LAFCA Awards: Relentless Competition Defines the Night

The Los Angeles Film Critics Association (LAFCA) recently held its 51st awards ceremony, featuring intense competition among noteworthy films. In a standout victory, *One Battle After Another* claimed the title of Best Picture, with director Paul Thomas Anderson also receiving accolades for Best Director. This marked Anderson’s third win in this directing category at LAFCA, having previously triumphed in 2007 for *There Will Be Blood* and in 2012 for *The Master*.

Notable Winners and Runners-Up

Last year’s Best Picture winner from LAFCA, *Anora*, went on to secure an Oscar, following in the footsteps of previous winners like *The Hurt Locker* (2009) and *Parasite* (2019). The Best Picture runner-up this year, *The Secret Agent*, was also recognized as the Best Film Not in the English Language. In an effort to avoid overlap, LAFCA votes for Best Picture before the Best Film Not in the English Language award.

Acting Awards

In the acting categories, Rose Byrne won Best Leading Performance for her role in *If I Had Legs I’d Kick You*. Byrne’s win marks her fourth from LAFCA, adding to her accolades from the New York Film Critics and Toronto Film Critics. Ethan Hawke shared the top prize in the leading category for his work in *Blue Moon*.

• Leading Performances:
  • Rose Byrne – *If I Had Legs I’d Kick You*
  • Ethan Hawke – *Blue Moon*
  • Runners-up: Timothée Chalamet (*Marty Supreme*), Wagner Moura (*The Secret Agent*)
• Supporting Performances:
  • Stellan Skarsgård – *Sentimental Value*
  • Teyana Taylor – *One Battle After Another*
  • Runners-up: Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas (*Sentimental Value*), Andrew Scott (*Blue Moon*)

Additional Honors

This year, the LAFCA honored Philip Kaufman with the Career Achievement Award. He is recognized for his versatile filmmaking career, which balances independent spirit with engaging storytelling. The Special Citation went to Judy Kim, owner of Gardena Cinema, a historic venue operating since 1976.

The LAFCA has established a reputation for promoting innovative filmmaking and fostering diverse storytelling in the industry. The association will pay tribute to its award winners, including Kaufman, at a ceremony scheduled for January 10, 2026, at the Biltmore Hotel.

Complete List of Winners

As the LAFCA continues to spotlight outstanding achievements in cinema, the awards help define a competitive landscape that is shaping the future of film.