Chicago Film Critics Association

Last updated
Chicago Film Critics Association
AbbreviationCFCA
Formation 1990
Purpose Film criticism
Location
  • Chicago, Illinois
Official language
English
Website www.chicagofilmcritics.org

The Chicago Film Critics Association (CFCA) is an association of professional film critics, who work in print, broadcast and online media, based in Chicago, Illinois, United States. [1] The organization was founded in 1990 by film critics Sharon LeMaire and Sue Kiner, following the success of the first Chicago Film Critics Awards given out in 1988. [2] The association comprises 60 members.

Contents

Since 1989, the CFCA has given out annual awards that recognize the best films in a variety of categories. These awards are noted in the established print media such as Variety and The Hollywood Reporter . [3] [4] The association has also hosted the annual Chicago Critics Film Festival since 2013, which intends to bring a number of feature and short films to a larger audience.

Membership

The Chicago Film Critics Association restricts its membership to professional film critics, who have been employed in the media as a "critical voice or staff authority" on the subject of the cinema for six months. [5] [6] Applicants for membership in the CFCA must provide a letter signed by a producer or editor showing they have been in paid employment as a critic, as well as examples of published work. [6] Applicants must also reside in the Chicago area. [5] By 2004, the CFCA had just over 40 members and now comprises over 60. [1] [7]

Its membership includes writers for such film-related websites and print media as Ain't It Cool News , The A.V. Club , Chicago Sun-Times , Daily Herald , Consequence of Sound , Paste , RogerEbert.com and eFilmCritic.com. [6]

Chicago Film Critics Awards

Chicago Film Critics Association Awards
Current: Chicago Film Critics Association Awards 2023
Awarded forachievement in film making and acting performances
CountryFlag of the United States (23px).png  United States
Presented byThe Chicago Film Critics Association
First awarded1988;36 years ago (1988)
Website https://chicagofilmcritics.org/awards/

The Chicago Film Critics Awards (also known as the Chicago Flames [8] ) have been held annually since 1988 and recognise achievement in film making and acting performances. The first awards were compiled by the CFCA's founders and were not presented in a ceremony. [9] In the past, winners received a glass Chicago Flame trophy, which featured an etching of the Chicago skyline created by artist Josef Puehringer. [10] In 2019, following the death of longtime CFCA member Milos Stehlik, the organization's Most Promising Filmmaker award was renamed in his honor to the Milos Stehlik Breakthrough Filmmaker Award. [11]

Current award categories

Previous award categories

20th Century Fox boycott

In 2007, the CFCA boycotted all 20th Century Fox and Fox Searchlight films, as part of a protest over the studio's decision to limit online critics' access to media screenings. [12] A number of critics complained that the late media screenings affected the quality of their reviews. [12] The CFCA's protest garnered support from many other film critics associations, including the Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association and the San Francisco Film Critics Circle. [12]

Chicago Critics Film Festival

The Chicago Critics Film Festival was founded in 2013 and is held annually. It is the only film festival in the country that is entirely programmed and produced by a film critics association. [13] Of the decision to host a film festival, Erik Childress, the festival's producer and CFCA board member stated, "We really wanted to be a bigger part of the film discussion here in Chicago, and we wanted to bring the discussion about these films to the community. It was an idea that was floating out there until we had the means to pull it off. It's really expanded far beyond what we expected." [14]

The inaugural event was held from April 12–14, 2013 at the Muvico Theater in Rosemont. [14] The festival showcased over 20 films that would have had a low distribution in a bid to expose them to a larger audience. Films shown included The Spectacular Now and The Dirties . [14] The event also featured Q&A sessions with directors William Friedkin and Sarah Polley. [14] The second festival was expanded to a week, beginning May 9, 2014 at the Music Box Theatre. [13]

Related Research Articles

<i>An Angel at My Table</i> 1990 film by Jane Campion

An Angel at My Table is a 1990 biographical drama film directed by Jane Campion. The film is based on Janet Frame's three autobiographies, To the Is-Land (1982), An Angel at My Table (1984), and The Envoy from Mirror City (1984). The film was very well received. It won awards at the New Zealand Film and Television awards, the Toronto International Film Festival, and second prize at the Venice Film Festival.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hong Sang-soo</span> South Korean film director (born 1960)

Hong Sang-soo is a South Korean film director and screenwriter. An acclaimed and prolific filmmaker, Hong is known for his slow-paced films about love affairs and everyday dilemmas in contemporary South Korea.

The 16th Chicago Film Critics Association Awards, honoring the best in film for 2003, were presented in 2004. The awards were originally going to be cancelled because the 2003 screener ban but when a judge ruled against it and the studios started to send out screeners again the awards were held after all.

The 9th Chicago Film Critics Association Awards, given on 10 March 1997, honored the finest achievements in 1996 filmmaking.

The 15th Chicago Film Critics Association Awards, given on 8 January 2003, honored the finest achievements in 2002 filmmaking.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor</span>

The Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor is an annual award given by the Chicago Film Critics Association.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Original Score</span>

The Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Original Score is one of several categories presented by the Chicago Film Critics Association (CFCA), an association of professional film critics, who work in print, broadcast and online media, based in Chicago. Since the 6th Chicago Film Critics Association Awards (1993), the award has been presented annually. The nominations from 1993, 1994 and 2004 are not available. The first Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Original Score went to composer Michael Nyman for his score to The Piano. The most recent recipient of this award is Robbie Robertson for the Western crime drama film Killers of the Flower Moon. It was awarded posthumously.

