12th Annual Visual Effects Society Awards

The Visual Effects Society (VES) announced their awards on February 12th, 2014 with giving away the top prize to none other than GRAVITY. VES has been successfully predicting the Oscar winner for Visual Effects over the years and it's almost certain that Gravity will be proving it once again by winning the Oscar.

FILM

Outstanding Visual Effects in a Visual Effects Driven Feature Motion Picture: GRAVITY

Outstanding Supporting Visual Effects in a Feature Motion Picture: THE LONE RANGER

Outstanding Animation in an Animated Motion Picture: FROZEN

Outstanding Animated Character in a Live Action Feature Motion Picture: SMAUG, THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG

Outstanding Animated Character in an Animated Feature Motion Picture: BRINGING THE SNOW QUEEN TO LIFE, FROZEN

Outstanding Created Environment in a Live Action Feature Motion Picture: EXTERIOR, GRAVITY

Outstanding Created Environment in an Animated Feature Motion Picture: ELSA'S ICE PALACE, FROZEN

Outstanding Virtual Cinematography in a Live Action Feature Motion Picture: GRAVITY

Outstanding Models in a Feature Motion Picture: ISS EXTERIOR, GRAVITY

Outstanding FX and Simulation Animation in a Live Action Feature Motion Picture: PARACHUTE AND ISS DESTRUCTION, GRAVITY

Outstanding FX and Simulation Animation in an Animated Feature Motion Picture: ELSA'S BLIZZARD, FROZEN

Outstanding Compositing in a Feature Motion Picture: GRAVITY

TELEVISION

Outstanding Visual Effects in a Broadcast Program: GAME OF THRONES: VALAR DOHAERIS

Outstanding Supporting Visual Effects in a Broadcast Program: BANSHEE: PILOT

Outstanding Visual Effects in a Commercial: PETA: 98% HUMAN

Outstanding Animated Character in a Commercial or Broadcast Program: PETA: 98% HUMAN

Outstanding Created Environment in a Commercial or Broadcast Program: GAME OF THRONES: THE CLIMB

Outstanding Virtual Cinematography in a Commercial or Broadcast Program: THE CREW

Outstanding FX and Simulation Animation in a Commercial or Broadcast Program: PETA: 98% HUMAN

Outstanding Compositing in a Broadcast Program: GAME OF THRONES: THE CLIMB

Outstanding Compositing in a Commercial: CALL OF DUTY: EPIC NIGHT OUT

OTHER CATEGORIES

Outstanding Real-Time Visuals in a Video Game: CALL OF DUTY: GHOSTS

Outstanding Visual Effects in a Special Venue Project: SPACE SHUTTLE ATLANTIS

Outstanding Visual Effects in a Student Project: RUGBYBUGS

61st Annual Golden Reel Awards

The Motion Picture Sound Editors (MPSE) announced their 61st annual Golden Reel awards on February 16th, 2014 with giving away the top prizes to Captain Phillips, Gravity and the Great Gatsby in their respective categories. Last year, Skyfall and Zero Dark Thirty ended up winning the Oscars while Life of Pi was the winner at the Golden Reel Awards. Let's see how it goes this year.

Here is the complete list of winners:

FILM

BEST SOUND EDITING IN FEATURE FILM - DIALOGUE AND ADR: "Captain Phillips" (Columbia Pictures)

BEST SOUND EDITING IN FEATURE FILM - SOUND EFFECTS AND FOLEY: "Gravity" (Warner Bros.)

BEST SOUND EDITING IN FEATURE FILM - MUSIC: "The Great Gatsby" (Warner Bros.)

BEST SOUND EDITING IN FEATURE FILM - MUSIC, MUSICAL FEATURE: "Frozen (2013)"

BEST SOUND & MUSIC EDITING: SOUND EFFECTS, FOLEY, DIALOGUE & ADR IN AN ANIMATION FEATURE FILM: "Epic" (20th Century Fox)

BEST SOUND & MUSIC EDITING: DOCUMENTARIES - FEATURE FILM: "Dirty Wars" (IFC)

BEST SOUND & MUSIC EDITING: FEATURE FILM - FOREIGN LANGUAGE: "The Grandmasters" (The Weinstein Company)

BEST SOUND & MUSIC EDITING: FEATURE FILM - FOREIGN LANGUAGE: "The Past" (Sony Pictures Classics)

