1ST ANNUAL NEW JERSEY FILM CRITICS CIRCLE AWARDS
Wednesday, December 31, 2025

— 1st Annual New Jersey Film Critics Circle Awards —

Best Picture

HAMNET • Focus Features

Chloé Zhao | Director
Liza Marshall, Pippa Harris, Nicolas Gonda, Sam Mendes, Steven Spielberg | Producers

IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT • NEON

Jafar Panahi | Director/Producer

MARTY SUPREME • A24

Josh Safdie | Director
Josh Safdie, Ronald Bronstein, Eli Bush, Anthony Katagas, Timothée Chalamet | Producers

NO OTHER CHOICE • NEON

Park Chan-wook | Director
Park Chan-wook, Jisun Back, Michèle Ray-Gavras, Alexandre Gavras | Producers

ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER • Warner Bros. Pictures

Paul Thomas Anderson | Director
Paul Thomas Anderson, Adam Somner, Sara Murphy | Producers

THE SECRET AGENT • NEON

Kleber Mendonça Filho | Director
Emilie Lesclaux, Kleber Mendonça Filho, Wagner Moura, Brent Travers | Producers

SENTIMENTAL VALUE • NEON

Joachim Trier | Director
Andrea Berentsen Ottmar, Maria Ekerhovd | Producers

SINNERS • Warner Bros. Pictures

Ryan Coogler | Director
Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian, Ryan Coogler | Producers

TRAIN DREAMS • Netflix

Clint Bentley | Director
Marissa McMahon, Teddy Schwarzman, Will Janowitz, Ashley Schlaifer, Michael Heimler | Producers

WEAPONS • Warner Bros Pictures / New Line Cinema

Zach Cregger | Director
Zach Cregger, Roy Lee, Miri Yoon, J. D. Lifshitz, Raphael Margules | Producers

— 1st Annual New Jersey Film Critics Circle Awards —

Best Director

PAUL THOMAS ANDERSON
ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER • Warner Bros. Pictures

Paul Thomas Anderson, Adam Somner, Sara Murphy | Producers

RYAN COOGLER
SINNERS • Warner Bros. Pictures

Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian, Ryan Coogler | Producers

PARK CHAN-WOOK
NO OTHER CHOICE • NEON

Park Chan-wook, Jisun Back, Michèle Ray-Gavras, Alexandre Gavras | Producers

JOACHIM TRIER
SENTIMENTAL VALUE • NEON

Andrea Berentsen Ottmar, Maria Ekerhovd | Producers

CHLOÉ ZHAO
HAMNET • Focus Features

Liza Marshall, Pippa Harris, Nicolas Gonda, Sam Mendes, Steven Spielberg | Producers

— 1st Annual New Jersey Film Critics Circle Awards —

Best Actor

TIMOTHÉE CHALAMET
MARTY SUPREME • A24

Josh Safdie | Director
Josh Safdie, Ronald Bronstein, Eli Bush, Anthony Katagas, Timothée Chalamet | Producers

LEONARDO DICAPRIO
ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER • Warner Bros. Pictures

Paul Thomas Anderson | Director
Paul Thomas Anderson, Adam Somner, Sara Murphy | Producers

JOEL EDGERTON
TRAIN DREAMS • Netflix

Clint Bentley | Director
Marissa McMahon, Teddy Schwarzman, Will Janowitz, Ashley Schlaifer, Michael Heimler | Producers

ETHAN HAWKE
BLUE MOON • Sony Pictures Classics

Richard Linklater | Director
Mike Blizzard, John Sloss, Richard Linklater | Producers

MICHAEL B. JORDAN
SINNERS • Warner Bros. Pictures

Ryan Coogler | Director
Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian, Ryan Coogler | Producers

— 1st Annual New Jersey Film Critics Circle Awards —

Best Actress

JESSIE BUCKLEY
HAMNET • Focus Features

Chloé Zhao | Director
Liza Marshall, Pippa Harris, Nicolas Gonda, Sam Mendes, Steven Spielberg | Producers

ROSE BYRNE
IF I HAD LEGS I’D KICK YOU • A24

Mary Bronstein | Director
Sara Murphy, Ryan Zacarias, Ronald Bronstein, Josh Safdie, Eli Bush, Conor Hannon, Richie Doyle | Producers

