Variety
'Bees' flies high at Image Awards
"The Secret Life of Bees" received eight noms, including one for top motion picture, for the 40th NAACP Image Awards, announced Wednesday at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.
"Cadillac Records," "Miracle at St. Anna," "Seven Pounds" and "Tyler Perry’s The Family That Preys" round out the best pic category.
Tapped for screenwriting were Gina Prince-Bythewood for "Bees"; Jenny Lumet, "Rachel Getting Married"; Darnell Martin, "Cadillac Records"; Patrik-Ian Polk and John R. Gordon, "Noah’s Arc: Jumping the Broom"; and Paris Qualles, "A Raisin in the Sun."
On the TV side, ABC led all networks with 24 nominations and CBS followed with 14, while the CW and NBC scored 10 each.
"Tyler Perry’s House of Payne" scored six bids — the most of any series — including comedy series. "Ugly Betty" nabbed a nod for comedy series and star America Ferrera was nominated for actress. Other comedy series cited were "The Game," "Everybody Hates Chris" and "30 Rock."
Drama series contenders are "The Wire," "The Unit," "Grey’s Anatomy," "House" and "Lincoln Heights."
In the music category, Columbia Records led with eight bids — five of which went to Beyonce.
Russell Simmons will be feted with the Vanguard Award, and both Al Gore and Dr. Wangari Maathai will receive the Chairman’s Award.
Kudocast, to be hosted by Halle Berry and Tyler Perry, will air on Fox Feb. 12 from the Shrine Auditorium.
The NAACP is celebrating its 100th anniversary.
And the nominees are:
Documentary
"The Black List" (HBO)
"Black Magic" (ESPN)
"CNN Presents: Black in America" (CNN)
"Dare Not Walk Alone" (DNWA Productions)
"Trouble the Water" (Zeitgeist Films)
MOTION PICTURE CATEGORIES
Motion Picture
"Cadillac Records" (Sony Music Film/Parkwood Pictures)
"Miracle at St. Anna" (Touchstone Pictures)
"The Secret Life of Bees" (Fox Searchlight)
"Seven Pounds" (Columbia Pictures)
"Tyler Perry’s The Family That Preys" (Lionsgate)
Actor in a Motion Picture
Derek Luke - "Miracle at St. Anna" (Touchstone Pictures)
Don Cheadle - "Traitor" (Overture Films)
Jeffrey Wright - "Cadillac Records" (Sony Music Film/Parkwood Pictures)
Rob Brown - "The Express" (Universal Pictures)
Will Smith - "Seven Pounds" (Columbia Pictures)
Actress in a Motion Picture
Alfre Woodard - "Tyler Perry’s The Family That Preys" (Lionsgate)
Angela Bassett - "Tyler Perry’s Meet The Browns" (Lionsgate)
Dakota Fanning - "The Secret Life of Bees" (Fox Searchlight)
Queen Latifah - "The Secret Life of Bees" (Fox Searchlight)
Rosario Dawson - "Seven Pounds" (Columbia Pictures)
Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
Cedric the Entertainer - "Cadillac Records" (Sony Music Film/Parkwood Pictures)
Columbus Short - "Cadillac Records" (Sony Music Film/Parkwood Pictures)
Dev Patel - "Slumdog Millionaire" (Fox Searchlight)
Mos Def - "Cadillac Records" (Sony Music Film/Parkwood Pictures)
Nate Parker - "The Secret Life of Bees" (Fox Searchlight)
Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
Alicia Keys - "The Secret Life of Bees" (Fox Searchlight)
Beyoncé Knowles - "Cadillac Records" (Sony Music Film/Parkwood Pictures)
Jennifer Hudson - "The Secret Life of Bees" (Fox Searchlight)
Sophie Okonedo - "The Secret Life of Bees" (Fox Searchlight)
Taraji P. Henson - "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" (Paramount)
The nominees listed in the following categories were voted upon by Subcommittees.
Independent Motion Picture
"Ballast" (Alluvial Film Co.)
"Noah’s Arc: Jumping the Broom" (Logo)
"Rachel Getting Married" (Sony Pictures Classics)
"Slumdog Millionaire" (Fox Searchlight)
"The Visitor" (Overture Films)
Foreign Motion Picture
"Captain Abu Raed" (Neoclassics Films)
"The Class" (Sony Pictures Classics)
"Mongol" (Picturehouse)
"Song of Sparrows" (Regent Releasing)
"Under the Same Moon" (Fox Searchlight)
IN THE PRESS
