Felicity Huffman
honored by African-American critics

Crash, the Los Angeles ensemble drama about the prejudices of intersecting characters, has been selected as the top film of the year by the African-American Film Critics Association. Besides Crash, the AAFCA chose nine other movies as the top films of the year: The Constant Gardener; Good Night, and Good Luck; Brokeback Mountain; Syriana; Walk the Line; Hustle & Flow; Capote; Batman Begins; and North Country. "The films selected for 2005 boldly reflect a bridge toward tolerance," AAFCA president Gil Robertson IV said in a statement this week. Last year Ray was selected by the AAFCA as 2004's best film. The association was founded in 2003.

The AAFCA chose Terrence Howard as best actor for his performance in Hustle & Flow. Felicity Huffman earned best-actress recognition for her gender-bending role in Transamerica. "Although our organization pays special attention to work by artists of African descent, in the end, merit carries the day, and Ms. Huffman is undeniably amazing in this role," Robertson said. John Singleton, the producer of Hustle & Flow, was given the achievement honor. Singleton's other films include 2000's Shaft, Rosewood, and Boyz n the Hood. (AP)