Essential Film Awards



The Essential Film Awards


WINNERS



5 BROKEN CAMERAS (2012)
  • Best Film - Documentary Feature


12 YEARS A SLAVE (2013)
  • 2013 - Official Selection
  • Best Actor in a Lead Role - Chiwetel Ejiofor
  • Best Actress in a Supporting Role - Lupita Nyong'o
  • Best Screenplay: Adapted Material - John Ridley based on 12 Years a Slave by Solomon Northup

13 ASSASSINS (2010)
  • Best Action/Adventure Film

127 HOURS (2010)
  • Top Ten Film of 2010


THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN (2011)
  • Best Animated Feature
  • Special Achievement - Andy Serkis (also for Rise of the Planet of the Apes)


AMERICAN HUSTLE (2013)
  • 2013 - Official Selection
  • Best Ensemble Cast - Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, Jennifer Lawrence, Louis CK

AMOUR (2012)
  • Best Actress in a Lead Role - Emmanuelle Riva
  • Best Film - Foreign Language Feature

AMY (2015)
  • Best Film - Documentary Feature


ANNIHILATION (2018)
  • Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Film

ANOMALISA (2015)
  • Best Film - Limited Theatrical Release

THE ARBOR (2011)
  • Special Achievement - For its unique artistic production of blending stage play, documentary and narrative storytelling to create a compelling feature.For its unique artistic production of blending stage play, documentary and narrative storytelling to create a compelling feature.

ARGO (2012)
  • 2012 - Official Selection
  • Best Director - Ben Affleck


ARRIVAL (2016)
  • 2016 - Official Selection
  • Best Screenplay - Adapted or Historical Material
  • Best Film Editing

THE ARTIST (2011)
  • Top Ten Film of 2011
  • Best Comedy Film


ATTACK THE BLOCK (2011)
  • Best Horror Film


AVATAR (2009)
  • Best Visual Effects

THE AVENGERS (2012)
  • 2012 - Official Selection
  • Best Science Fiction Film


AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR (2018)
  • Best Voice Acting/Motion Capture Performance - Josh Brolin
  • Best Visual Effects
  • Best Blockbuster Film

THE BABADOOK (2014)
  • Best Horror/Thriller Film

BABY DRIVER (2017)
  • Best Stunts


    BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD (2012)
    • Best Film - Limited Theatrical Release


    BEFORE MIDNIGHT (2013)
    • 2013 - Official Selection


    THE BIG SHORT (2015)
    • 2015 - Official Selection
    • Best Film Editing

    THE BIG SICK (2017)
    • 2017 - Official Selection
    • Best Screenplay - Original Material
    • Best Film - Comedy or Musical

    BIRDMAN (2014)
    • 2014 - Official Selection
    • Best Actor in a Leading Role - Michael Keaton


    BLACK PANTHER (2018)
    • 2018 - Official Selection
    • Best Supporting Actor - Michael B. Jordan
    • Best Art Direction/Visual Design
    • Best Costumes
    • Best Action/Adventure Film

    BLACK SWAN (2010)
    • Top Ten Film of 2010
    • Best Cinematography - Matthew Libatique

    BLACKFISH (2013)
    • Best Film - Documentary Feature


    BLACKKKLANSMAN (2018)
    • 2018 - Official Selection
    • Best Screenplay - Adapted

    BLADE RUNNER 2049 (2017)
    • Best Cinematography
    • Best Production Design
    • Best Visual Effects

    BLUE IS THE WARMEST COLOR (2013)
    • Best Film - Foreign Language Feature

    BLUE JASMINE (2013)
    • Best Actress in a Lead Role - Cate Blanchett (tie)

    BLUE VALENTINE (2010)
    • Best Film - Limited Theatrical Release


    BOYHOOD (2014)
    • 2014 - Official Selection
    • Best Film of the Year
    • Best Director - Richard Linklater
    • Best Editing 


    THE BREADWINNER (2014)
    • Best Performance in a Voice Acting Role - Saara Chaudry