TELEVISION

BEST SOUND & MUSIC EDITING: TELEVISION ANIMATION: "Fairly Odd Parents" - "Dumbbell Curve" (Nickelodeon)

BEST SOUND & MUSIC EDITING: TELEVISION DOCUMENTARY SHORT FORM: "North America: No Place to Hide" (Discovery Channel)

BEST SOUND & MUSIC EDITING: TELEVISION DOCUMENTARY LONG FORM: "Deadliest Catch" - The Final Battle (Discovery)

BEST SOUND EDITING IN TELEVISION: SHORT FORM - MUSIC: "Game of Thrones" - "The Rains of Castamere" (HBO Entertainment)

BEST SOUND EDITING IN TELEVISION: SHORT FORM - MUSIC, MUSICAL: "Peg + Cat: The Beethoven Problem" (PBS)

BEST SOUND EDITING IN TELEVISION: SHORT FORM - DIALOGUE AND ADR: "Game of Thrones" - "The Rains of Castamere" (HBO Entertainment)

BEST SOUND EDITING IN TELEVISION: SHORT FORM - SOUND EFFECTS AND FOLEY: "Breaking Bad" - "Felina" (AMC)

BEST SOUND EDITING IN TELEVISION: LONG FORM - MUSIC, MUSICAL: "History of the Eagles: Part One" (Showtime)

BEST SOUND EDITING IN TELEVISION: LONG FORM - DIALOGUE & ADR: "The Bridge" - Pilot (Shine America)

BEST SOUND EDITING IN TELEVISION: LONG FORM - SOUND EFFECTS AND FOLEY: "Sons of Anarchy" - "Salvage" (FX)

18th Annual Art Directors Guild Awards

The Art Directors Guild (ADG) announced its ADG Excellence in Production Design Awards on February 8th, 2014 with giving away the top prizes to THE GREAT GATSBY, GRAVITY and HER for Period, Fantasy and Contemporary film categories respectively. It's possible that the ultimate Oscar winner will be one of these ADG winners. Last year, LINCOLN won the Best Production Design Oscar and it didn't win the ADG award. Let's see if the same happens this year. Personally, I'd love it if the winner is either GRAVITY or HER.

Here is the complete list of winners:

WINNERS FOR EXCELLENCE IN PRODUCTION DESIGN FOR A FEATURE FILM IN 2013

Period Film: THE GREAT GATSBY, Production Designer: Catherine Martin

Fantasy Film: GRAVITY, Production Designer: Andy Nicholson

Contemporary Film: HER, Production Designer: K.K.Barrett 

WINNERS FOR EXCELLENCE IN PRODUCTION DESIGN IN TELEVISION FOR 2013

One-Hour Single Camera Television Series: GAME OF THRONES, Production Designer: Gemma Jackson (Episode: Valar Dohaeris)

Television Movie or Mini-Series: BEHIND THE CANDELABRA, Production Designer: Howard Cummings

Half Hour Single-Camera Television Series: VEEP, Production Designer: Jim Gloster (Episode: Helsinki)

Short Format, Live Action Series: BATTLE STAR: GALACTICA, Production Designer: Brian Kane

Multi-Camera, Variety, or Unscripted Series: PORTLANDIA, Production Designer: Tyler Robinson (Episode: Missionaries)

Awards, Music, or Game Shows: THE 67th ANNUAL TONY AWARDS, Production Designer: Steve Bass

Commercial, PSA, Promo, and Music Video: CALL OF DUTY: GHOSTS, Production Designer: Todd Cherniawsky (Episode: Epic Night Out)

64th Annual ACE Eddie Awards

The American Cinema Editors (ACE) announced their 64th Eddie Awards on February 7th, 2013 with giving away the top prize to Christopher Rouse for CAPTAIN PHILLIPS in Dramatic category and Jay Cassidy, Crispin Struthers & Alan Baumgarten for AMERICAN HUSTLE in Comedy or Musical category. This has changed the Oscar race situation a little because everyone was expecting GRAVITY to win the Dramatic category award and subsequently win the Oscar as well.

Last year, William Goldenberg won the top prize and he also ended up winning the Oscar for Best Film Editing. Let's see what happens this time.

Here is the complete list of winners:

BEST EDITED FEATURE FILM (DRAMATIC): Captain Phillips, Christopher Rouse, A.C.E.

