The Washington D.C. Area critics were over the moon for La La Land, handing the film a staggering 7 awards. This is the first blow-out the film has received this season and suggests it will be a much stronger player than previously thought. Natalie Portman and Viola Davis notch their first wins on what is likely to be a strong showing for the two. I suspect that three, or even four, of these acting winners will carry over to the Oscars. Matter of fact, I’m tempted to call it now: this is the group that will best match the Oscars this year. Also, kudos to Kubo as it picks up its first major trophy of the season. I hope it’s more. Apart from Zootopia, the two other winners, The Red Turtle and Your Name. aren’t the kinds of films the Academy tends to recognize in Best Animated Feature, so as many wins as Kubo can muster could help it win an Oscar.

Award Tallies

(7) La La Land
(2) Jackie, Manchester by the Sea

The Awards

Best Film

La La Land

Best Animated Feature

Kubo and the Two Strings

Best Director

Damien Chazelle – La La Land

Best Actor

Casey Affleck – Manchester by the Sea

Best Actress

Natalie Portman – Jackie

Best Supporting Actor

Mahershala Ali – Moonlight

Best Supporting Actress

Viola Davis – Fences

Best Original Screenplay

La La Land

Best Adapted Screenplay

Arrival

Best Original Score

La La Land

Best Editing

La La Land

Best Cinematography

La La Land

Best Production Design

La La Land

Best Foreign Language Film

Elle

Best Documentary

13th

Best Ensemble

Hell or High Water

Best Youth Performance

Lucas Hedges – Manchester by the Sea

Best Portrayal of DC

Jackie

Best Voice Performance

Liam Neeson – A Monster Calls

Best Motion Capture Performance

Mark Rylance – the BFG

Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Data

Year Founded: 2002
First Awards: 2002 (15)