    THE CABIN IN THE WOODS (2012)
    • Best Horror Film


    CALL ME BY YOUR NAME (2017)
    • 2017 - Official Selection
    • Best Actor in a Supporting Role - Michael Stuhlbarg

    CAPTAIN AMERICA: CIVIL WAR (2016)
    • 2016 - Official Selection
    • Best Blockbuster Film

    CAPTAIN PHILLIPS (2013)
    • 2013 - Official Selection
    • Best Action/Adventure Film


    CAROL (2015)
    • 2015 - Official Selection

    CLOUD ATLAS (2012)
    • 2012 - Official Selection
    • Best Film Editing 
    • Best MakeUp Effects
    • Best Music - Score


    COCO (2017)
    • 2017 - Official Selection
    • Best Music - Original Song - "Remember Me"
    • Best Animated Feature


    COLD WAR (2018)
    • 2018 - Official Selection
    • Best Cinematography
    • Best Foreign Language Film

    THE CONJURING (2013)
    • Best Genre Film - Horror

    CORALINE (2009)
    • Official Selection


    THE COVE (2009)
    • Best Documentary

    CREED (2015)
    • 2015 - Official Selection
    • Best Actor in a Supporting Role - Sylvester Stallone

    CURFEW (2012)
    • Best Film - Live Action Short


    DALLAS BUYERS CLUB (2013)
    • Best Actor in a Supporting Role - Jared Leto


    THE DARK KNIGHT RISES (2012)
    • 2012 - Official Selection
    • Best Actor in a Supporting Role - Tom Hardy
    • Best Stunt Choreography


    DAY & NIGHT (2010)
    • Best Short Film - Animated


    DEADPOOL (2016)
    • Best Action/Adventure Film

    THE DESCENDANTS (2011)
    • Top Ten Film of 2011


    DISTRICT 9 (2009)
    • Official Selection

    DJANGO UNCHAINED (2012)
    • 2012 - Official Selection
    • Best Ensemble Cast
    • Best Screenplay: Original Material - Quentin Tarantino


    DOCTOR STRANGE (2016)
    • Best Visual Effects

    DOGTOOTH (2010)
    • Best Foreign Film


    DRIVE (2011)
    • Top Ten Film of 2011
    • Best Actor in a Supporting Role - Albert Brooks
    • Best Ensemble Cast
    • Best Cinematography - Newton Thomas Sigel
    • Best Music - Soundtrack
    • Best Sound Design


    DUNKIRK (2017)
    • 2017 - Official Selection
    • Best Director - Christopher Nolan
    • Best Film Editing
    • Best Music - Original Score
    • Best Sound Design

    THE EDGE OF SEVENTEEN (2016)
    • Best Actress in a Lead Role - Comedy or Musical: Hailee Steinfeld

    EIGHTH (2018)
    • Best Screenplay - Original

    ENEMY (2014)
    • Best Film - Limited Theatrical Release


    EVERYTHING WILL BE OKAY (2015)
    • Best Live Action Short Film

    EX MACHINA (2015)
    • 2015 - Official Selection
    • Best Actress in a Supporting Role - Alicia Vikander
    • Best Screenplay: Original Material - Alex Garland
    • Best Visual Effects
    • Best Science Fiction Film


    FANTASTIC MR. FOX (2009)
    • Official Selection

    A FANTASTIC WOMAN (2017)
    • Best Foreign Language Film


    THE FAVOURITE (2018)
    • 2018 - Official Selection
    • Best Film - Comedy or Musical
    • Best Actress: Comedy or Musical - Olivia Colman

    FEAST (2014)
    • Best Animated Short Film


    FENCES (2016)
    • Best Actress in a Lead Role - Drama: Viola Davis

    THE FIGHTER (2010)
    • Top Ten Film of 2010
    • Best Actor in a Supporting Role - Christian Bale
    • Best Actress in a Supporting Role - Amy Adams

