Moonlight beats La La Land in LA Film Critics awards
Manchester by the Sea, The Lobster and Your Name also winners, as awards season in the US kicks up a gear
Moonlight won best picture honours from the Los Angeles Film Critics Association on Sunday, one of four awards – including one for director for Barry Jenkins – that give the independent film some unexpected momentum as awards season kicks into high gear.
The Los Angeles critics also gave first-place or runner-up honours in various categories to Manchester by the Sea, La La Land and O.J.: Made in America.
But the day belonged to Moonlight, the intimate drama depicting three periods in the life of a young gay black man set in Miami’s Liberty City neighbourhood. Its wins included Mahershala Ali in the supporting actor category and James Laxton for cinematography.
On Thursday the Broadcast Film Critics Association gave Moonlight 10 nominations, including picture and director, for its Critics Choice Awards. The film also has picked up six nominations for the Film Independent Spirit Awards, including feature, director, screenplay, cinematography, editing and the Robert Altman Award, which honours the director, casting director Yesi Ramirez and the acting ensemble.
Last year the Los Angeles critics selected Spotlight for best picture and screenplay, and the film went on to win Academy Awards in those categories.