The National Board of Review of Motion Pictures has just announced the winners of their 2009 awards. About half the categories are short lists, or feature multiple winners. Those of special interest to our readers include:
Top Ten Films (listed in alphabetical order):
An Education
(500) Days of Summer
The Hurt Locker
Inglourious Basterds
Invictus
The Messenger
A Serious Man
Star Trek
Up
Where the Wild Things Are
Top Independent Films (listed in alphabetical order):
Amreeka
District 9
Goodbye Solo
Humpday
In the Loop
Julia
Me and Orson Welles
Moon
Sugar
Two Lovers
Spotlight Award for Best Directorial Debut:
Duncan Jones for Moon
Oren Moverman for The Messenger
Marc Webb for (500) Days of Summer
Best Animated Feature: Up
Special Filmmaking Achievement: Wes Anderson for The Fantastic Mr. Fox
The full list of winners (and categories) is on this page.
The century-old National Board of Review dedicates “its efforts to the support of film, domestic and foreign, as both art and entertainment. Our nonprofit organization celebrates the distinctive voice of the individual artist, honoring excellence and supporting freedom of expression in film. The Board’s core activities include fostering commentary on all aspects of film production, as well as underwriting educational film programs and seminars for film students.
“Over three hundred films (studio, independent, foreign-language, animated, and documentary) are viewed throughout the year by a selective group of knowledgeable film enthusiasts, academics, film professionals, and students. Frequently, in-depth discussions with filmmakers, directors, actors, producers, or screenwriters follow screenings. At year’s end, members receive a list of all films screened, along with final ballots, which are tabulated by a certified public accounting firm in order to determine annual honorees.”