    FIRST MAN (2018)
    • Best Film Editing

    FIRST REFORMED (2018)
    • Best Actor: Drama - Ethan Hawke


    THE FLORIDA PROJECT (2017)
    • Best Limited Theatrical Release Film

    FROZEN (2013)
    • Best Film - Animated Feature

    FRUITVALE STATION (2013)
    • 2013 - Official Selection

    FURIOUS 7 (2015)
    • Best Music - Original Song: "See You Again"


    GET OUT (2017)
    • 2017 - Official Selection
    • Best Horror or Thriller Film

    THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO (2009)
    • Official Selection


    THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO (2011)
    • Best Film Editing

    GONE GIRL (2014)
    • 2014 - Official Selection
    • Best Actress in a Leading Role - Rosamund Pike
    • Best Screenplay: Adapted or Historical Material - Gillian Flynn


    THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL (2014)
    • 2014 - Official Selection
    • Best Ensemble Cast
    • Best Comedy Film


    GRAVITY (2013)
    • 2013 - Official Selection
    • Best Film of the Year
    • Best Actress in a Lead Role - Sandra Bullock (tie)
    • Best Director - Alfonso Cuaron
    • Best Film Editing
    • Best Visual Effects
    • Best Music - Original Score
    • Best Sound Design


    GREEN ROOM (2016)
    • Best Actor in a Supporting Role - Patrick Stewart
    • Best Horror or Thriller Film

    GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY (2014)
    • 2014 - Official Selection
    • Best Visual Effects
    • Best Make-Up Effects
    • Best Music - Soundtrack Compilation
    • Best Voice Acting Performance - Bradley Cooper


    HACKSAW RIDGE (2016)
    • Best Stunts/Stunt Choreography

    HAIL, CAESAR (2016)
    • 2016 - Official Selection
    • Best Ensemble
    • Best Production Design


    THE HANDMAIDEN (2016)
    • 2016 - Official Selection
    • Best Foreign Language Film

    THE HANGOVER (2009)
    • Best Comedy Film

    HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART I (2010)
    • Best Make-Up Effects


    HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS: PART II (2011)
    • Top Ten Film of 2011
    • Best Fantasy Film

    HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE (2009)
    • Best Cinematography
    • Best Music - Original Score
    • Best Fantasy Film

    THE HATEFUL EIGHT (2015)
    • Best Ensemble
    • Best Cinematography - Robert Richardson

    HELIUM (2013)
    • Best Film - Live Action Short


    HELL OR HIGH WATER (2016)
    • 2016 - Official Selection

    HER (2013)
    • 2013 - Official Selection
    • Best Screenplay: Original Material - Spike Jonze
    • Best Music - Original Song: "The Moon Song"
    • Special Achievement - Best Voice Acting: Scarlett Johannson

    HEREDITARY (2018)
    • 2018 - Official Selection
    • Best Actress: Drama - Toni Collette 
    • Best Horror or Thriller Film

    THE HOBBIT: THE DESOLATION OF SMAUG (2013)
    • Best Make-Up Effects
    • Best Genre Film - Fantasy

    HOLY MOTORS (2012)
    • Best Fantasy Film

    HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON (2010)
    • Top Ten Film of 2010
    • Best Fantasy Film


    HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON 2 (2014)
    • Best Fantasy Film

    HUGO (2011)

    • Top Ten Film of 2011


    THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE (2013)
    • Best Visual Design


    THE HURT LOCKER (2009)
    • Official Selection
    • Best Film Editing


    I, TONYA (2017)
    • Best Actress in a Supporting Role - Allison Janey


    ICARUS (2017)
    • Best Documentary

    IDA (2014)
    • Best Film - Foreign Language Feature
    • Best Cinematography


    IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK (2018)
    • 2018 - Official Selection
    • Best Film - Drama
    • Best Supporting Actress - Regina King
    • Best Music - Original Score