CHASE INFINITI
ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER • Warner Bros. Pictures

Paul Thomas Anderson | Director
Paul Thomas Anderson, Adam Somner, Sara Murphy | Producers

RENATE REINSVE
SENTIMENTAL VALUE • NEON

Joachim Trier | Director
Andrea Berentsen Ottmar, Maria Ekerhovd | Producers

EMMA STONE
BUGONIA • Focus Features

Yorgos Lanthimos | Director
Ed Guiney, Andrew Lowe, Yorgos Lanthimos, Emma Stone, Ari Aster. Lars Knudsen, Miky Lee | Producers

— 1st Annual New Jersey Film Critics Circle Awards —

Best Supporting Actor

BENICIO DEL TORO
ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER • Warner Bros. Pictures

Paul Thomas Anderson | Director
Paul Thomas Anderson, Adam Somner, Sara Murphy | Producers

JACOB ELORDI
FRANKENSTEIN • Netflix

Guillermo del Toro | Director
Guillermo del Toro, J. Miles Dale, Scott Stuber | Producers

DELROY LINDO
SINNERS • Warner Bros. Pictures

Ryan Coogler | Director
Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian, Ryan Coogler | Producers

SEAN PENN
ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER • Warner Bros. Pictures

Paul Thomas Anderson | Director
Paul Thomas Anderson, Adam Somner, Sara Murphy | Producers

STELLAN SKARSGÅRD
SENTIMENTAL VALUE • NEON

Joachim Trier | Director
Andrea Berentsen Ottmar, Maria Ekerhovd | Producers

— 1st Annual New Jersey Film Critics Circle Awards —

Best Supporting Actress

ELLE FANNING
SENTIMENTAL VALUE • NEON

Joachim Trier | Director
Andrea Berentsen Ottmar, Maria Ekerhovd | Producers

Ariana Grande-Butera
WICKED: FOR GOOD • Universal Pictures

Jon M. Chu | Director
Marc Platt, David Stone | Producers

INGA IBSDOTTER LILLEAAS
SENTIMENTAL VALUE • NEON

Joachim Trier | Director
Andrea Berentsen Ottmar, Maria Ekerhovd | Producers

AMY MADIGAN
WEAPONS • Warner Bros. Pictures / New Line Cinema

Zach Cregger | Director
Zach Cregger, Roy Lee, Miri Yoon, J. D. Lifshitz, Raphael Margules | Producers

TEYANA TAYLOR
ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER • Warner Bros. Pictures

Paul Thomas Anderson | Director
Paul Thomas Anderson, Adam Somner, Sara Murphy | Producers

— 1st Annual New Jersey Film Critics Circle Awards —

Best Acting Ensemble

MARTY SUPREME • A24

Josh Safdie | Director
Josh Safdie, Ronald Bronstein, Eli Bush, Anthony Katagas, Timothée Chalamet | Producers

ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER • Warner Bros. Pictures

Paul Thomas Anderson | Director
Paul Thomas Anderson, Adam Somner, Sara Murphy | Producers

SENTIMENTAL VALUE • NEON

Joachim Trier | Director
Andrea Berentsen Ottmar, Maria Ekerhovd | Producers

SINNERS • Warner Bros. Pictures

Ryan Coogler | Director
Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian, Ryan Coogler | Producers

WEAPONS • Warner Bros Pictures / New Line Cinema

Zach Cregger | Director
Zach Cregger, Roy Lee, Miri Yoon, J. D. Lifshitz, Raphael Margules | Producers

— 1st Annual New Jersey Film Critics Circle Awards —

Best Original Screenplay

IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT • NEON
Jafar Panahi | Writer

Jafar Panahi | Director/Producer

MARTY SUPREME • A24
Ronald Bronstein, Josh Safdie | Writers

Josh Safdie | Director
Josh Safdie, Ronald Bronstein, Eli Bush, Anthony Katagas, Timothée Chalamet | Producers

