Black Reel Awards of 2013

The 2013 Black Reel Awards, which annually recognize and celebrate the achievements of black people in feature, independent and television films, took place in Harlem, New York on February 7, 2013. Middle of Nowhere lead the pack with 9 nominations and Steel Magnolias lead the television nominees with 7. Over 25 categories were announced this year. Previously retired categories that returned included: Outstanding Voice Performance, Outstanding Supporting Actor & Actress in a TV Movie, Outstanding Directing & Writing in a TV Movie/Mini-Series. Whitney Houston earned a posthumous nomination in the Outstanding Song category for her duet with Jordin Sparks in the film Sparkle.

Beasts of the Southern Wild was the big winner in the motion picture category taking home four awards including Outstanding Picture and Actress (Quvenzhané Wallis). Django Unchained came a close second with three wins including one for Outstanding Supporting Actor (Samuel L. Jackson). Abducted: The Carlina White Story was the biggest winner in the television category with four wins. In a surprise win, TV One's A Beautiful Soul pulled in upset win for Outstanding Television Movie over heavily nominated TV movies Steel Magnolias and Raising Izzie.

Quvenzhané Wallis and Ava DuVernay were multiple winners each winning two awards.

Winners and nominees
Winners are listed first and highlighted in bold.

Highlights

 * Beasts of the Southern Wild became the big winner with 4 wins. Abducted: The Carlina White Story and Django Unchained took home 3 awards.
 * Ava DuVernay became the second woman to win in the Best Director category. Gina Prince-Bythewood became the first.
 * John Legend, Vondie Curtis-Hall and Alfre Woodard became the first multiple winners in their respective categories (Best Song/Best Director: TV Movie/ Best Supporting Actress: TV Movie).
 * Quvenzhané Wallis continued her history making film career in becoming the youngest Best Actress and Breakthrough winner ever.
 * Denzel Washington continues his winning streak in the Best Actor category with four Best Actor wins.
 * Earning their first Black Reel Award were: Paul Epworth, Behn Zeitlin, Ava DuVernay, Quvenzhané Wallis, Aunjanue Ellis, Sean Patrick Thomas, Elizabeth Hunter, Dan Romer, Samuel L. Jackson, Victoria Thomas, Courtney B. Vance, Nelson George, Sarah Burns, Ken Burns, Diane Gargas and Sheldon Candis,