    INCEPTION (2010)
    • Best Film of the Year
    • Top Ten Film of 2010
    • Best Director - Christopher Nolan
    • Best Screenplay (Original Material) - Christopher Nolan
    • Best Film Editing - Lee Smith
    • Best Visual Effects
    • Best Stunts
    • Best Musical Score - Hans Zimmer
    • Best Science Fiction Film

    INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS (2009)
    • Official Selection
    • Best Film of the Year
    • Best Director - Quentin Tarantino
    • Best Actor in a Supporting Role - Christoph Waltz
    • Best Actress in a Supporting Role - Melanie Laurent
    • Best Ensemble
    • Best Screenplay - Original Material
    • Best Soundtrack
    • Best Action/Adventure Film

    INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS (2013)
    • 2013 - Official Selection

    INSIDE OUT (2015)
    • 2015 - Official Selection
    • Best Film - Animated Feature
    • Best Voice Acting Performance - Amy Poehler as "Joy"

    INSIDIOUS (2010)
    • Best Horror Film

    THE INTERRUPTERS (2011)
    • Best Documentary Feature


    INTERSTELLAR (2014)
    • 2014 - Official Selection
    • Best Music - Original Score
    • Best Science Fiction Film


    IT FOLLOWS (2015)
    • Best Music: Original Score - Disasterpiece
    • Best Horror/Thriller Film

    THE KING'S SPEECH (2010)
    • Top Ten Film of 2010
    • Best Actor in a Leading Role - Colin Firth


    LA LA LAND (2016)
    • 2016 - Official Selection
    • Best Film of the Year - Comedy or Musical
    • Best Director - Damian Chazalle 
    • Best Sound Design


    LADY BIRD (2017)
    • 2017 - Official Selection

    THE LEGEND OF BEAVER DAM (2010)
    • Best Short Film - Live Action


    THE LEGO MOVIE (2014)
    • Best Film - Animated Feature
    • Best Music: Original Song - "Everything is Awesome" 

    LES MISÉRABLES (2012)
    • Best Actress in a Supporting Role
    • Best Visual Design


    LIFE ITSELF (2014)
    • Best Film - Documentary Feature

    LIFE OF PI (2012)
    • 2012 - Official Selection
    • Best Visual Effects


    LINCOLN (2012)
    • Best Actor in a Lead Role - Daniel Day-Lewis

    LOGAN (2017)
    • 2017 - Official Selection
    • Best Actor in a Lead Role - Drama: Hugh Jackman
    • Best Screenplay - Adapted Material
    • Best Action/Adventure Film

    LOOPER (2012)
    • 2012 - Official Selection

    MAD MAX: FURY ROAD (2015)
    • 2015 - Official Selection
    • Best Film of the Year
    • Best Director - George Miller
    • Best Costumes
    • Best Stunts/Stunt Choreography
    • Best Make-Up
    • Best Sound Design
    • Best Action/Adventure Film

    MANCHESTER BY THE SEA (2016)
    • 2016 - Official Selection
    • Best Film of the Year - Drama
    • Best Actor in a Lead Role - Drama: Casey Affleck

    THE MARTIAN (2015)
    • 2015 - Official Selection
    • Best Screenplay: Adapted or Historical Material - Drew Goddard


    THE MESSENGER (2009)
    • Best Film - Limited Theatrical Release

    MIDNIGHT IN PARIS (2011)
    • Top Ten Film of 2011
    • Best Screenplay: Original Material - Woody Allen


    MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - FALLOUT (2018)

    • Best Stunts/Stunt Choreography


    MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - GHOST PROTOCOL (2011)
    • Best Stunts/Stunt Choreography

    MOANA (2016)
    • 2016 - Official Selection
    • Best Animated Feature Film

    MONEYBALL (2011)
    • Top Ten Film of 2011
    • Best Screenplay: Adapted Material - Steve Zaillian, Aaron Sorkin

    MOON (2009)
    • Official Selection
    • Best Actor in a Leading Role - Sam Rockwell
    • Best Science Fiction Film
    • Best Voice Actor - Kevin Spacey