SENTIMENTAL VALUE • NEON
Eskil Vogt, Joachim Trier | Writers

Joachim Trier | Director
Andrea Berentsen Ottmar, Maria Ekerhovd | Producers

SINNERS • Warner Bros. Pictures
Ryan Coogler | Writer

Ryan Coogler | Director
Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian, Ryan Coogler | Producers

WEAPONS • Warner Bros. Pictures | New Line Cinema
Zach Cregger | Writer

Zach Cregger | Director
Zach Cregger, Roy Lee, Miri Yoon, J. D. Lifshitz, Raphael Margules | Producers

— 1st Annual New Jersey Film Critics Circle Awards —

Best Adapted Screenplay

BUGONIA • Focus Features
Based on “Save the Green Planet!” by Jang Joon-hwan
Will Tracy | Writer

Yorgos Lanthimos | Director
Ed Guiney, Andrew Lowe, Yorgos Lanthimos, Emma Stone, Ari Aster. Lars Knudsen, Miky Lee | Producers

HAMNET • Focus Features
Based on “Hamnet” by Maggie O’Farrell
Chloé Zhao, Maggie O’Farrell | Writers

Chloé Zhao | Director
Liza Marshall, Pippa Harris, Nicolas Gonda, Sam Mendes, Steven Spielberg | Producers

NO OTHER CHOICE • NEON
Based on “The Ax” by Donald Westlake
Park Chan-wook, Don McKellar, Lee Kyoung-mi, Lee Ja-hye | Writers

Park Chan-wook | Director
Park Chan-wook , Jisun Back , Michèle Ray-Gavras , Alexandre Gavras | Producers

ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER • Warner Bros. Pictures
Based on “Vineland” by Thomas Pynchon
Paul Thomas Anderson | Writer

Paul Thomas Anderson | Director
Paul Thomas Anderson, Adam Somner, Sara Murphy | Producers

TRAIN DREAMS • Netflix
Based on “Train Dreams” by Denis Johnson
Clint Bentley, Greg Kwedar | Writers

Clint Bentley | Director
Marissa McMahon, Teddy Schwarzman, Will Janowitz, Ashley Schlaifer, Michael Heimler | Producers

— 1st Annual New Jersey Film Critics Circle Awards —

Best Original Score

F1: THE MOVIE • Warner Bros. Pictures | Apple Original Films
Hans Zimmer | Composer

Joseph Kosinski | Director
Jerry Bruckheimer, Joseph Kosinski, Lewis Hamilton, Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Chad Oman | Producers

HAMNET • Focus Features
Max Richter | Composer

Chloé Zhao | Director
Liza Marshall, Pippa Harris, Nicolas Gonda, Sam Mendes, Steven Spielberg | Producers

MARTY SUPREME • A24
Daniel Lopatin | Composer

Josh Safdie | Director
Josh Safdie, Ronald Bronstein, Eli Bush, Anthony Katagas, Timothée Chalamet | Producers

ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER • Warner Bros. Pictures
Jonny Greenwood | Composer

Paul Thomas Anderson | Director
Paul Thomas Anderson, Adam Somner, Sara Murphy | Producers

SINNERS • Warner Bros. Pictures
Ludwig Göransson | Composer

Ryan Coogler | Director
Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian, Ryan Coogler | Producers

— 1st Annual New Jersey Film Critics Circle Awards —

Best Original Song

“DRIVE” from
F1: THE MOVIE • Warner Bros. Pictures / Apple Original Films
Ed Sheeran, John Mayer, Blake Slatkin | Music and Lyrics

Joseph Kosinski | Director
Jerry Bruckheimer, Joseph Kosinski, Lewis Hamilton, Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Chad Oman | Producers

“GOLDEN” from
KPOP DEMON HUNTERS • Netflix
Ejae, Mark Sonnenblick, IDO, 24 and Teddy| Music and Lyrics

Chris Appelhans, Maggie Kang | Directors
Michelle L.M. Wong | Producers

“I LIED TO YOU” from
SINNERS • Warner Bros Pictures
Raphael Saadiq and Ludwig Göransson | Music and Lyrics

Ryan Coogler | Director
Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian, Ryan Coogler | Producers

“LAST TIME (I SEEN THE SUN)” from
SINNERS • Warner Bros. Pictures
Alice Smith, Miles Caton, Ludwig Göransson | Music and Lyrics

