For over 103 years the National Board of Review has dedicated its efforts to the support of film, domestic and foreign, as both art and entertainment. Their nonprofit organization celebrates the distinctive voice of the individual artist, honoring excellence and supporting freedom of expression in film.
Over 250 films (studio, independent, foreign-language, animated, and documentary) are viewed throughout the year by a select group of knowledgeable film enthusiasts, filmmakers, academics, and students. At year’s end, members receive a list of all films screened, along with final ballots, which are tabulated by a certified public accounting firm in order to determine annual honorees.
Best Film
ZERO DARK THIRTY
Best Director
Kathryn Bigelow, ZERO DARK THIRTY
Best Actor
Bradley Cooper, SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK
Best Actress
Jessica Chastain, ZERO DARK THIRTY
Best Adapted Screenplay
David O. Russell, SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK
Best Animated Feature
WRECK-IT RALPH
Best Directorial Debut
Benh Zeitlin, BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD
Best Documentary
SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN
Best Ensemble
LES MISÉRABLES
Best Foreign Language Film
AMOUR
Best Original Screenplay
Rian Johnson, LOOPER
Best Supporting Actor
Leonardo DiCaprio, DJANGO UNCHAINED
Best Supporting Actress
Ann Dowd, COMPLIANCE*
Breakthrough Performance Actor
Tom Holland, THE IMPOSSIBLE
Breakthrough Performance Actress
Quvenzhané Wallis BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD
NBR Freedom of Expression
THE CENTRAL PARK FIVE
NBR Freedom of Expression
PROMISED LAND
Special Achievement in Filmmaking
Ben Affleck, ARGO
Spotlight Award
John Goodman (ARGO, FLIGHT, PARANORMAN, TROUBLE WITH THE CURVE)
Top 10 Independent Films
(In Alphabetical Order) ARBITRAGE, BERNIE, COMPLIANCE, END OF WATCH, HELLO I MUST BE GOING, LITTLE BIRDS, MOONRISE KINGDOM, ON THE ROAD, QUARTET, SLEEPWALK WITH ME
Top Films
(in alphabetical order) ARGO, BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD, DJANGO UNCHAINED, LES MISÉRABLES, LINCOLN, LOOPER, THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER, PROMISED LAND, SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK
* Neither the movie Compliance, nor its winner for Best Supporting Actress, are eligible for 2013 Oscars, as the movie debuted on VOD before its theatrical run. Movies that debut on video or VOD before being released in movie theaters are ineligble, rightfully so, for any Oscar consideration.
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