Black Reel Award for Best Breakthrough Performance


Here are the list of nominees and winners of the Black Reel Award for Best Breakthrough Performance.
Jennifer Hudson, Lupita Nyong'o & Octavia Spencer are the only Black Reel Award winners to win an Academy Award for their breakthrough performances. Quvenzhané Wallis, Barkhad Abdi & Gabourey Sidibe earn Academy Award nominations.
2014 marked the first time that the category was split by gender.

Winners and nominees

YearWinnerNomineesSource
2016Abraham Attah
2016Kiersey Clemons
  • Chanel Iman - Dope
  • Assa Sylla - Girlhood
  • Kitana Kiki Rodriguez - Tangerine
  • Mya Taylor - Tangerine
    • 2015Tyler James Williams
  • Andre Holland
  • Brandon P. Bell
  • David Gyasi
  • Stephan James
    • 2015Teyonah Parris
  • Amber Stevens
  • Jillian Estell
  • Patina Miller
  • Kuoth Wiel
    • 2014Barkhad Abdi
  • Tequan Richmond
  • Chadwick Boseman
  • Lakeith Stanfield
  • Skylan Brooks
    • 2014Lupita Nyong'o
  • Melonie Diaz
  • Tashiana Washington
  • Lindiwe Matshikiza
  • Danai Gurira
    • 2013Quvenzhané Wallis
  • Dwight Henry
  • Omar Sy
  • Amandla Stenberg
  • Emayatzy Corinealdi
    • 2012Adepero Oduye
  • Kim Wayans
  • Octavia Spencer
  • John Boyega
  • Gugu Mbatha-Raw
    • 2011Tessa Thompson
  • Omari Hardwick
  • Yaya DaCosta
  • Zoë Kravitz
  • Amari Cheatom
    • 2010Gabourey Sidibe
  • Nicole Beharie
  • Quinton Aaron
  • Jamal Woolard
  • Souléymane Sy Savané
    • 2008Dev Patel
  • Omar Benson Miller
  • Columbus Short
  • Saïd Taghmaoui
  • Tristan Wilds
    • 2007Jennifer Hudson
  • Jaden Smith
  • Paula Patton
  • Shareeka Epps
  • Keke Palmer
    • 2006Brandon T. Jackson
  • Ashanti
  • Tyler Perry
    • 2005Sharon Warren
  • C.J. Sanders
  • Anthony Mackie
    • 2004Naomie Harris
  • Romeo Miller
  • Wentworth Miller
    • 2003Derek Luke
  • Beyoncé Knowles
  • Bow Wow
  • Raven Goodwin
  • Nick Cannon