Ryan Coogler | Director
Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian, Ryan Coogler | Producers

“TRAIN DREAMS” from
TRAIN DREAMS • Netflix
Nick Cave and Bryce Dessner | Music and Lyrics

Clint Bentley| Director
Marissa McMahon, Teddy Schwarzman, Will Janowitz, Ashley Schlaifer, Michael Heimler | Producers

— 1st Annual New Jersey Film Critics Circle Awards —

Best EDITING

F1: THE MOVIE • Warner Bros. Pictures / Apple Original Films
Stephen Mirrione, Patrick J. Smith | Editors

Joseph Kosinski | Director
Jerry Bruckheimer, Joseph Kosinski, Lewis Hamilton, Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Chad Oman | Producers

MARTY SUPREME • A24
Josh Safdie, Ronald Bronstein | Editors

Josh Safdie | Director
Josh Safdie, Ronald Bronstein, Eli Bush, Anthony Katagas, Timothée Chalamet | Producers

NO OTHER CHOICE • NEON
Kim Sang-Beom and Kim Ho-Bin | Editors

Park Chan-wook | Director
Park Chan-wook , Jisun Back , Michèle Ray-Gavras , Alexandre Gavras | Producers

ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER • Warner Bros. Pictures
Andy Jurgensen | Editor

Paul Thomas Anderson | Director
Paul Thomas Anderson, Adam Somner, Sara Murphy | Producers

SINNERS • Warner Bros. Pictures
Michael P. Shawver | Editor

Ryan Coogler | Director
Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian, Ryan Coogler | Producers

— 1st Annual New Jersey Film Critics Circle Awards —

Best Production Design

FRANKENSTEIN • Netflix
Tamara Deverell | Production Designer

Guillermo del Toro | Director
Guillermo del Toro, J. Miles Dale, Scott Stuber | Producers

MARTY SUPREME • A24
Jack Fisk, Adam Willis | Production Designers

Josh Safdie | Director
Josh Safdie, Ronald Bronstein, Eli Bush, Anthony Katagas, Timothée Chalamet | Producers

ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER • Warner Bros. Pictures
Florencia Martin | Production Designer

Paul Thomas Anderson | Director
Paul Thomas Anderson, Adam Somner, Sara Murphy | Producers

SINNERS • Warner Bros. Pictures
Hannah Bleacher & Monique Champagne | Production Designers

Ryan Coogler | Director
Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian, Ryan Coogler | Producers

WICKED: FOR GOOD • Universal Pictures
Nathan Crowley & Lee Sandales | Production Designers

Jon M. Chu | Director
Marc Platt, David Stone | Producers

— 1st Annual New Jersey Film Critics Circle Awards —

Best Costume Design

FRANKENSTEIN • Netflix
Kate Hawley | Costume Designer

Guillermo del Toro | Director
Guillermo del Toro, J. Miles Dale, Scott Stuber | Producers

HAMNET • Focus Features
Malgosia Turzanska | Costume Designer

Chloé Zhao | Director
Liza Marshall, Pippa Harris, Nicolas Gonda, Sam Mendes, Steven Spielberg | Producers

HEDDA • Amazon MGM Studios / Orion Pictures
Lindsay Pugh | Costume Designer

Nia DaCosta | Director
Nia DaCosta, Gabrielle Nadig, Tessa Thompson, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner | Producers

SINNERS • Warner Bros. Pictures
Ruth E. Carter | Costume Designer

Ryan Coogler | Director
Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian, Ryan Coogler | Producers

WICKED: FOR GOOD • Universal Pictures
Paul Tazewell | Costume Designer

Jon M. Chu | Director
Marc Platt, David Stone | Producers

— 1st Annual New Jersey Film Critics Circle Awards —

Best Hair and Makeup

FRANKENSTEIN • Netflix

Guillermo del Toro | Director
Guillermo del Toro, J. Miles Dale, Scott Stuber | Producers

SINNERS • Warner Bros Pictures

Ryan Coogler | Director
Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian, Ryan Coogler | Producers

THE SMASHING MACHINE • A24

Benny Safdie | Director
Benny Safdie, Dwayne Johnson, Eli Bush, Hiram Garcia, Dany Garcia, David Koplan | Producers