BEST EDITED FEATURE FILM (COMEDY OR MUSICAL): American Hustle, Jay Cassidy, A.C.E., Crispin Struthers & Alan Baumgarten, A.C.E.

BEST EDITED ANIMATED FEATURE FILM: Frozen, 
Jeff Draheim

BEST EDITED DOCUMENTARY (FEATURE):
 20 Feet from Stardom, Douglas Blush, Kevin Klauber & Jason Zeldes

BEST EDITED DOCUMENTARY (TELEVISION):
 The Assassination of President Kennedy, Chris A. Peterson

BEST EDITED HALF-HOUR SERIES FOR TELEVISION: The Office: “Finale”, David Rogers & Claire Scanlon

BEST EDITED ONE-HOUR SERIES FOR COMMERCIAL TELEVISION: Breaking Bad: “Felina”, Skip MacDonald A.C.E.

BEST EDITED ONE-HOUR SERIES FOR NON-COMMERCIAL TELEVISION: Homeland: “Big Man in Tehran”, Terry Kelley, A.C.E.

BEST EDITED MINISERIES OR MOTION PICTURE FOR TELEVISION: Behind the Candelabra, 
Mary Ann Bernard

BEST EDITED NON-SCRIPTED SERIES: Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown: Tokyo, Nick Brigden

BEST STUDENT EDITING: Ambar Salinas, Video Symphony

41st Annual Annie Awards

The International Animated Film Association (IAFA) announced the winners of 41st annual Annie Awards on February 1st, 2014 with giving away the top prize to none other than FROZEN. Last year, the same award went to WRECK-IT RALPH but the Oscar went to BRAVE. Let's see how it goes this year. I'm hoping for THE WIND RISES to win the Oscar.

Here is the complete list of winners:

PRODUCTION CATEGORIES

Best Animated Feature: “Frozen” – 
Walt Disney Animation Studios
Best Animated Special Production: “Chipotle Scarecrow”
 – Moonbot Studios
Best Animated Short Subject: “Get A Horse!”
 – Walt Disney Animation Studios
Best Animated TV/Broadcast Commercial: “Despicable Me 2″ – Cinemark
 – Universal Pictures
Best General Audience Animated TV/Broadcast Production For Preschool Children: “Disney Sofia the First
” – Disney Television Animation
Best Animated TV/Broadcast Production For Children’s Audience: “Adventure Time” – 
Cartoon Network Studios
Best General Audience Animated TV/Broadcast Production: “Futurama”
 – 20th Century Fox Television
Best Animated Video Game: “The Last of Us” – 
Naughty Dog
Best Student Film: “Wedding Cake” – 
Filmakademie Baden-Wuerttemberg

INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT CATEGORIES

Animated Effects in an Animated Production: Jeff Budsberg, Andre Le Blanc, Louis Flores, Jason Mayer – “The Croods” – 
DreamWorks Animation
Animated Effects in a Live Action Production: Michael Balog, Ryan Hopkins, Patrick Conran, Florian Witzel – “Pacific Rim”
 – Industrial Light & Magic
Character Animation in an Animated Television/Broadcast Production: Kureha Yokoo – “Toy Story OF TERROR!” – Pixar Animation Studios Character
Character Animation in an Animated Feature Production: Jakob Jensen – “The Croods” – 
DreamWorks Animation
Character Animation in a Live Action Production: Jeff Capogreco, Jedrzej Wojtowicz, Kevin Estey, Alessandro Bonora, Gino Acevedo – “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” – Gollum
 – Weta Digital
Character Design in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production: Paul Rudish – “Disney Mickey Mouse”
 – Disney Television Animation
Character Design in an Animated Feature Production: Carter Goodrich, Takao Noguchi, Shane Prigmore – “The Croods”
 – DreamWorks Animation
Directing in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production: Angus MacLane – “Toy Story OF TERROR!”
 – Pixar Animation Studios
Directing in an Animated Feature Production: Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee – “Frozen”
 – Walt Disney Animation Studios
Music in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production: Christopher Willis – “Disney Mickey Mouse”
 – Disney Television Animation
Music in an Animated Feature Production: Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Robert Lopez, Christophe Beck – “Frozen”
 – Walt Disney Animation Studios
Production Design in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production: Angela Sung, William Niu, Christine Bian, Emily Tetri, Frederic Stewart – “The Legend of Korra”
 – Nickelodeon Animation Studio
Production Design in an Animated Feature Production: Michael Giaimo, Lisa Keene, David Womersley – “Frozen”
 – Walt Disney Animation Studios
Storyboarding in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production: Daniel Chong – “Toy Story of TERROR!” – Pixar Animation Studios
Storyboarding in an Animated Feature Production: Dean Kelly – “Monsters University”
 – Pixar Animation Studios
Voice Acting in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production: Tom Kenny as the voice of Ice King – “Adventure Time” – 
Cartoon Network Studios
Voice Acting in an Animated Feature Production: Josh Gad as the voice of Olaf – “Frozen”
 – Walt Disney Animation Studios
Writing in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production: Lewis Morton – “Futurama”
 – 20th Century Fox Television
Writing in an Animated Feature Production: Miyazaki Hayao – “The Wind Rises” 
- The Walt Disney Studios
Editorial in an Animated TV/Broadcast Production: Illya Owens – “Disney Mickey Mouse” – 
Disney Television Animation
Editorial in an Animated Feature Production: Greg Snyder, Gregory Amundson, Steve Bloom – “Monsters University”
 – Pixar Animation Studios

