Annual Gala Awards Dinner Scheduled
The New York Film Critics Circle (NYFCC) has officially announced that its annual Gala Awards dinner will take place on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at TAO Downtown. David Ehrlich will take on the role of Chair for the NYFCC in 2025, while Stephen Garrett will maintain his position as General Manager of the organization. The awards ceremony held this past year at the same venue celebrated the group’s significant milestone of 90 years in existence.
Highlights from Last Year’s Ceremony
The previous awards night featured several memorable moments, including Robert Pattinson presenting the Best Picture award to Brady Corbet for his film, *The Brutalist*. Other notable presentations included Wallace Shawn awarding Annie Baker with Best First Film for *Janet Planet*, Claire Danes honoring Kieran Culkin with Best Supporting Actor for *A Real Pain*, and Jim Jarmusch presenting Sean Baker with Best Screenplay for *Anora*. Additionally, John Turturro awarded Carol Kane with Best Supporting Actress for her role in *Between the Temples*, while Guy Pearce presented Adrien Brody with the Best Actor award, also for *The Brutalist*.
Looking Forward to 2025
David Ehrlich, the Chair of the NYFCC, expressed optimism about the upcoming year, noting that as the film industry recovers from various challenges faced in recent years, 2025 is poised to be a vibrant year for cinema. He anticipates that the NYFCC will usher in its next decade by honoring an impressive array of films at the upcoming awards dinner.
Collaboration with The Paris Theater
The NYFCC will also continue its collaboration with The Paris Theater through the “NYFCC @ The Paris” series. This initiative features Circle members showcasing their favorite films, often accompanied by discussions with filmmakers afterward. Recent screenings, including *The Philadelphia Story* and *School Daze*, which featured a Q&A with production designer Wynn Thomas, have attracted enthusiastic audiences. Furthermore, *Far From Heaven* also included a post-screening discussion with cinematographer Ed Lachman.
Support for Student Awards
Additionally, the NYFCC will persist in its commitment to recognizing aspiring film critics and journalists through its student awards, aimed at graduate and undergraduate students in the New York metropolitan area. NYFCC member Keith Uhlich will oversee this initiative, which provides financial assistance along with invitations to the awards dinner.
Legacy of the NYFCC
Established in 1935, the New York Film Critics Circle is recognized as the oldest critics organization in the United States and holds a prestigious reputation in the film industry. Its membership comprises critics from esteemed daily and weekly newspapers, magazines, and respected online publications. Each year, the NYFCC convenes to vote on awards for the films released that calendar year, often being among the first major groups to announce their winners. The selections made by the NYFCC frequently influence the trajectory of Awards Season, while at times, their choices stand apart from other organizations. The group’s awards dinner in early January is traditionally viewed as the kickoff for a new year of exciting cinematic events in New York City.