WEAPONS • Warner Bros Pictures / New Line Cinema

Zach Cregger | Director
Zach Cregger, Roy Lee, Miri Yoon, J. D. Lifshitz, Raphael Margules | Producers

WICKED: FOR GOOD • Universal Pictures

Jon M. Chu | Director
Marc Platt, David Stone | Producers

— 1st Annual New Jersey Film Critics Circle Awards —

Best Sound

F1: THE MOVIE • Warner Bros. Pictures | Apple Original Films

Joseph Kosinski | Director
Jerry Bruckheimer, Joseph Kosinski, Lewis Hamilton, Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Chad Oman | Producers

ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER • Warner Bros. Pictures

Paul Thomas Anderson | Director
Paul Thomas Anderson, Adam Somner, Sara Murphy | Producers

SINNERS • Warner Bros. Pictures

Ryan Coogler | Director
Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian, Ryan Coogler | Producers

SIRĀT • NEON

Oliver Laxe | Director
Oliver Laxe, Santiago Fillol | Producers

WARFARE • A24

Ray Mendoza, Alex Garland | Directors
Andrew Macdonald, Mathew Penry-Davey, Allon Reich, Peter Rice | Producers

— 1st Annual New Jersey Film Critics Circle Awards —

Best Animated Feature

ARCO • NEON

Ugo Bienvenu | Director
Ugo Bienvenu, Félix de Givry, Sophie Mas, Natalie Portman | Producers

ELIO • Pixar Animation / Walt Disney Pictures

Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina | Directors
Mary Alice Drumm | Producer

KPOP DEMON HUNTERS • Netflix

Chris Appelhans, Maggie Kang | Directors
Michelle L.M. Wong | Producer

LITTLE AMÉLIE OR THE CHARACTER OF RAIN • GKIDS

Maïlys Vallade, Liane-Cho Han | Directors
Henri Magalon, Edwina Liard, Claire La Combe, Nidia Santiago | Producers

ZOOTOPIA 2 • Walt Disney Pictures

Jared Bush, Byron Howard | Directors
Yvett Merino Flores | Producer

— 1st Annual New Jersey Film Critics Circle Awards —

Best International Feature

IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT • NEON

Jafar Panahi | Director/Producer

NO OTHER CHOICE • NEON

Park Chan-wook | Director
Park Chan-wook, Jisun Back, Michèle Ray-Gavras, Alexandre Gavras | Producers

THE SECRET AGENT • NEON

Kleber Mendonça Filho | Director
Emilie Lesclaux, Kleber Mendonça Filho, Wagner Moura, Brent Travers | Producers

SENTIMENTAL VALUE • NEON

Joachim Trier | Director
Andrea Berentsen Ottmar, Maria Ekerhovd | Producers

SIRĀT • NEON

Óliver Laxe | Director
Domingo Corral, Óliver Laxe, Xavi Font, Pedro Almodóvar, Agustín Almodóvar, Esther García, Oriol Maymó, Mani Mortazavi, Andrea Queralt | Producers

— 1st Annual New Jersey Film Critics Circle Awards —

Best Documentary

2000 METERS TO ANDRIIVKA • PBS Distribution

Mstyslav Chernov | Director
Michelle Mizner, Raney Aronson-Rath, Mstyslav Chernov | Producers

COME SEE ME IN THE GOOD LIGHT • Apple Original Films

Ryan White | Director
Jessica Hargrave, Ryan White, Tig Notaro, Stef Willen | Producers

ORWELL: 2+2=5 • NEON

Raoul Peck | Director
Alex Gibney, Raoul Peck, George Chignell, Nick Shumaker | Producers

THE PERFECT NEIGHBOR • Netflix

Geeta Gandbhir | Director
Nikon Kwantu, Alisa Payne, Sam Bisbee, Geeta Gandbhir | Producers

PREDATORS • MTV Documentary Films / Paramount+

David Osit | Director
Jamie Gonçalves, Kellen Quinn, David Osit | Producers

— 1st Annual New Jersey Film Critics Circle Awards —

Best Cinematography

HAMNET • Focus Features
Lukasz Zal | Cinematographer

Chloé Zhao | Director
Liza Marshall, Pippa Harris, Nicolas Gonda, Sam Mendes, Steven Spielberg | Producers

