Last Wednesday, December 11th, the Chicago Film Critics Association kicked off the film awards season with its annual Awards Dinner at Budweiser Brickhouse Tavern on Gallagher Way, right next to Wrigley Field (yeah, where the Yum Yum Donuts used to be).
I have been a member of the CFCA, on and off, since the organization began in 1989. I've presented awards, made phone calls, tallied votes, set up chairs, and even driven celebrity presenters and winners to and from the airport (in 1991, Jeremy Irons said, "My God, you drive like a madman").
About the CFCA
Film critic Sue Kiner founded the Chicago Film Critics Association in 1990 after successfully launching the Chicago Film Critics Awards the previous year. The CFCA oversees several engaging and important events for the Chicago film community.
Chicago Film Critics Awards: this newsworthy and prestigious event annually honors outstanding film works, performances, and individuals.
Chicago Critics Film Festival: Founded in 2013, this is the only film festival entirely programmed by a critics' group. www.chicagocriticsfilmfestival.com
Critic Roundtables: These informal gatherings of critics are held at colleges and universities to engage the public in critical discussion.
Industry & Rights Issues: The association takes a stand on important issues affecting the industry and/or artists' rights, issuing an official statement from its 60+ members.
CFCA Awards 2024
Film Critic Erik Childress served as Emcee and did a great job, once again proving to be a funny, sharp, and congenial host.
Each award was uniquely presented by a critic, member of the association, or special guest.
I presented the award for Best Costume Design because, you know, I'm known for my fashion sense and love of fabulous costumes. This particular award (to "Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga") would be one of the very few I would be happy about.
Award Winners
Brady Corbet's "The Brutalist" claimed the organization's top honor as Best Picture of the Year while "Nickel Boys," RaMell Ross's adaptation of Colson Whitehead's best-selling novel, earned the most honors with four wins.
And I disagreed with ALL of that. Here are the nineteen awards:
BEST PICTURE: "The Brutalist"
BEST DIRECTOR: RaMell Ross, "Nickel Boys"
BEST ACTOR: Adrien Brody, "The Brutalist"
BEST ACTRESS: Marianne Jean-Baptiste, "Hard Truths"
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Kieran Culkin, "A Real Pain"
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Natasha Lyonne, "His Three Daughters"
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: "A Real Pain" by Jesse Eisenberg
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: "Nickel Boys" by RaMell Ross & Joslyn Barnes
BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM: "All We Imagine as Light"
BEST DOCUMENTARY: "No Other Land"
BEST ANIMATED FEATURE: "Flow"
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY: "Nickel Boys," Jomo Fray
BEST EDITING: "Challengers," Marco Costa
BEST ART DIRECTION/PRODUCTION DESIGN: "Nosferatu"
BEST COSTUME DESIGN: "Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga," Jenny Beavan
BEST ORIGINAL SCORE: "Challengers," Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross
BEST USE OF VISUAL EFFECTS: "The Substance"
MOST PROMISING PERFORMER: Clarence Maclin, "Sing Sing"
MILOS STEHLIK BREAKTHROUGH FILMMAKER AWARD: RaMell Ross, "Nickel Boys"
So yeah, I was not a fan of most of the nominees this year, and my choices for Best Picture didn't even make the cut as nominees.
But hey, that happens when you're part of a critics organization. The majority rules; sometimes, that majority doesn't agree with your picks.
This year was especially tough, though, which led my brilliant colleague, Peter Sobczynski, to sum it up best:
2024 Awards Season Continues...
Annual awards season wraps up in early March with the 97th Annual Academy Awards.
We'll see how other cities, critics groups, and organizations choose the finest movies, performances, and technical cinematic work of 2024.
Stay tuned here, and for exclusive content, join me on Patreon. We have some fun plans underway!
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