outstanding Variety - Series or Special

Music

* Outstanding New Artist
* Outstanding Female Artist
* Outstanding Male Artist
* Outstanding Duo or Group
* Outstanding Jazz Artist
* Outstanding Gospel Artist
* Outstanding Music Video
* Outstanding Song
* Outstanding Album

Literature

* Outstanding Literary Work, Fiction
* Outstanding Literary Work, Nonfiction
* Outstanding Literary Work, Children's

pecial awards

* Chairman's Award
* President's Award
* Hall of Fame Award
* Entertainer of the Year

External links

* [http://www.naacpimageawards.net/ The Official NAACP Image Awards Site]

References