JURIED AWARDS

Winsor McCay Award – Katsuhiro Otomo, Steven Spielberg & Phil Tippett
June Foray Award – Alice Davis
Certificate of Merit – “I Know That Voice” (Documentary)

28th Annual ASC Awards

The American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) announced the winners of the 28th Annual ASC Awards on February 1st, 2014 with giving away the top prize to EMMANUEL LUBEZKI for GRAVITY.

Last year, Roger Deakins won the ASC award for his photography work in Skyfall, but the Oscar for Best Cinematography went to Claudio Miranda for Life of Pi. Let's see what happens this year.

Here is the complete list of winners:

FILM

THEATRICAL RELEASE: Emmanuel Lubezki, ASC, AMC for Gravity

SPOTLIGHT AWARD: Lukasz Zal and Ryszard Lenczewski for Ida

TELEVISION

ONE-HOUR EPISODIC TELEVISION SERIES: Jonathan Freeman, ASC for Game of Thrones (“Valar Dohaeris”)

HALF-HOUR EPISODIC SERIES: Blake McClure for Drunk History (“Detroit”)

TELEVISION MOVIE/MINI SERIES: Jeremy Benning CSC for Killing Lincoln

5th Annual Dorian Awards

The Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association (GALECA) announced the 5th Dorian awards on January 21st, 2014 with giving away the Film of the Year award to 12 Years a Slave, directed and co-produced by Steve McQueen. 

Here is the complete list of winners:

FILM

Film of the Year: 12 Years a Slave

Film Performance of the Year - Actor: Matthew McConaughey, Dallas Buyers Club

Film Performance of the Year - Actress: Cate Blanchett, Blue Jasmine

LGBT Film of the Year: Blue Is the Warmest Color

Foreign Language Film of the Year: Blue Is the Warmest Color

Documentary of the Year: Bridegroom

Campy Flick of the Year: I'm So Excited!

Unsung Film of the Year (tie): Short Term 12 and Kill Your Darlings

Visually Striking Film of the Year: Gravity

TELEVISION

TV Drama of the Year (tie): Behind the Candelabra and Orange Is the New Black

TV Comedy of the Year: Girls

TV Performance of the Year - Actor: Michael Douglas, Behind the Candelabra

TV Performance of the Year - Actress: Jessica Lange, American Horror Story: Coven

TV Musical Performance of the Year: Shirley Bassey, “Goldfinger,” 82nd Academy Awards

LGBT TV Show of the Year: Orange Is the New Black

Campy TV Show of the Year: American Horror Story: Coven

Unsung TV Show of the Year: Getting On

The “We're Wilde About You” Rising Star Award: Laverne Cox

Wilde Wit of the Year: Rachel Maddow

Wilde Artist of the Year: James Franco

Timeless Award (to an actor or performer whose exemplary career is marked by character, wisdom and wit): Lily Tomlin

20th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards

The Screen Actors Guild (SAG) announced the winners of 20th annual Screen Actors Guild awards on January 18th, 2014 with giving away the top prize to AMERICAN HUSTLE co-written and directed by David O. Russell. This is as surprising as one could imagine because with 12 YEARS A SLAVE recently winning the Golden Globe for Best Picture and a shitload of critics awards, everyone was sure that the SAG award would also go to 12 YEARS A SLAVE. But, as AMERICAN HUSTLE also won the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture (Comedy or Musical) and it has such fine performances by great actors, then it's kinda justified but it doesn't increase its chance of winning the Oscar. Not yet. Let's see who wins the Producers Guild Award because it would make things clear.

Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto keep winning the awards wherever they go. They both won Golden Globes and Critics Choice Awards for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor respectively. Plus, Leto has been a critic favorite throughout this season and it's so nice to see him winning because he really gave excellent performance in DALLAS BUYERS CLUB.

BREAKING BAD won the top prize for TV category and Bryan Cranston won the Best Actor prize and he said, "what a way to go," while accepting the awards. Really. What a way to go!

Last year, 4 top prize winners won the Oscars, i.e. Outstanding Performance by Cast, Male Actor, Female Actor and Female Actor in a Supporting Role. Let's see if the same happens this year.

Here is the complete list of winners:

THEATRICAL MOTION PICTURES

Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: AMERICAN HUSTLE

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role: Matthew McConaughey, DALLAS BUYERS CLUB

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role: Cate Blanchett, BLUE JASMINE

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role: Jared Leto, DALLAS BUYERS CLUB

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role: Lupita Nyong'o, 12 YEARS A SLAVE

TELEVISION PROGRAMS

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: BREAKING BAD

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: MODERN FAMILY

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries: Michael Douglas, BEHIND THE CANDELABRA

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries: Helen Mirren, PHIL SPECTOR

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series: Bryan Cranston, BREAKING BAD

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series: Maggie Smith, DOWNTON ABBEY

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series: Ty Burrell, MODERN FAMILY

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, VEEP

SAG AWARDS® HONORS FOR STUNT ENSEMBLES

Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture: LONE SURVIVOR

Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Comedy or Drama Series: GAME OF THRONES

LIFE ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Screen Actors Guild 50th Annual Life Achievement Award: RITA MORENO

8th Annual Excellent Dynamic Activism Awards

The Alliance of Women Film Journalists (AWFJ) announced its 8th Excellent Dynamic Activism (EDA) awards with giving away the Best Film award to 12 Years a Slave, directed and co-produced by Steve McQueen who also won the Best Director award.

Last year, only 6 EDA winners won the Oscars, i.e. Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Foreign Language Film, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Documentary and Best Cinematography award.

AWFJ EDA ‘BEST OF’ AWARDS

Best Film: 12 Years a Slave

Best Director (Female or Male): Steve McQueen - 12 Years a Slave

Best Screenplay, Original: Her – Spike Jonze

Best Screenplay, Adapted: John Ridley - 12 Years a Slave

Best Documentary: Stories We Tell – Sarah Polley

Best Animated Film: The Wind Rises - Hayao Miyazaki

Best Actress: Cate Blanchett - Blue Jasmine

Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Lupita Nyong’o - 12 Years a Slave

Best Actor: Matthew McConaughey - Dallas Buyers Club

Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Jared Leto - Dallas Buyers Club

Best Ensemble Cast: American Hustle

Best Editing: Gravity - Alfonso Cuaron and Mark Sanger

Best Cinematography: Gravity - Emmanuel Lubezki

Best Film Music Or Score: Inside Llewyn Davis – T-Bone Burnett

Best Non-English-Language Film: The Hunt – Thomas Vinterberg – Denmark

EDA FEMALE FOCUS AWARDS

Best Woman Director: Nicole Holofcener - Enough Said

Best Woman Screenwriter: Nicole Holofcener - Enough Said

Kick Ass Award For Best Female Action Star: Sandra Bullock – Gravity

Best Animated Female: Anna (Kristen Bell) in Frozen

Best Breakthrough Performance: Lupita Nyong’o - 12 Years A Slave

Actress Defying Age and Ageism: Sandra Bullock – Gravity

AWFJ EDA Female Icon Award (presented to an actress for the portrayal of the most positive female role model, or for a role in which she takes personal and/or career risks to plumb the female psyche and therefore gives us courage to plumb our own, and/or for putting forth the image of a woman who is heroic, accomplished, persistent, demands her rights and/or the rights of others.): Angelina Jolie for continued commitments to humanitarian causes, and for promoting awareness about breast cancer.

