The diverse group of southeastern film critics (known as “SEFCA”) announced their awards this week. “Roma” led the list winning four awards including best film, best foreign-language film, best director, and best cinematography. This bodes well for Alfonso Cuarón, who wrote, directed and shot the movie himself. Look for multiple Oscar nominations for this fantastic and artful film that you can watch right now on Netflix.
“The Favourite” was the best film runner up, and also netted lead Olivia Colman the award for best actress. SEFCA voters were very high on “First Reformed,” giving Ethan Hawke the award for best actor, and giving director Paul Schrader notice as runner up in best original screenplay category.
In a surprise, the twin titans from “The Favourite,” awards frontrunners Rachel Weisz and Emma Stone, lost to Regina King for best supporting actress. Playing the matriarch of an African American family in 1970s New York City, King is the anchor of “If Beale Street Could Talk,” Barry Jenkins very deliberate and important follow-up to his Oscar winner “Moonlight.”
unlikely friends in “Green Book.”
In a move that divided critics, “Green Book” took home the esteemed Gene Wyatt award, given to a film that evokes the spirit of the South. Love it or hate it, that movie about two men from different backgrounds finding common ground and friendship while touring the Deep South in the 1960s resonated with southeastern critics meaningfully. With its feel-good theme and solid performances look for “Green Book” to capture the Academy’s notice when nominations are announced in January.
The complete list of winners appears below. For more information about SEFCA, visit the association’s website, where you can learn about members and review past year’s winners: https://www.sefca.net/
2018 SEFCA WINNERS
BEST FILM
ROMA
Runner-Up: The Favourite
TOP 10
1) ROMA
2) The Favourite
3) A Star Is Born
4) BlacKkKlansman
5) Vice
6) If Beale Street Could Talk
7) Green Book
8) First Reformed
9) Eighth Grade
10) Leave No Trace
BEST ACTOR
Ethan Hawke, First Reformed
Runner-Up: Christian Bale, Vice
BEST ACTRESS
Olivia Colman, The Favourite
Runner-Up: Lady Gaga, A Star Is Born
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Richard E. Grant, Can You Ever Forgive Me?
Runner-Up: Mahershala Ali, Green Book
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Winner: Regina King, If Beale Street Could Talk
Runner-Up: Rachel Weisz, The Favourite
BEST ENSEMBLE
Winner: The Favourite
Runners-Up (TIE): Vice / Black Panther
BEST DIRECTOR
Winner: Alfonso Cuaron, ROMA
Runner-Up: Bradley Cooper, A Star Is Born
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Winner: Deborah Davis and Tony McNamara, The Favourite
Runner-Up: Paul Schrader, First Reformed
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Charlie Wachtel & David Rabinowitz and Kevin Willmott & Spike Lee, BlacKkKlansman
Runner-Up: Nicole Holofcener and Jeff Whitty, Can You Ever Forgive Me?
BEST DOCUMENTARY
Won’t You Be My Neighbor?
Runner-Up: RBG
BEST FOREIGN-LANGUAGE FILM
ROMA
Runner-Up: Shoplifters
BEST ANIMATED FILM
Isle of Dogs
Runner-Up: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Alfonso Cuaron, ROMA
Runner-Up: Robbie Ryan, The Favourite
THE GENE WYATT AWARD FOR FILM THAT BEST EVOKES THE SPIRIT OF THE SOUTH
Green Book
Runner-Up: Blaze
