PFCS 2006 film awards announced

PHOENIX FILM CRITICS SOCIETY ANNOUNCES 2006 AWARD WINNERS!

Phoenix, AZ (December 19, 2006) – The Phoenix Film Critics Society (PFCS) is proud to announce their award winners for 2006 and the list of their Top 10 films.

Taking top honors for Best Picture this year is Universal Pictures' "United 93," with "Casino Royale" receiving the second ever Best Stunts award.

"The Departed" and "Little Miss Sunshine" dominate the Seventh annual awards with both films taking best screenplay awards and Martin Scorsese being named Best Director. Jack Nicholson is taking home the Best Supporting Actor award for "The Departed" while "Little Miss Sunshine" collects Best Acting Ensemble and Best Performance by a Youth - Female for Abigail Breslin.

Proving that acting is in the genes Will Smith's son Jaden was named Best Youth Actor – Male for his performance in “Pursuit of Happyness.” Other big winners included Forest Whitaker as Best Actor in "The Last King of Scotland", Helen Mirren Best Actress in "The Queen" and Cate Blanchett wins Best Supporting Actress for her performance in "Notes On A Scandal".

Jennifer Hudson had her breakout performance co-starring in "Dreamgirls" while Emilio Estevez had his breakout performance behind the camera directing “Bobby.”
"Letters From Iwo Jima" was named Best Foreign Language Film, "An Inconvenient Truth", Al Gore's warning on global warming was "Best Documentary", "Flushed Away" Best Animated Film and "Charlotte's Web" Best Live Action Family Film.

The Phoenix Film Critics Society (PFCS), founded in 2000, is comprised of recognized Valley critics who review regularly for Phoenix area print and broadcast outlets. Current members include: David Ramsey, KMLE-FM/KNXV-TV/Arizona Player Magazine, President; Roger Tennis, CLIPS TV Series, Vice President; Frances Rimsza, Foothills Focus/Gear Chatter, Treasurer; Gayle Bass, KTAR-AM, Secretary; Michael Dixon, KTAR-AM, Director; Neil Cohen, Echo Magazine; George Grorud, Java Monthly; Bill Muller, The Arizona Republic; Kathy Cano-Murillo, The Arizona Republic; Richard Nilsen, The Arizona Republic; Scott Craven, The Arizona Republic; Randy Cordova, The Arizona Republic; Craig Outhier, The Tribune Newspapers; Arne Williams, Arizona Informant; Andy Hill, The Ahwatukee Foothills News; Colin Boyd, KZON-FM/College Times; Michael Clawson, West Valley View; Kris Mason, Nearby News; David Tell, The Midtown Messenger; Mark Moorehead, Tempe/Chandler Wrangler News; Jim Ferguson, KGUN-TV/TV Guide Network; Randy Montgomery, Xpoz Magazine/Greensheet; M. V. Moorhead, Wrangler News; Sharon Stenger, Foothills Focus; “Hollywood” Dave Sozinho, KTAR-AM/KRZS-FM; Phil Villarreal, Arizona Daily Star; Jamise Liddell, Arizona Christian News; Lisa Fuller-Magee, KTVK-TV; Stan Robinson, Sonik Magazine; Steven Gregory, Clear Channel Radio.

The complete list of Seventh Annual Phoenix Film Critics Society Award winners:

Best Picture
United 93

Top Ten Films (In Alphabetical Order)
Babel
Bobby
Borat
Children of Men
The Departed
The Last King of Scotland
Letters From Iwo Jima
Little Miss Sunshine
The Queen
United 93

Best Director
Martin Scorsese - The Departed

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role
Forest Whitaker - The Last King of Scotland

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role
Helen Mirren - The Queen

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
Jack Nicholson - The Departed

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role
Cate Blanchett - Notes On A Scandal

Best Ensemble Acting
Little Miss Sunshine

Best Screenplay written directly for the screen
Little Miss Sunshine

Best Screenplay adapted from another medium
The Departed

Best Live Action Family Film
Charlotte's Web

Overlooked Film of the Year
Hard Candy

Best Animated Film
Flushed Away

Best Foreign Language Film
Letters From Iwo Jima

Best Documentary
An Inconvenient Truth

Best Use of Music
Dreamgirls

Best Cinematography
Apocalypto

Best Film Editing
The Departed

Best Production Design
Marie Antoinette

Best Costume Design
Marie Antoinette

Best Visual Effects
Superman Returns

Best Stunts
Casino Royale

Breakout Performance of the Year - On Screen
Jennifer Hudson - Dreamgirls

Breakout Performance of the Year - Behind the Camera
Emilio Estevez - Bobby

Best Performance by a Youth in a Lead or Supporting Role - Male
Jaden Smith - Pursuit of Happyness

Best Performance by a Youth in a Lead or Supporting Role - Female
Abigail Breslin - Little Miss Sunshine