    MOONLIGHT (2016)
    • 2016 - Official Selection
    • Best Actress in a Supporting Role - Naomi Harris

    MOONRISE KINGDOM (2012)
    • 2012 - Official Selection
    • Best Comedy


    MR. HUBLOT (2013)
    • Best Film - Animated Short

    MY WEEK WITH MARILYN (2011)
    • Best Actress in a Leading Role - Michelle Williams


    NEBRASKA (2013)
    • 2013 - Official Selection


    THE NEON DEMON (2016)
    • Best Cinematography

    NEVER SLEEP AGAIN: THE ELM STREET LEGACY (2010)
    • Best Documentary


    NIGHTCRAWLER (2014)
    • 2014 - Official Selection
    • Best Actress in a Supporting Role - Rene Russo
    • Best Screenplay: Original Material - Dan Gilroy


    NOCTURNAL ANIMALS (2016)
    • Best Music - Original Score

    O.J.: MADE IN AMERICA (2016)
    • Best Documentary

    PAPERMAN (2012)
    • Best Film - Animated Short


    PARTLY CLOUDY (2009)
    • Best Film - Animated Short


    PHANTOM THREAD (2009)
    • Best Costume Design

    PHOENIX (2015)
    • Best Film - Foreign Language Feature

    THE PHONE CALL (2014)
    • Best Live Action Short Film


    PIPER (2016)
    • Best Animated Short Film

    PRISONERS (2013)
    • Best Cinematography - Roger Deakins

    A QUIET PLACE (2018)
    • 2018 - Official Selection
    • Best Sound Design

    THE RAID: REDEMPTION (2011)
    • Best Action/Adventure Film

    THE RAID 2 (2014)
    • 2014 - Official Selection
    • Best Stunts and Stunt Choreography
    • Best Action/Adventure Film

    RED STATE (2011)
    • Special Achievement - Pioneering new distribution model


    RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES (2011)
    • Best Visual Effects
    • Special Achievement - Andy Serkis (also for The Adventures of Tin Tin)


    ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY (2016)
    • Best Costumes
    • Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Film
    • Best Performance in a Voice Acting Role


    ROMA (2018)
    • 2018 - Official Selection
    • Breakthrough Performance - Yalitza Aparicio
    • Best Independent or Limited Release Film


    ROOM (2015)
    • 2015 - Official Selection
    • Best Actress in a Leading Role - Brie Larson

    RUSH (2013)
    • Best Stunts/Stunt Choreography


    SCOTT PILGRIM VS THE WORLD (2010)
    • Best Comedy Film


    THE SECRET IN THEIR EYES (2009)
    • Official Selection
    • Best Screenplay - Adapted or Historical Material
    • Best Foreign Film

    SELMA (2014)
    • 2014 - Official Selection

    A SEPARATION (2011)
    • Best Foreign Film


    A SERIOUS MAN (2009)
    • Official Selection

    SHAME (2011)
    • Top Ten Film of 2011
    • Best Actor in a Leading Role - Michael Fassbender
    • Best Actress in a Supporting Role - Carey Mulligan


    THE SHAPE OF WATER (2017)
    • 2017 - Official Selection
    • Best Film of the Year - Drama
    • Best Actress in a Lead Role: Drama - Sally Hawkins
    • Best Ensemble
    • Best Make Up
    • Best Science Fiction or Fantasy Film

    SHERLOCK HOLMES (2009)
    • Best Stunts/Stunt Choreography

    SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK (2012)
    • Best Screenplay: Adapted Material - David O. Russell


    SING STREET (2016)
    • 2016 - Official Selection
    • Best Music - Original Song: "Drive it Like You Stole It"
    • Best Music - Soundtrack

    SKYFALL (2012)
    • 2012 - Official Selection
    • Best Cinematography - Roger Deakins
    • Best Music - Original Song - "Skyfall" by Adele
    • Best Action/Adventure Film

    SMALL FRY (2011)