<i>The Descendants</i> 2011 drama film directed by Alexander Payne

The Descendants is a 2011 American comedy-drama film directed by Alexander Payne. The screenplay by Payne, Nat Faxon, and Jim Rash is based on the 2007 novel of the same name by Kaui Hart Hemmings. The film stars George Clooney in the main role, Shailene Woodley, Amara Miller in her film debut, Beau Bridges, Judy Greer, Matthew Lillard, and Robert Forster, and was released by Fox Searchlight Pictures in the United States on November 18, 2011, after premiering at the 2011 Toronto International Film Festival on September 10, 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Cinematography</span>

The Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Cinematography is one of several categories presented by the Chicago Film Critics Association (CFCA), an association of professional film critics, who work in print, broadcast and online media, based in Chicago. Since the 3rd Chicago Film Critics Association Awards (1990), the award is presented annually. Nominations from 1991 to 1994 are not available. The first Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Cinematography went to Dean Semler for his work on Dances with Wolves. The most recent recipient of this award is Hoyte van Hoytema for Oppenheimer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emerald Fennell</span> English actress, filmmaker, and writer

Emerald Lilly Fennell is an English actress, filmmaker, and writer. She has received numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, two BAFTA Awards, and nominations for three Primetime Emmy Awards and three Golden Globe Awards.

The 27th Chicago Film Critics Association Awards were announced on December 15, 2014. The awards honor the best in film for 2014. The first round ballots were due on December 11, 2014 and the nominations were announced on December 12. Birdman received the most nominations (9), followed by The Grand Budapest Hotel (8) and Boyhood (7).

The Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Editing is an annual award given by the Chicago Film Critics Association since 2012.

Darius Marder is an American film director, screenwriter, and editor from Massachusetts. He is known for directing and co-writing Sound of Metal, for which he was nominated for Best Original Screenplay at the 93rd Academy Awards. The film received a total of six nominations at the Academy Awards, including Best Picture, winning Best Editing and Best Sound. Marder also edited the Academy Award-winning documentary Freeheld (2007).

The Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Costume Design is one of several categories presented by the Chicago Film Critics Association (CFCA), an association of professional film critics, who work in print, broadcast and online media, based in Chicago. Since the 32nd Chicago Film Critics Association Awards (2019), the award has been presented annually. The first Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Costume Design went to Jacqueline Durran for her work on Little Women. The most recent recipient of this award is Holly Waddington for the film Poor Things. British costume designer Jacqueline Durran has the most nominations (3) and the most wins (2). Both Ruth E. Carter and Jacqueline West have two nominations, but no wins. Alexandra Byrne, Shirley Kurata, and Holly Waddington have one win from one nomination.

References

  1. 1 2 Gire, Dann (November 12, 2007). "7 Chicago Film Critics award nominations for 'Clayton'". Daily Herald . Archived from the original on December 25, 2014. Retrieved July 20, 2015.
  2. ↑ "Sneak preview Weeks before the Oscars are awarded on March..." Chicago Tribune . March 1, 1992. Archived from the original on July 22, 2015. Retrieved July 20, 2015.
  3. ↑ Thielman, Sam (December 21, 2009). "'Locker' locks up Chicago critics". Variety . Archived from the original on July 23, 2015. Retrieved July 20, 2015.
  4. ↑ Ng, Philiana (December 22, 2010). "Chicago Film Critics Friend 'The Social Network'". The Hollywood Reporter . Archived from the original on December 26, 2010. Retrieved July 20, 2015.
  5. 1 2 Ratny, Ruth L. (January 1, 2012). "Film Critics Awards back Jan. 7 after 5 year absence". ReelChicago.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved July 20, 2015.
  6. 1 2 3 "Chicago Film Critics Association Members (2014–15)". Chicago Film Critics Association. Archived from the original on June 28, 2015. Retrieved July 20, 2015.
  7. ↑ Dickerson, Justin (December 20, 2004). "Chi crix look 'Sideways' for 2004 best pic award". Variety . Archived from the original on July 23, 2015. Retrieved July 20, 2015.
  8. ↑ Gire, Dann (March 15, 1996). "Stars Come out for Chicago Film Critics Awards". Daily Herald . Retrieved July 20, 2015.(subscription required)
  9. ↑ Voedisch, Lynn (March 8, 1990). "Local film reviewers will give awards as Ebert, Siskel abstain". Chicago Sun-Times . Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved July 21, 2015.
  10. ↑ Tucker, Ernest (March 5, 1993). "'Malcolm X' Is the Best, Say Chicago Film Critics". Chicago Sun-Times . Archived from the original on September 21, 2014. Retrieved July 21, 2015.(subscription required)
  11. ↑ "'Little Women' leads Chicago Film Critics Awards". FF2 Media. 2019-12-16. Retrieved 2022-01-10.
  12. 1 2 3 Piccalo, Gina (July 20, 2007). "Online critics expand boycott against Fox". Los Angeles Times . Archived from the original on October 18, 2015. Retrieved July 20, 2015.
  13. 1 2 "And now, the sequel: Critics expand second Chicago film fest". Daily Herald . May 5, 2014. Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved July 20, 2015.
  14. 1 2 3 4 Sims, Amanda (April 3, 2013). "What You'll See at the First Chicago Film Critics Association Festival". Chicago . Archived from the original on July 22, 2015. Retrieved July 20, 2015.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.