2025 L.A. Film Critics Association Announces Winners List

The Los Angeles Film Critics Association recently announced its winners for 2025, recognizing exceptional achievements in film. The prestigious title of Best Picture was awarded to “One Battle After Another,” with “The Secret Agent” receiving the runner-up honor.

Key Winners and Categories

• Best Director: Paul Thomas Anderson for “One Battle After Another” (runner-up: Ryan Coogler for “Sinners”)
• Best Lead Performance: Ethan Hawke for “Blue Moon” and Rose Byrne for “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You” (runner-up: Timothée Chalamet for “Marty Supreme” and Wagner Moura for “The Secret Agent”)
• Best Supporting Performance: Stellan Skarsgård for “Sentimental Value” and Teyana Taylor for “One Battle After Another” (runner-up: Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas for “Sentimental Value” and Andrew Scott for “Blue Moon”)
• Best Cinematography: Adolpho Veloso for “Train Dreams” (runner-up: Autumn Durald Arkapaw for “Sinners”)
• Best Production Design: Hannah Beachler for “Sinners” (runner-up: Tamara Deverell for “Frankenstein”)
• Best Editing: Ronald Bronstein and Josh Safdie for “Marty Supreme” (runner-up: Andy Jurgensen for “One Battle After Another”)
• Best Animation: “Little Amélie or the Character of Rain” (runner-up: “KPop Demon Hunters”)
• Best Film Not in the English Language: “The Secret Agent” (runner-up: “It Was Just an Accident”)
• Best Screenplay: Jafar Panahi for “It Was Just an Accident” (runner-up: Eva Victor for “Sorry, Baby”)
• Best Documentary/Nonfiction: “My Undesirable Friends: Part I – Last Air in Moscow” (runner-up: “The Perfect Neighbor”)

Special Citations and Career Achievements

The critics’ group awarded a Special Citation to Judy Kim for her contributions to Gardena Cinema. This historic, single-screen venue has been a community beacon since 1976.

Additionally, the group previously recognized filmmaker Philip Kaufman with the Career Achievement Award. Kaufman is celebrated for his diverse body of work and for inspiring the NC-17 rating. LAFCA president Robert Abele praised Kaufman as a director who defies categorization and has significantly influenced American cinema.

A Trend in Film Recognition

The Los Angeles Film Critics Association’s selections often foreshadow upcoming Academy Award nominations. Last year, “Anora” won Best Picture at LAFCA and subsequently secured an Oscar nod, ultimately winning the prestigious award.

Gender-Neutral Acting Categories

This year marks the fourth consecutive time that the awards feature gender-neutral acting categories, promoting inclusivity in recognition of talent.

In summary, the LAFCA’s 2025 awards highlight significant achievements in filmmaking, with “One Battle After Another” leading the way.