Los Angeles — The Los Angeles Film Critics Association recognized the standout talents of the year at its annual awards ceremony, crowning One Battle After Another as the best picture. The organization held its voting on Sunday, celebrating the year’s most exceptional films, performances, and technical accomplishments.

The Secret Agent took home the award for best film not in the English language while finishing as the runner-up for best picture. The event highlighted a diverse array of cinematic achievements, with Paul Thomas Anderson winning best director for One Battle After Another. Ryan Coogler was selected as the runner-up for his work on Sinners.

In the acting categories, Ethan Hawke and Rose Byrne were honored for their leading performances in Blue Moon and If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, respectively. Stellan Skarsgård earned recognition for supporting performance in Sentimental Value, while Teyana Taylor received the same accolade for her role in One Battle After Another.

Adolpho Veloso was lauded for his cinematography in Train Dreams, marking the first award of the evening. Hannah Beachler garnered the award for best production design for her work on Sinners, while best editing went to Ronald Bronstein and Josh Safdie for Marty Supreme. The award for best animation was claimed by Little Amélie or the Character of Rain, with KPop Demon Hunters as the runner-up.

A special citation was presented to Judy Kim, the owner of Gardena Cinema, recognized as a historic single-screen theater that has operated independently since 1976. The critics’ group previously announced Philip Kaufman as the recipient of the Career Achievement Award, honoring his influential career, which notably included shaping the Indiana Jones franchise.

LAFCA president Robert Abele praised Kaufman’s extensive contributions to cinema, describing him as a director who transcended conventional boundaries and explored complex themes across multiple genres. Kaufman’s work has set a standard for versatility and depth in American filmmaking, making him a deserving honoree.

This year’s awards continued a trend of gender-neutral categories, a move that represents a shift toward inclusivity in recognition of diverse talent. The association’s choice for best picture often aligns with the Academy Awards, as evidenced by last year’s win for Anora, which subsequently earned an Oscar nomination and victory.

Highlights of the winners included awards for best screenplay, which went to Jafar Panahi for It Was Just an Accident. Best documentary honors were awarded to My Undesirable Friends: Part I – Last Air in Moscow, while the Douglas Edwards Experimental Film Prize celebrated Albert Serra’s Afternoons of Solitude.

The evening celebrated both established talents and new voices in the industry, reinforcing the Los Angeles Film Critics Association’s commitment to recognizing innovative and impactful cinema.