The New York Film Critics Circle has kicked off its voting Friday morning for its 2021 awards, with the group taking its customary place as an early barometer of the movie-kudos season.
The NYFCC, founded in 1935, includes critics from daily and weekly newspapers, magazines and online publications and tends to favor more independent fare. Last year, it chose Kelly Reichardt and A24’s First Cow as its Best Film, the marquee among 12 categories up for grabs. Chloé Zhao, who eventually won two Oscars for Searchlight’s Nomadland (Best Picture and Director), won the group’s directing award a year ago.
Past NYFCC Best Film winners include The Irishman (2019), Roma (2018), Lady Bird (2017), La La Land (2016), Carol (2015) and Boyhood (2014).
This year, films released in the greater New York City area either in theaters or on digital platforms between January 1-December 31 are eligible. Winners will be honored at the NYFCC’s gala awards dinner which is planned for January 10 at Tao Downtown.
The NYFCC marks the second of the early critics groups to weigh in with awards this season. On Thursday, the National Board of Review voted Paul Thomas Anderson’s Licorice Pizza from MGM and United Artists Releasing as its Best Film, with Anderson also taking Best Director.
Below is the list of NYFCC categories. Keep checking back throughout the morning as the winners are filled in.
Best Film
Best Director
Best First Film
Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Supporting Actor
Best Supporting Actress
Best Screenplay
Best Cinematography
Best Foreign Language Film
Best Non-Fiction Film
Best Animated Film