This Year’s Outstanding Achievement By A Woman In The Film Industry (presented only when warranted to a female who has had a banner-making, record-breaking, industry-changing achievement during any given year.): Haaifa Al-Mansour for challenging the limitations placed on women within her culture by making the film Wadjda.

EDA SPECIAL MENTION AWARDS

AWFJ Hall Of Shame Award: The Counselor – Ridley Scott

Actress Most in Need Of A New Agent: Cameron Diaz for The Counselor

Movie You Wanted To Love But Just Couldn’t Award: The Counselor

Unforgettable Moment Award: 12 Years A Slave – Solomon Northrup hanging

Best Depiction Of Nudity, Sexuality, or Seduction Award: Her - Scarlett Johansson and Joaquin Phoenix for their digital lovemaking.

Sequel or Remake That Shouldn’t Have Been Made Award (Tie): Carrie and Oz, Great and Powerful

Most Egregious Age Difference Between The Leading Man and The Love Interest Award: Last Vegas – Michael Douglas and Bre Blair

18th Annual Florida Film Critics Circle Awards

The Florida Film Critics Circle (FFCC) announced their awards on December 18th, 2013 with giving away the Best Film award to 12 Years a Slave, directed and co-produced by Steve McQueen who also won the Best Director award.

Last year, only 5 FFCC winners won the Oscar, i.e. Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Visual Effects. Let's see how it goes this year.

Here is the complete list of winners along with runners-up:

Best Picture:

• 12 Years a Slave


• Runner-up: American Hustle

Best Director:

• Steve McQueen – 12 Years a Slave


• Runner-up: Alfonso Cuaron – Gravity

Best Actor:

• Chiwetel Ejiofor – 12 Years a Slave


• Runner-up: Joaquin Phoenix – Her

Best Actress:

• Cate Blanchett – Blue Jasmine


• Runner-up: Judi Dench – Philomena

Best Supporting Actor:

• Jared Leto – Dallas Buyers Club


• Runner-up: Michael Fassbender – 12 Years a Slave

Best Supporting Actress:

• Lupita Nyong’o – 12 Years a Slave


• Runner-up: Jennifer Lawrence – American Hustle

Best Adapted Screenplay:

• John Ridley – 12 Years a Slave


• Runner-up: Terence Winter – The Wolf of Wall Street

Best Original Screenplay:

• Spike Jonze – Her


• Runner-up: David O. Russell & Eric Singer – American Hustle

Best Cinematography:

• Emmanuel Lubezki – Gravity


• Runner-up: Bruno Delbonnel – Inside Llewyn Davis

Best Visual Effects:

• Gravity


• Runner-up: The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug

Best Art Direction/Production Design:

• The Great Gatsby


• Runner-up: American Hustle

Best Foreign Language Film:

• Blue is the Warmest Color


• Runner-up: The Hunt

Best Animated Film

• Frozen


• Runner-up: The Wind Rises

Best Documentary:

• The Act of Killing


• Runner-up: Blackfish

Pauline Kael Breakout Award:

• Lupita Nyong’o – 12 Years a Slave


• Runner-up: Michael B. Jordan – Fruitvale Station

9th Annual Austin Film Critics Association Awards

The Austin Film Critics Association (AFCA) announced their awards on December 17h, 2013 with giving away the Best Film award to Her, written, directed and co-produced by Spike Jonze whereas the Best Director award went to Alfonso Cuarón for his wonderful direction in space drama Gravity.

Last year, 4 AFCA winners won the Oscars, i.e. Best Actress for Jennifer Lawrence, Best Supporting Actor for Christoph Waltz, Best Suppporting Actress for Anne Hathaway and Best Adapted Screenplay for Chris Terrio. Let's see how it goes this year.

