My own personal choices for the year. They reflect not just necessarily what I think is the best or essential cinema, but perhaps resonate with me or inspire, both at the time, and still today. Subject to alter choices based on viewings.
Special Honor for Career Excellence: Thomas Newman
Special Honor for Female Filmmaking: Marielle Heller
Special Honor for World Cinema: Hou Hsiao-hsien
Special Honor for LGBTQ Representation: Tangerine
Actor Support: Oscar Isaac (Ex Machina)
Filmmaking Breakthrough: Ana Lily Amirpour (A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night)
Sound Design: Ex Machina
Special Effects: Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Acting Breakthrough: Daisy Ridley (Star Wars: The Force Awakens)
Cast Ensemble: Wild Tales
Actor Lead: Mark Ruffalo (Infinitely Polar Bear)
Set Design: Crimson Peak
Costume Design: Cinderella
Youth Breakthrough: Abraham Attah (Beasts of No Nation)
Score Composing: Michael Brook (Brooklyn)
Song Composing: “Simple Song #3” (Youth)
Picture Editing: Mad Max: Fury Road
Cinematography: Lyle Vincent (A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night)
Documentary: Amy
Actress Support: Érica Rivas (Wild Tales)
Screenwriting Adapted: Nick Hornby (Brooklyn)
Screenwriting Original: Efthimis Filippou, Yorgos Lanthimos (The Lobster)
Animation: Inside Out
Actress Lead: Alicia Vikander (The Danish Girl)
Directing: George Miller (Mad Max: Fury Road)
Motion Picture: Wild Tales (Damián Szifrón) Argentina / Spain
