Chloé Zhao’s character study “Nomadland” has been named the year’s Best Picture by the Houston Film Critics Society.
In the Society’s 14th annual awards, Zhao was also named Best Director for this meaningful look at a woman’s journey through isolation and survival, while Joshua James Richards was honored for the film’s cinematography.
Riz Ahmed was named Best Actor for his riveting portrayal of a heavy metal musician battling hearing loss in “Sound of Metal”, while Carey Mulligan received Best Actress honors for her remarkable study of revenge in “Promising Young Woman”. Capturing supporting performance awards were Maria Bakalova for the irreverent comedy “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm” and Leslie Odom Jr. as soul singer Sam Cooke in “One Night in Miami”. Odom was also recognized for Best Song with “Speak Now”, a work he wrote for the film with Sam Ashworth.
“While 2020 may have seen changes in how we view movies, the year should be remembered for the quality of those films that ultimately reached audiences,” observed Society president Doug Harris. “It may have been a bit tougher to see some of these remarkable films, but the wait and the effort were worth it. And that’s the message our Society members take to their listeners, viewers and readers.”
In a year of exceptional achievements by women in film, Emerald Finnell received the Best Screenplay award for “Promising Young Woman”, a film she also directed and produced. “Tenet” received awards for technical achievements (Visual Effects and Stunt Coordination) while “Soul” won as the year’s best animated film and for its music score. The Society honored Taiwan’s “A Sun” as Best Foreign Language Film and “My Octopus Teacher” as Best Documentary.
“We look forward to further spotlighting all of our award winners,” says Harris, “during our first television broadcast on January 31, 4:00 p.m. CST, on Houston’s KUBE-TV. That programming will also celebrate our Texas Independent Film Award nominees and feature the announcement of the winners of our special honors for filmmaking in the state.”
2020 Houston Film Critics Society Awards
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Best Picture
“Nomadland”
Best Director
Chloé Zhao, “Nomadland”
Best Actor in a Leading Role
Riz Ahmed, “Sound of Metal”
Best Actress in a Leading Role
Carey Mulligan, “Promising Young Woman”
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Leslie Odom Jr., “One Night in Miami”
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Maria Bakalova, “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm”
Best Original Screenplay
“Promising Young Woman”
Best Animated Feature
“Soul”
Best Cinematography
“Nomadland”
Best Documentary Feature
“My Octopus Teacher”
Best Foreign Language Feature
“A Sun” (Taiwan)
Best Original Score
“Soul”
Best Original Song
“Speak Now” from “One Night in Miami”
Best Visual Effects
“Tenet”
Best Stunt Coordination Team
“Tenet”
Best Movie Poster Art
“Da 5 Bloods”
Outstanding Cinematic Achievement
“Sound of Metal” (for its Immersive Sound Design)
Texas Independent Film Awards — Best Film
Yellow Rose
Texas Independent Film Awards — Visionary Award
The Vast of Night
About the Houston Film Critics Society
The forty 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.