NO OTHER CHOICE • NEON
Kim Woo-Hyung | Cinematographer

Park Chan-wook | Director
Park Chan-wook , Jisun Back , Michèle Ray-Gavras , Alexandre Gavras | Producers

ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER • Warner Bros. Pictures
Michael Bauman | Cinematographer

Paul Thomas Anderson | Director
Paul Thomas Anderson, Adam Somner, Sara Murphy | Producers

SINNERS • Warner Bros. Pictures
Autumn Durald Arkapaw | Cinematographer

Ryan Coogler | Director
Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian, Ryan Coogler | Producers

TRAIN DREAMS • Netflix
Adolpho Veloso | Cinematographer

Clint Bentley | Director
Marissa McMahon, Teddy Schwarzman, Will Janowitz, Ashley Schlaifer, Michael Heimler | Producers

— 1st Annual New Jersey Film Critics Circle Awards —

Best Visual Effects

AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH • 20th Century Studios

James Cameron | Director
James Cameron, Jon Landau | Producers

F1: THE MOVIE • Warner Bros. Pictures / Apple Original Films

Joseph Kosinski | Director
Jerry Bruckheimer, Joseph Kosinski, Lewis Hamilton, Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Chad Oman | Producers

FRANKENSTEIN • Netflix

Guillermo del Toro | Director
Guillermo del Toro, J. Miles Dale, Scott Stuber | Producers

SINNERS • Warner Bros. Pictures

Ryan Coogler | Director
Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian, Ryan Coogler | Producers

SUPERMAN • Warner Bros. Pictures

James Gunn | Director
Peter Safran, James Gunn | Producers

— 1st Annual New Jersey Film Critics Circle Awards —

Best Stunts

F1: THE MOVIE • Warner Bros. Pictures | Apple Original Films

Joseph Kosinski | Director
Jerry Bruckheimer, Joseph Kosinski, Lewis Hamilton, Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Chad Oman | Producers

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – THE FINAL RECKONING • Paramount Pictures

Christopher McQuarrie | Director
Christopher McQuarrie, Tom Cruise | Producers

ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER • Warner Bros. Pictures

Paul Thomas Anderson | Director
Paul Thomas Anderson, Adam Somner, Sara Murphy | Producers

THE RUNNING MAN • Paramount Pictures

Edgar Wright | Director
Edgar Wright, Nira Park, Audrey Chon, Simon Kinberg | Producers

SINNERS • Warner Bros. Pictures

Ryan Coogler | Director
Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian, Ryan Coogler | Producers

— 1st Annual New Jersey Film Critics Circle Awards —

Best Directorial Debut

Emilie Blichfeldt
THE UGLY STEPSISTER • IFC Films

Maria Ekerhovd | Producer

ANDREW DEYOUNG
FRIENDSHIP • A24

Nick Weidenfeld, Raphael Margules, J.D. Lifshitz, Johnny Holland | Producers

HARRY LIGHTON
PILLION • A24

Lee Groombridge, Ed Guiney, Andrew Lowe, Emma Norton | Producers

KRISTEN STEWART
THE CHRONOLOGY OF WATER • The Forge

Maggie Mclean, Dylan Meyer, Michael A. Pruss, Rebecca Feuer, Charles Gillibert, Yulia Zayceva, Max Pavlov, Svetlana Punte, Kristen Stewart, Andy Mingo | Producers

EVA VICTOR
SORRY, BABY • A24

Mark Ceryak, Barry Jenkins, Adele Romanski | Producers

— 1st Annual New Jersey Film Critics Circle Awards —

Best Breakthrough Performance

MILES CATON
SINNERS • Warner Bros. Pictures

Ryan Coogler | Director
Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian, Ryan Coogler | Producers

CHASE INFINITI
ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER • Warner Bros. Pictures

Paul Thomas Anderson | Director
Paul Thomas Anderson, Adam Somner, Sara Murphy | Producers

