Ten new categories of the NAACP Image Awards honor African film, TV and recording artists
LOS ANGELES, CA, UNITED STATES, November 3, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — The NAACP is taking its signature celebration of Black achievement worldwide, unveiling 10 new African-focused categories for the 58th NAACP Image Awards. These additions recognize standout work in motion pictures, television, streaming and music produced across the African continent, and for the first time, African creators and entertainment professionals can submit their projects for consideration in these dedicated slots.
This expansion reflects the organization’s deeper push to champion diverse voices and authentic storytelling as African content continues to gain momentum with global audiences. The move gives filmmakers, performers, directors and recording artists from all five African Union regions—Central, Eastern, Northern, Southern and Western Africa—a formal avenue to compete on one of the most prominent stages in entertainment.
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As African film, television and music increasingly shape international culture, the new categories are designed to elevate storytellers whose work is redefining the entertainment landscape beyond Hollywood’s traditional borders.
TEN NEW AFRICAN CATEGORIES
The newly introduced categories span three major entertainment disciplines:
MOTION PICTURE
Outstanding African Motion Picture
Outstanding Actor in an African Motion Picture
Outstanding Actress in an African Motion Picture
Outstanding Directing in an African Motion Picture
TELEVISION & STREAMING
Outstanding African Television Series
Outstanding Actor in an African Television Series
Outstanding Actress in an African Television Series
RECORDING
Outstanding African Album
Outstanding African New Artist
Outstanding African Song
ELIGIBILITY AND SUBMISSION DETAILS
The NAACP invites eligible African filmmakers, actors, directors, television creators, musicians, recording artists and entertainment professionals to submit qualifying work released between January 1, 2026 and December 31, 2026. Projects or performances from earlier years or re-broadcasts will not meet eligibility requirements.
Submissions are open to eligible creators from all 55 African Union member states across the following regions:
Central Africa: Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and São Tomé and Príncipe.
Eastern Africa: Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Northern Africa: Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, and Tunisia.
Southern Africa: Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Western Africa: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.
Applicants are encouraged to review the complete eligibility criteria, submission guidelines and requirements before submitting their work.
Only submitted work will be reviewed for consideration. All entries are evaluated and narrowed to the top five in each category by members of the NAACP Image Awards Nominating Committees, which are comprised of individuals within the entertainment industry (studio/network executives, actors, artists, managers, agents, publicists, journalists, literary agents, and others), NAACP Board members, NAACP Foundation Trustees, staff, partners, and others.
The final submission deadline is Friday, November 13, 2026.
For eligibility requirements and to submit work for consideration, visit https://naacp.submit.live/.
One of the most iconic annual celebrations of Black excellence, the NAACP Image Awards draws the biggest and brightest stars in Hollywood. Previous years’ attendees and winners include Michael B. Jordan, Ryan Coogler, Colman Domingo, Sterling K. Brown, Kamala Harris, Dave Chapelle, Keke Palmer, The Wayans Family, Deon Cole, Cynthia Erivo, June Ambrose, Usher, New Edition, Fantasia Barrino, Angela Bassett, Zendaya, Courtney B. Vance, Will Smith, Viola Davis, Beyoncé, Nicco Annan, Ruth E. Carter, Glynn Turman, Quinta Brunson, Amanda Gorman, Nia Long, Keith David, Jennifer Hudson, Stacey Abrams, Tabitha Brown, Dwayne Wade & Gabrielle Union, Tems, Erica Campbell, Chris Brown, Bruno Mars, Anderson Paak, Silk Sonic, Rihanna, Quavo, Takeoff, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Yara Shahidi, Issa Rae, Janelle Monáe, Tracee Ellis Ross, Serena Williams, Kerry Washington, Method Man, Dominique Thorne, Austin Scott, Tyler James Williams, Kyla Pratt, Jabari Banks, and many more.
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Ariana Drummond
NAACP IMAGE AWARDS
ImagePublicist@naacpnet.org
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Why it matters: This is a significant step in recognizing that Black excellence isn’t confined to the United States—African creators now have a formal, high-profile platform to gain the same visibility as their Hollywood counterparts. As the continent’s entertainment industries continue to grow in global influence, these categories could reshape how international audiences discover and celebrate African storytelling.
