For Immediate Release
Year’s best honored by movie journalists
HOUSTON, TEXAS (January 14, 2025) — Anora – Sean Baker’s outrageous stripper Cinderella story turned on its head – captured top honors from the Houston Film Critics Society in its 18th Annual Awards.
In addition to being named the Best Picture of 2024, the Society selected lead actress Mikey Madison as the year’s best as well as Baker’s screenplay.
“Small, intimate, character-driven stories seemed to be the soup du jour favored by many of our members this year,” says Travis Leamons, President of the organization. “2024 may not have been a great cinema year overall, but if you string together the films favored most by the Houston critics you’ll see a year defined by obstacles in one’s pursuit of happiness, virtue, and prosperity. All of which mirror this particular moment in time.”
The Society named Ralph Fiennes as Best Actor for navigating the complexities of papal politics in Conclave, a film also winning the award for Best Ensemble Cast. Honored as the year’s Best Supporting Actor was Kieran Culkin as a man searching for resolution in A Real Pain and, as Best Supporting Actress, Zoë Saldaña as a lawyer confronting an unusual case in Emilia Pérez. Winning the Texas Independent Film Award – for the best film made in Texas – was Runaway Radio about the magic created by Houston’s 101 KLOL (101.1 FM).
“Each year, the Society votes on the winners after thoroughly reviewing the year’s films,” continues Leamons. “I like to think our selections as validation of what our organization has known for quite some time for experienced pros like Ralph Fiennes and Sean Baker. And the future is now for relatively young talents like Mikey Madison and Brady Corbet. Again, I couldn’t be more pleased with the range and substance of this year’s winners.”
The 38 members of the Houston Film Critics Society are working film journalists on television, radio, online and in traditional print. Together, they reach millions of people each week across the United States with their critiques and commentaries on film. The organization’s mission is to promote the advancement and appreciation of film in the Houston community and beyond. For a list of members, visit www.HoustonFilmCritics.com.
2024 Houston Film Critics Society Winners
Best Picture: Anora
Best Director: Brady Corbet, The Brutalist
Best Actor – Leading Role: Ralph Fiennes, Conclave
Best Actress – Leading Role: Mikey Madison, Anora
Best Actor – Supporting Role: Kieran Culkin, A Real Pain
Best Actress – Supporting Role: Zoë Saldaña, Emilia Pérez
Best Screenplay: Sean Baker, Anora
Best Animated Feature: The Wild Robot
Best Cinematography: Lol Crawley, The Brutalist
Best Documentary Feature: Will & Harper
Best Foreign Language Feature: Emilia Pérez
Best Original Score: Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, Challengers
Best Original Song: “Kiss the Sky,” The Wild Robot
Best Visual Effects: Dune: Part Two
Best Stunt Coordination Team: The Fall Guy
Best Ensemble Cast: Conclave
Texas Independent Film Award: Runaway Radio
MEDIA CONTACT:
Travis Leamons, President
Houston Film Critics Society
thedvdlounge@yahoo.com