JACOBI JUPE
HAMNET • Focus Features

Chloé Zhao | Director
Liza Marshall, Pippa Harris, Nicolas Gonda, Sam Mendes, Steven Spielberg | Producers

INGA IBSDOTTER LILLEAAS
SENTIMENTAL VALUE • NEON

Joachim Trier | Director
Andrea Berentsen Ottmar, Maria Ekerhovd | Producers

EVA VICTOR
SORRY, BABY • A24

Eva Victor | Director
Adele Romanski, Mark Ceryak, Barry Jenkins | Producers

— 1st Annual New Jersey Film Critics Circle Awards —

Best Animal in A Movie

Bing the Dog
THE FRIEND • Bleecker Street

Scott McGehee, David Siegel | Directors
Liza Chasin, Scott McGehee, David Siegel, Mike Spreter | Producers

Googoo the Meerkat
LEFT-HANDED GIRL • Netflix

Shih-Ching Tsou | Director
Shih-Ching Tsou, Sean Baker, Mike Goodridge | Producers

Indy the Dog
GOOD BOY • IFC Films

Ben Leonberg | Director
Kari Fischer | Producer

Noochie the Cat
SORRY, BABY • A24

Eva Victor | Director
Adele Romanski, Mark Ceryak, Barry Jenkins | Producers

Tonic the Cat
CAUGHT STEALING • Warner Bros. Pictures

Darren Aronofsky | Director
Jeremy Dawson, Dylan Golden, Ari Handel, Darren Aronofsky | Producers

— 1st Annual New Jersey Film Critics Circle Awards —

Best LGBTQIA+ Representation

BLUE MOON • Sony Pictures Classics

Richard Linklater | Director
Mike Blizzard, Richard Linklater, John Sloss | Producers

HEDDA • Amazon MGM Studios / Orion Pictures

Nia DaCosta | Director
Nia DaCosta, Gabrielle Nadig, Tessa Thompson, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner | Producers

PILLION • A24

Harry Lighton | Director
Lee Groombridge, Ed Guiney, Andrew Lowe, Emma Norton | Producers

PLAINCLOTHES • Magnolia Pictures

Carmen Emmi | Director
Colby Cote, Arthur Landon, Eric Podwall, Vanessa Pantley | Producers

TWINLESS • Roadside Attractions / Lionsgate

James Sweeney | Director
David Permut, James Sweeney, Alex Astrachan | Producers

— 1st Annual New Jersey Film Critics Circle Awards —

Best New Jersey Representation

Any film released in 2025 with scenes that are set in New Jersey or that was filmed in New Jersey is eligible for the award for Best New Jersey Representation.

THE HOUSEMAID • Lionsgate

Paul Feig | Director
Todd Lieberman, Laura Allen Fischer, Paul Feig, Carly Kleinbart | Producers

MARTY SUPREME • A24

Josh Safdie | Director
Josh Safdie, Ronald Bronstein, Eli Bush, Anthony Katagas, Timothée Chalamet | Producers

PONYBOI • Tideline Entertainment / GATHR

Esteban Arango | Director
Mark Ankner, River Gallo, Adel Future Nur, Trevor Wall | Producers

PRESENCE • NEON

Steven Soderbergh | Director
Julie M. Anderson, Ken Meyer | Producers

SPRINGSTEEN: DELIVER ME FROM NOWHERE • 20th Century Studios

Scott Cooper | Director
Scott Cooper, Ellen Goldsmith-Vein, Eric Robinson, Scott Stuber | Producers

ABOUT THE NEW JERSEY FILM CRITICS CIRCLE

Founded in 2024, the NJFCC serves as a platform for both seasoned critics and emerging voices in film criticism. We are committed to championing distinct viewpoints and advocating for inclusivity in both the films we review and the critical conversations we foster. From major studio blockbusters to indie gems, documentaries to international cinema, our members offer insights across the full spectrum of film.

For too long, New Jersey film critics have been grouped with their New York counterparts, often overshadowing the unique perspectives they bring to the table. The New Jersey Film Critics Circle (NJFCC) aims to provide a devoted space for local critics, ensuring their voices are recognized and celebrated within the broader film community. Our goal is to elevate film criticism in New Jersey, amplifying the impact and recognition of local critics.