    • Special Achievement - Animated Short Film


    SNOWPIERCER (2014)
    • Best Visual Design

    THE SOCIAL NETWORK (2010)
    • Top Ten Film of 2010
    • Best Screenplay (Adapted Material) - Aaron Sorkin

    SORRY TO BOTHER YOU (2018)
    • Best Actor: Comedy/Musical - Lakeith Stanfield 

    SPIDER-MAN INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE (2018)
    • 2018 - Official Selection
    • Best Animated Feature

    SPOTLIGHT (2015)
    • 2015 - Official Selection
    • Best Actor in a Leading Role - Mark Ruffalo

    A STAR IS BORN (2018)
    • 2018 - Official Selection
    • Best Director - Bradley Cooper
    • Best Music - Original Song - "Shallow"
    • Best Music - Song Score or Soundtrack

    STAR TREK (2009)
    • Best Visual Design
    • Best Sound Design
    • Best Make-Up


    STAR TREK BEYOND (2016)
    • Best Make-Up

    STAR TREK INTO DARKNESS (2013)
    • Best Genre Film - Science Fiction

    STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS (2015)
    • 2015 - Official Selection
    • Best Production Design
    • Best Fantasy Film

    STRAIGHT OUTTA COMPTON (2015)
    • Best Music - Soundtrack Compilation

    SUPER 8 (2011)

    • Top Ten Film of 2011
    • Best Music - Score


    SWISS ARMY MAN (2016)
    • Best Actor in a Lead Role - Comedy or Musical: Daniel Radcliffe

    THOR (2011)

    • Best Visual Design


    THE TOWN (2010)

    • Top Ten Film of 2010


    TOY STORY 3 (2010)

    • Top Ten Film of 2010
    • Best Animated Feature Film


    THE TREE OF LIFE (2011)

    • Top Ten Film of 2011
    • Best Film of the Year
    • Best Director - Terrence Malick
    • Best Film Editing


    TRON: LEGACY (2010)

    • Best Visual Design 
    • Best Soundtrack - Daft Punk
    • Best Sound Design


    TRUE GRIT (2010)

    • Top Ten Film of 2010
    • Best Actress in a Leading Role - Hailee Steinfeld
    • Best Ensemble Cast


    UP (2009)
    • Official Selection
    • Best Animated Feature Film

    UPSTREAM COLOR (2013)
    • Best Film - Limited Theatrical Release


    VICE (2018)
    • Best Make-Up & Hair

    WEEKEND (2011)

    • Best Film - Limited Theatrical Release


    WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS (2015)
    • Best Comedy

    WHIPLASH (2014)
    • 2014 - Official Selection
    • Best Actor in a Supporting Role - JK Simmons
    • Best Sound Design

    WIDOWS (2018)
    • Best Ensemble - Viola Davis, Michelle Rodriguez, Elizabeth Debicki, Cynthia Erivo, Colin Farrell, Brian Tyree Henry, Daniel Kaluuya, Jacki Weaver, Carrie Coon, Robert Duvall, Liam Neeson, Lukas Haas

    THE WITCH (2016)
    • Best Screenplay - Original Material
    • Best Limited Theatrical Release Film

    THE WOLF OF WALL STREET (2013)
    • 2013 - Official Selection
    • Best Comedy Film


    WON'T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR? (2018)
    • Best Documentary

    WONDER WOMAN (2017)
    • 2017 - Official Selection
    • Best Blockbuster Film


    WORLD OF TOMORROW (2015)
    • Best Animated Short Film

    WRECK-IT RALPH (2012)
    • Best Film - Animated Feature



    X-MEN: FIRST CLASS (2011)
    • Best Make-Up Effects
    • Best Science Fiction Film

    YOUR NAME (2017)
    • 2017 - Official Selection

    ZERO DARK THIRTY (2012)
    • 2012 - Official Selection
    • Best Film of the Year
    • Best Sound Design


    ZOMBIELAND (2009)
    • Best Horror Film