Critics Circle

President: Charles Spencer

Vice-President:Tom Sutcliffe

Hon. General Secretary: William Russell, 50 Finland Road, Brockley, London SE4 2JH who will deal with any queries.

Hon. Treasurer: Peter Cargin

Trustees: Ian Herbert and Michael Billington

The Critics’ Circle, which makes an annual award to someone in the world of the Arts (see the banner above), is comprised of five sections: Dance, Art and Architecture, Drama, Film and Music. The aims are to promote the art of criticism, to uphold its integrity in practice, to foster and safeguard members’ professional interests, to provide opportunities to meet, and to support the advancement of the arts. Admission to membership is by invitation of the Circle. Currently there are over 390 members, mostly from the UK, the majority of whom write regularly for national and regional newspapers and magazines.

The Critics’ Circle is run by a Council of elected members from each section. The sections hold several meetings a year to admit new members, discuss current issues, and meet artists in their particular field. Occasional lunches are held to celebrate the work of a distinguished artist.

As well as the Critics' Circle Award voted for by all members of the Circle, three of the sections – Dance, Drama and Film – hold their own awards ceremonies at the beginning of each year. Critics vote for the winners and present the awards. The Film awards were first held in 1980 and are presented in association with the NSPCC. The Drama awards were started in 1989. The National Dance awards are the only ones of their kind held in the UK.

'The Critics’ Circular is published twice a year and any contributions should be sent to William Russell on Williamfinland@gmail.com

The Drama Section is also a member of the British Section of the International Association of Theatre Critics.

The 29th Critics' Circle Film Awards

Nominations

(Full details of these can be obtained from the NSPCC press office. Other contact details are on the film page of this site)

Film of the year - The Curious Case of Benjamin Button; Frost/Nixon; Milk; Wall-E; The Wrestler.

The Attenborough Award for British Film of the year - Happy-Go-Lucky;Hunger;In Bruges;Man on Wire;Slumdog.

Foreign Language Film of the year - Gomorrah; I've Loved You So Long;The Orphanage; Persepolis; Walts With Bashir.

Director of the year - Darren Aronofsky; Danny Boyle; Clint Eastwood; David Fincher; Gus Van Sant.

British Director of the year - Danny Boyle; Terence Davies; Mike Leigh;Steve McQueen; Chrispher Nolan.

Actor of the year - Josh Brolin; Frankl Langella;Heath Ledger; Sean Penn; Mickey Rourke.

Actress of the year - Penelope Cruz; Anne Hathaway;Angelina Jolie; Meryl Streep; Kate Winslett.

British Actor of the year - Michael Fassbender; Ralph Fiennes; Ben Kingsley; Dev Patel; Michael Sheen.

British Actress of the year - Rebecca Hall;Sally Hawkins; Kristin Scott Thomas; Tilda Swinton; Kate Winslet.

British Actor in a supporting role - Liam Cunningham; Toby Jones; Eddie Marsan; Peter O'Toole; Mark Strong.

British Actress in a supporting role - Haylewy Atwell; Kristin Scott Thomas; Tilda Swinton; Emma Thompson; Alexis Zegerman.

Screenwriter of the year - Simon Beaufoy; David Hare; Martin McDonagh; Peter Morgan; Eric Roth.

Breakthrough film maker award - Joanna Hogg; Martin McDonagh; Steve McQueen; James Watkins; Rupert Wyatt.

The Dilys Powell Award for Outstanding Contribution to Cinema, which is in the gift of the Awards Committee - Dame Judi Dench.

and The NSPCC have their own award for Young British Performer of the Year voted for by members of the film section

Nominees - Asa Butterfield; Georgia Groome; Bill Milner; Dev Patel; Will Poulter; Thomas Turgoose.