New York Film Critics Circle Awards 2024

90th NYFCC Awards at TAO Downtown

The 90th New York Film Critics Circle Awards celebrated the best in film for 2024, with winners announced on December 3 on their official X account. The annual awards gala is set for January 8, 2025, at TAO Downtown in New York City.

This year’s winners have already sparked excitement, setting the stage for a star-studded celebration. Let’s dive into the standout achievements and those who claimed top honors.

Best Film

The New York Film Critics Circle awarded The Brutalist Best Film of 2024, celebrating its powerful narrative and direction. This win solidifies its place as a standout in this year’s cinematic achievements.

Directed by Brady Corbet, the film tells the story of a Hungarian-Jewish architect rebuilding his life in post-war America. Its emotional depth and stunning visuals have earned critical acclaim.

Best Director

RaMell Ross was awarded Best Director by the New York Film Critics Circle for his remarkable work on Nickel Boys . This honor highlights his unique vision and storytelling mastery.

Based on Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, the film explores the resilience of two boys at a reform school. Ross’s direction brings emotional depth and nuance to this powerful story.

Best Actor

Adrien Brody clinched the Best Actor award at the New York Film Critics Circle for his stellar performance in The Brutalist . This recognition highlights his exceptional ability to bring complex characters to life.

Known for his dedication, Brody’s portrayal reflects his commitment to authenticity and emotional depth. His role in The Brutalist solidifies his reputation as one of the finest actors of his generation.

Best Actress

Marianne Jean-Baptiste has been honored with the Best Actress award by the New York Film Critics Circle for her performance in Hard Truths . This accolade highlights her remarkable talent and the depth she brings to her roles.

In Hard Truths , Jean-Baptiste delivers a powerful performance as Pansy, a woman silently battling depression. Critics have praised her portrayal as “masterful,” skillfully blending raw emotion with subtle nuance to bring the complex character to life.

Best Supporting Actor

Kieran Culkin has been awarded Best Supporting Actor by the New York Film Critics Circle for his powerful performance in A Real Pain . His portrayal showcases his incredible range and depth as an actor.

In A Real Pain , Culkin plays Benji, a man wrestling with his family’s complicated past. His performance has been widely praised for its emotional intensity and realism.

Best Supporting Actress

Carol Kane has been honored with the Best Supporting Actress award by the New York Film Critics Circle for her exceptional performance in Between the Temples .

In Between the Temples , Kane portrays Carla O’Connor, a retired music teacher embarking on a transformative journey to reconnect with her Jewish heritage through a bat mitzvah. Her performance has been praised for its authenticity, beautifully capturing a woman reconnecting with her roots.

Best Screenplay

Sean Baker has been honored with the Best Screenplay award by the New York Film Critics Circle for his work on Anora . This recognition highlights his exceptional storytelling and innovative approach to filmmaking.

Anora is a movie set in Brooklyn’s Brighton Beach, featuring Mikey Madison as Anora, who becomes entangled with the son of a wealthy Russian oligarch. The film has been praised for its blend of raw authenticity, offering a fresh perspective on working-class America.

Best International Film

All We Imagine as Light has been honored with the Best International Film award by the New York Film Critics Circle. This recognition highlights the film’s exceptional storytelling and its significant impact on global cinema.

Directed by Payal Kapadia, the film offers a poignant exploration of sisterhood and resilience among women in Mumbai. Its lyrical narrative and authentic portrayal of contemporary India have garnered critical acclaim, solidifying its place as a standout in international cinema.

Best Animated Film

The NYFCC recognized Gints Zilbalodis’ dialogue-free animated fantasy Flow with the Best Animated Film award, continuing the group’s tradition of supporting inventive storytelling.

Flow follows a solitary cat navigating a post-apocalyptic world, using stunning visuals and animation to convey its narrative. The film was created entirely with the open-source software Blender, showcasing the power of animation without the need for dialogue.

Best Cinematography

Jomo Fray’s cinematography in Nickel Boys earned him the Best Cinematography award from the New York Film Critics Circle. His work is recognized for its unique, immersive style, especially with the way it puts the audience directly in the characters’ shoes, capturing their raw emotions.

The film’s visual storytelling is central to its emotional resonance. Fray and director RaMell Ross used a first-person perspective to draw the viewer into the world of the characters, making every shot feel personal and intense. It’s this innovative approach that truly sets Nickel Boys apart in the world of contemporary cinema.

Best Non-Fiction Film

No Other Land took home the Best Non-Fiction Film award at the New York Film Critics Circle for its powerful portrayal of the Palestinian community in Masafer Yatta.

Directed by a team of Palestinian and Israeli filmmakers, the film captures five years of struggles in a region plagued by military actions and settler violence. Critics have lauded No Other Land for its candid portrayal of the conflict, highlighting the community’s unwavering resistance in the face of adversity.

Best First Film

Janet Planet won the Best First Film award at the New York Film Critics Circle. This debut feature from Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Annie Baker tells the story of an 11-year-old girl, Lacy, and her complex relationship with her mother, Janet, set against the backdrop of rural Western Massachusetts in 1991.

The film explores themes of growing up, family dynamics, and the tensions between childhood innocence and the challenges of adulthood. Critics have praised Janet Planet for its authentic portrayal of the mother-daughter bond and its ability to balance humor with emotional depth.

Special Award

The New York Film Critics Circle honored To Save and Project: The MoMA International Festival of Film Preservation with a Special Award. This festival celebrates the preservation of classic films and the vital work being done to restore and protect cinematic history.

Through this award, the NYFCC recognizes MoMA’s ongoing commitment to preserving and showcasing essential films from around the world. The festival plays a crucial role in ensuring that these films continue to be enjoyed by future generations.

Student Prizes

The New York Film Critics Circle awarded cash prizes to two exceptional students for their work in film criticism and journalism. Alexander Swift, an undergraduate student from Vassar College, and Drew Smith, a graduate student from New York University, were both recognized for their outstanding contributions.

These student prizes celebrate the NYFCC’s support of up-and-coming talent in the world of film criticism. Both students were honored for their impressive dedication to the craft, showcasing promise in their respective fields.

Don’t miss the buzz from another exciting event and check out the Top Artists at the Billboard Music Awards this year.

Honoring Excellence in Film

As the 90th New York Film Critics Circle Awards wrap up, it’s clear that 2024 has been a remarkable year for cinema. The event highlights the importance of honoring exceptional films and performances.

With a rich history of celebrating diverse talent, the NYFCC continues to inspire both filmmakers and audiences. The awards serve as a reminder of the power of film to influence society.

Read how Paisley and MGK Stole The Show at the 2024 PCA Country Awards with a surprising performance.

Recommended,

The 2024 CMA Awards

2024 People’s Choice Awards Struggle With No-Shows

Stunning Red Carpet Moments at LACMA + Film Gala