Disney/Pixar’s WALL’E was voted Best Picture of the Year by the Los Angeles Film Critics Association (LAFCA). Warner Bros.’ The Dark Knight was named runner-up for Best Picture, while Best Animated Feature went to Ari Folman’s Waltz with Bashir, which also got runner-up in the Documentary category. LAFCA’s 34th annual achievement awards ceremony will be held Monday, Jan. 12 at the InterContinental Los Angeles.
Founded in 1975, LAFCA is comprised of professional film critics working in the Los Angeles print and electronic media. Each December, members vote on the year’s Achievement Awards, honoring screen excellence on both sides of the camera. The group’s Career Achievement Award, announced in October, this year goes to producer John Calley, whose credits include The Da Vinci Code and its upcoming sequel, Angels and Demons, as well as Remains of the Day, Postcards from the Edge and Catch 22, among others.
2008 LAFCA Winners:
DIRECTOR
Danny Boyle, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
Runner-up: Christopher Nolan, THE DARK KNIGHT
ACTRESS
Sally Hawkins, HAPPY-GO-LUCKY
Runner-up: Melissa Leo, FROZEN RIVER
ACTOR
Sean Penn, MILK
Runner-up: Mickey Rourke, THE WRESTLER
SCREENPLAY
Mike Leigh, HAPPY-GO-LUCKY
Runner-up: Charlie Kaufman, SYNECDOCHE, NEW YORK
SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Penelope Cruz, VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA and ELEGY
Runner-up: Viola Davis, DOUBT
SUPPORTING ACTOR
Heath Ledger, THE DARK KNIGHT
Runner-up: Eddie Marsan, HAPPY-GO-LUCKY
FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
STILL LIFE directed by Jia Zhangke
Runner-up: THE CLASS directed by Laurent Cantet
DOCUMENTARY/NON-FICTION FILM
MAN ON WIRE directed by James Marsh
Runner-up: WALTZ WITH BASHIR directed by Ari Folman
PRODUCTION DESIGN
Mark Friedberg, SYNECDOCHE, NEW YORK
Runner-up: Nathan Crowley, THE DARK KNIGHT
ANIMATION
WALTZ WITH BASHIR
MUSIC/SCORE
A.R. Rahman, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
Runner-up: Alexandre Desplat, THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON
CINEMATOGRAPHY
Yu Lik-wai, STILL LIFE
Runner-up: Anthony Dod Mantle, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE
NEW GENERATION
Steve McQueen, HUNGER
CAREER ACHIEVEMENT
John Calley (previously announced)
DOUGLAS E. EDWARDS INDEPENDENT/EXPERIMENTAL FILM/VIDEO
James Benning, RR and CASTING A GLANCE
