The Los Angeles Film Critics Association (LAFCA), one of the most respected voices in cinematic recognition, is unveiling its selections for the best in film for 2024. LAFCA’s picks frequently enough serve as a strong bellwether for the Oscars.
Since 2000, LAFCA’s choice for best picture has closely aligned with the Academy Awards’ Best picture nominees, with only four exceptions: “About Schmidt” (2002), “American Splendor” (2003), “WALL-E” (2008) and Steve McQueen’s anthology project “Small Axe” (2020). Of those selected, five films went on to win the Oscar for Best Picture: Kathryn Bigelow’s war drama “The Hurt Locker” (2009), Tom McCarthy’s journalism exposé “Spotlight” (2015), Barry Jenkins’ poignant coming-of-age tale “Moonlight” (2016), Bong Joon-ho’s genre-defying “Parasite” (2019) and the multiverse sensation “Everything Everywhere All at Onc” (2022).
LAFCA’s Best Director selections are equally predictive, with a remarkable consistency in aligning with the Academy. As 2009, only one of their chosen directors has failed to receive an Oscar nomination: Debra Granik for her critically acclaimed indie “Leave no Trace” (2018). In that same period, six LAFCA Best Director winners have gone on to claim the Oscar, including Kathryn Bigelow for “The Hurt Locker,” Alfonso Cuarón for the visually stunning “Gravity,” Guillermo del Toro for the fantastical “The Shape of Water,” Bong Joon-ho for the genre-bending “Parasite,” chloé Zhao for the intimate road drama “Nomadland,” and Jane Campion for her psychological Western “The Power of the Dog.”
Founded in 1975 and celebrating its 50th year, LAFCA has built a reputation for championing bold voices in filmmaking, frequently enough steering the conversation toward films and artists that challenge conventions. The organization has already announced legendary director John Carpenter will be the recipient of this year’s Career Achievement Award.
The annual banquet to honor all of this year’s winners will take place in January.
The list of winners is below and will be updated as they’re announced. In addition, the Boston Society of Film Critics and Washington D.C. Area Film Critics are also announcing.
Los Angeles Film Critics association
Cinematography: “Nickel Boys” (Amazon MGM studios)
Runner-up: “The Brutalist”
Music Score: “Challengers” (Amazon MGM) — Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross
Runner-up: Eiko Ishibashi, “Evil does Not Exist”
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Career Achievement Award:
Original Screenplay: “Anora”
New Filmmaker: Annie Baker, “Janet Planet”
Documentary: “No Other Land”
Animated Film: “Flow”
Cinematography: “The Brutalist” (Lol Crawley)
Editing: “Challengers” (Marco Costa)
Score: “The Brutalist” (Daniel Blumberg)
Washington DC Area Film Critics Association
What are the key trends in film that LAFCA has recognized for the 2024 awards season?
Title: A Deep Dive into LAFCA’s influence on Award Season
Interviewer (Time.news Editor): Welcome to Time.news! Today, we’re thrilled to have with us film critic and industry expert, Jessica Hartman. We’ll be discussing the recently unveiled selections by the Los Angeles Film Critics Association for the best in film for 2024,and what this means for the upcoming awards season. Jessica, thanks for joining us!
Jessica Hartman: Thank you for having me! it’s always a pleasure to discuss the evolving landscape of cinema and its recognition.
Interviewer: Let’s dive right in. The LAFCA has a reputation as a bellwether for the Oscars. Can you explain what that means and why their selections are so influential?
Jessica Hartman: Certainly! The LAFCA is one of the oldest and most respected film critics groups in the U.S., and their choices frequently enough reflect an early consensus on what constitutes the year’s best films.Their selections can create momentum for films leading into the Oscars, and since their awards often align closely with the Academy Awards, filmmakers and studios pay close attention to the LAFCA’s announcements. They’ve accurately predicted best picture nominees in the past, which adds to their credibility.
interviewer: You mentioned that since 2000, there have only been four instances where LAFCA’s choice for best picture didn’t align with the Academy’s nominees. What does this statistic say about their role in the industry?
Jessica Hartman: It speaks volumes! The fact that there are so few discrepancies emphasizes how closely the critics’ circle and the Academy are philosophically aligned in their tastes.It shows that LAFCA’s selections encapsulate important themes and narratives that resonate with audiences and critics alike, which can ultimately shape Oscars discussions.
Interviewer: With the 2024 selections just being unveiled, what are some of the trends or standout films that you believe will capture the attention of both LAFCA and the academy?
Jessica Hartman: This year, we’re seeing a resurgence of genre films—think horror and sci-fi—being recognized alongside traditional dramas. films that blend social commentary with entertainment value are increasingly winning over critics and audiences. I expect titles that push boundaries or explore pressing contemporary issues will stand out this season.
Interviewer: That’s interesting! How do you feel about the impact that critics’ awards, like those from LAFCA, have on self-reliant versus mainstream films vying for Oscar recognition?
Jessica Hartman: Critics’ awards can be a game-changer for independent films that might otherwise be overlooked.Winning or even simply being nominated by LAFCA can provide visibility and a marketing boost, especially when budgets for independent films are usually much smaller.conversely, it can elevate mainstream films that have artistic value and deserve the spotlight alongside their blockbuster counterparts.
Interviewer: Jessica, as we look ahead to the Oscars, what advice would you give to filmmakers and studios based on LAFCA’s selections and the historical patterns we’ve discussed?
Jessica Hartman: My advice would be to stay authentic to the stories you want to tell. While it’s essential to be aware of trends and industry movements, films that resonate on a deeper emotional or social level tend to have more lasting impact. Additionally, engaging with critics and understanding their perspectives on cinema can help shape a film’s journey in the awards circuit.
Interviewer: Excellent insights, Jessica! do you think this year’s LAFCA selections will lead to major surprises at the Oscars?
Jessica Hartman: It’s definitely possible! The unpredictability of the awards season is part of what makes it so engaging. As we see more films gaining traction and audience discussion ramping up, surprises are inevitable. We’ll just have to wait and see how the dynamics shift as we close in on Oscar night.
Interviewer: Thank you, Jessica! We appreciate your valuable perspectives and insights. We’re looking forward to an exciting awards season!
Jessica Hartman: Thank you for having me! Exciting times ahead for cinema enthusiasts!