Here is the complete list of winners:

Best Film: Her (Spike Jonze)

Best Director: Alfonso Cuarón, Gravity

Best Actor: Chiwetel Ejiofor, 12 Years a Slave

Best Actress: Brie Larson, Short Term 12

Best Supporting Actor: Jared Leto, Dallas Buyers Club

Best Supporting Actress: Lupita Nyong’o, 12 Years a Slave

Best Original Screenplay: Spike Jonze, Her

Best Adapted Screenplay: John Ridley, 12 Years a Slave

Best Cinematography: Emmanuel Lubezki, Gravity

Best Score: Arcade Fire, Her

Best Foreign Language Film: Blue is the Warmest Color (Abdellatif Kechiche)

Best Documentary: The Act of Killing (Joshua Oppenheimer)

Best Animated Film: Frozen (Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee)

Best First Film: Fruitvale Station (Ryan Coogler)

Breakthrough Artist: Brie Larson, Short Term 12

Best Austin Film: Before Midnight (Richard Linklater)

Special Honorary Award: Scarlett Johansson, for her outstanding voice performance in Her

AFCA 2013 Top Ten Films:

1. Her


2. 12 Years a Slave


3. Gravity


4. The Wolf of Wall Street


5. Inside Llewyn Davis


6. Short Term 12


7. Mud


8. Before Midnight


9. Dallas Buyers Club


10. Captain Phillips

17th Annual Toronto Film Critics Association Awards

The Toronto Film Critics Association (TFCA) announced their awards on December 17th, 2013 with giving away the Best Film award to Inside Llewyn Davis, directed and co-produced by Coen Brothers whereas the Best Director award went to Alfonso Cuarón for his wonderful direction in space drama Gravity.

Last year, only one TFCA winner won the Oscar, i.e. Best Foreign Language Film for Amour. Let's see how this goes this year.

Here is the complete list of winners:

Best Film: Inside Llewyn Davis

Best Canadian Film: Watermark

Best Director: Alfonso Cuarón

Best Actor: Oscar Isaac (Inside Llewyn Davis)

Best Actress: Cate Blanchett (Blue Jasmine)

Best Supporting Actor: Jared Leto (Dallas Buyers Club)

Best Supporting Actress: Jennifer Lawrence (American Hustle)

Best Screenplay: Spike Jonze (Her)

Best First Feature: Neighboring Sounds

Best Animated Feature: The Wind Rises

Best Foreign Language Film: A Touch of Sin

BMO Allan King Best Documentary: The Act of Killing

47th Annual Kansas City Film Critics Circle Loutzenhiser Awards

The Kansas City Film Critics Circle (KCFCC) announced the winners of 47th annual Loutzenhiser Awards on December 15th, 2013 with giving away the Best Film award to 12 Years a Slave, directed and co-produced by Steve McQueen who also won the Best Director award and shared it with Alfonso Cuarón who won the Best Director award for Gravity. Both of them are deserving winners and I couldn't be more happy with this choice by Kansas Circle. Additionally, 12 Years a Slave was their favorite as it was the biggest winner taking home all the acting awards except Best Actress and also winning the screenplay award for John Ridley.

Last year, 6 KCFCC winners won the Oscars and most of them were acting wins (you can view the previous year's winners here: 46th Annual Kansas City Film Critics Circle Loutzenhiser Awards). Let's see what will happen this year!

Here is the complete list of winners:

Best Film: 12 Years a Slave

Robert Altman Award for Best Director – Tie: Alfonso Cuaron, Gravity & Steve McQueen, 12 Years a Slave

Best Actor: Chiwetel Ejiofor, 12 Years a Slave

Best Actress: Sandra Bullock, Gravity

Best Supporting Actor: Michael Fassbender, 12 Years a Slave

Best Supporting Actress: Lupita Nyong’o, 12 Years a Slave

Best Original Screenplay: Spike Jonze, Her

Best Adapted Screenplay: John Ridley, 12 Years a Slave

Best Animated Film – Tie: Despicable Me 2 & Frozen

Best Foreign Film: Blue Is the Warmest Color (France)

Best Documentary: The Act of Killing

Vince Koehler Award for Best Science Fiction, Fantasy or Horror Film: Her

18th Annual San Diego Film Critics Society Awards

The San Diego Film Critics Society (SDFCS) announced their awards on December 11th, 2013 with giving away the Best Film award to Her, written, directed and co-produced by Spike Jonze, whereas the Best Director award went to Alfonso Cuarón for Gravity. There are 2 most surprising wins, i.e. Oscar Isaac winning the Best Actor award and Drug War winning the Best Foreign Language Film award. I wouldn't call either of them unfair because every actor and filmmaker works hard and also I'd say it's very bold of SDFCS to choose different winners.

Last year, 6 SDFCS winners won the Oscars (you can view the previous year's winners here: 17th Annual San Diego Film Critics Society Awards). Let's see how many win this time!

