The Hollywood Critics Association (HCA) held their fifth annual awards show last night. Denis Villenevue’s “Dune” earned the most with four awards, while Sian Heder’s “Coda” took home three awards including Best Picture. As for performances, Best Actor went to Andrew for his lead role in “tick, tick…BOOM!” and Kristen Stewart won Best Actress for her performance in “Spencer.” And in a surprise twist, Best Directors were jointly awarded to Denis Villeneuve for “Dune” & “Jane Campion” for “The Power of The Dog.”
“2021 was a year full of change in the world of cinema with a limited number of films being released theatrically and a seismic shift in the film landscape, which created an opportunity for many films to be seen by audiences worldwide,’ said HCA Founder Scott Menzel. “The Hollywood Critics Association is honored to bestow this year’s awards to some of the best in filmmaking as we hopefully move forward with a new normal and can continue to celebrate the film watching experience in theaters and at home. Congrats to all the winners and thank you for the magic you gave us this year.”
ThatsItLA’s Editor-in-Chief Tee Burgess and news reporter Michael Lee were able to attend last night’s festivities and watch the HCA bestow Honorary Awards including the Acting Achievement Award to Nicolas Cage, Artisan Achievement Award to Greig Fraser, Artisan on the Rise to Alice Brooks, Excellence in Artistry to Kenneth Branagh, Filmmaker on the Rise to Natalie Morales, Filmmaking Achievement Award to Guillermo del Toro, Game Changer Award to Simu Liu, Inspire Award to Aunjanue Ellis, International Icon Award to Javier Bardem, Newcomer Award to Jude Hill, Spotlight Award to The Cast of CODA and Star on the Rise to Saniyya Sidney.
The HCA
Below is a full list of the 2021 award recipients, announced by the Hollywood Critics Association:
Best Picture – CODA
Best Actor – Andrew Garfield, tick, tick…BOOM!
Best Actress – Kristen Stewart, Spencer
Best Supporting Actor – Troy Kotsur, CODA
Best Supporting Actress – Ariana DeBose, West Side Story
Best Cast Ensemble – Belfast
Best Director *Tie* – Denis Villeneuve, Dune & Jane Campion, The Power of The Dog
Best Original Screenplay – Fran Kranz, Mass
Best Adapted Screenplay – Siân Heder, CODA
Best Animated or VFX Performance – Stephanie Beatriz, Encanto
Best Action Film – The Harder They Fall
Best Animated Film – The Mitchells vs. The Machines
Best Comedy or Musical – tick, tick…BOOM!
Best Documentary – Summer of Soul
Best Horror – Last Night in Soho
Best Indie Film – Pig
Best International Film – Drive My Car
Best First Feature – Lin-Manuel Miranda, tick, tick…BOOM!
Best Short Film – Us Again
Best Score – Hans Zimmer, Dune
Best Original Song – Be Alive, King Richard
Best Cinematography – Greig Fraser, Dune
Best Production Design – Tamara Deverell, Nightmare Alley
Best Film Editing – Paul Machliss, Last Night in Soho
Best Stunts – Shang-Chi and The Legend of the Ten Rings
Best Costume Design – Jenny Beavan, Cruella
Best Hair & Makeup – Justin Raleigh, Linda Dowds, and Stephanie Ingram, The Eyes of Tammy Faye
Best Visual Effects – Brian Connor, Gerd Nefzer, Paul Lambert, and Tristan Myles, Dune
Honorary Awards
Acting Achievement Award – Nicolas Cage
Artisan Achievement Award – Greig Fraser
Artisan on the Rise – Alice Brooks
Excellence in Artistry – Kenneth Branagh
Filmmaker on the Rise – Natalie Morales
Filmmaking Achievement Award – Guillermo del Toro
Game Changer Award – Simu Liu
Inspire Award – Aunjanue Ellis
International Icon Award – Javier Bardem
Newcomer Award – Jude Hill
Spotlight Award – The Cast of CODA
Star on the Rise – Saniyya Sidney