Here is the complete list of winners along with the nominations:

BEST FILM:

• 12 YEARS A SLAVE


• GRAVITY


• WINNER: HER


• INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS


• SHORT TERM 12

BEST DIRECTOR:

• WINNER: Alfonso Cuarón (GRAVITY)


• Destin Cretton (SHORT TERM 12)


• Joel and Ethan Coen (INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS)


• Spike Jonze (HER)


• Steve McQueen (12 YEARS A SLAVE)

BEST ACTRESS:

• Adèle Exarchopoulos (BLUE IS THE WARMEST COLOR)


• Brie Larson (SHORT TERM 12)


• WINNER: Cate Blanchett (BLUE JASMINE)


• Emma Thompson (SAVING MR. BANKS)


• Sandra Bullock (GRAVITY)

BEST ACTOR:

• Chiwetel Ejiofor (12 YEARS A SLAVE)


• Joaquin Phoenix (HER)


• Matthew McConaughey (DALLAS BUYERS CLUB)


• WINNER: Oscar Isaac (INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS)


• Tom Hanks (CAPTAIN PHILLIPS)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS:

• Elizabeth Banks (THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE)


• Jennifer Lawrence (AMERICAN HUSTLE)


• Lupita Nyong'o (12 YEARS A SLAVE)


• Sally Hawkins (BLUE JASMINE)


• WINNER: Shailene Woodley (THE SPECTACULAR NOW)

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR:

• Daniel Bruhl (RUSH)


• James Gandolfini (ENOUGH SAID)


• WINNER: Jared Leto (DALLAS BUYERS CLUB)


• Michael Fassbender (12 YEARS A SLAVE)


• Sam Rockwell (THE WAY, WAY BACK)

BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY:

• Aaron Guzikowski (PRISONERS)


• Joel and Ethan Coen (INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS)


• Nicole Holofcener (ENOUGH SAID)


• WINNER: Spike Jonze (HER)


• Woody Allen (BLUE JASMINE)

BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY:

• Billy Ray (CAPTAIN PHILLIPS)


• Destin Cretton (SHORT TERM 12)


• John Ridley (12 YEARS A SLAVE)


• WINNER: Richard Linklater, Julie Delpy, Ethan Hawke (BEFORE MIDNIGHT)


• Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber (THE SPECTACULAR NOW)

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM:

• BLUE IS THE WARMEST COLOR


• WINNER: DRUG WAR


• NO


• THE BROKEN CIRCLE BREAKDOWN


• THE HUNT

BEST DOCUMENTARY:

• 20 FEET FROM STARDOM


• BLACKFISH


• LET THE FIRE BURN


• STORIES WE TELL


• WINNER: THE ACT OF KILLING

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY:

• Bruno Delbonnel (INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS)


• Emmanuel Lubezki (GRAVITY)


• WINNER: Emmanuel Lubezki (TO THE WONDER)


• Roger Deakins (PRISONERS)


• Simon Duggan (THE GREAT GATSBY)

BEST ANIMATED FILM:

• DESPICABLE ME 2


• FROZEN


• GET A HORSE


• THE CROODS


• WINNER: THE WIND RISES

BEST EDITING:

• Alan Edward Ball (THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE)


• Alfonso Cuarón and Mark Sanger (GRAVITY)


• WINNER: Christopher Rouse (CAPTAIN PHILLIPS)


• Eric Zumbrunnen, Jeff Buchanan (HER)


• Joe Walker (12 YEARS A SLAVE)

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN:

• Adam Stockhausen (12 YEARS A SLAVE)


• Andy Nicholson (GRAVITY)


• WINNER: Catherine Martin and Karen Murphy (THE GREAT GATSBY)


• K.K. Barrett (HER)


• Michael Corenblith (SAVING MR. BANKS)

BEST SCORE:

• WINNER: Arcade Fire, HER


• Bjorn Eriksson (BROKEN CIRCLE BREAKDOWN)


• Hans Zimmer (12 YEARS A SLAVE)


• Hans Zimmer (RUSH)


• Steven Price (GRAVITY)

BEST ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE:

• 12 YEARS A SLAVE


• WINNER: AMERICAN HUSTLE


• PRISONERS


• SHORT TERM 12


• THE WAY, WAY BACK