The Phoenix Critics Circle proudly announces nominees for its annual awards. Members have narrowed the films from 2015 to the top nominees in each category. Voting is underway for the winners and they will be announced on Wednesday, December 16th, 2015.
Best Picture
- Ex Machina
- Mad Max: Fury Road
- The Martian
- Room
- Spotlight
Best Comedy Film
- The Big Short
- Dope
- Joy
- Spy
- Trainwreck
Best Science Fiction Film
- Avengers: Age of Ultron
- Ex Machina
- Mad Max: Fury Road
- The Martian
Best Mystery or Thriller Film
- Bridge of Spies
- Sicario
- Spotlight
Best Animated Film
- Anomalisa
- Inside Out
- The Peanuts Movie
- Shaun the Sheep
Best International Film
- The Assassin
- White God
- Youth
Best Documentary
- Amy
- Best of Enemies
- Cartel Land
- He Named My Malala
- Listen to Me Marlon
Best Horror Film
- Bone Tomahawk
- Crimson Peak
- It Follows
- Unfriended
Best Musical
- Amy
- Pitch Perfect 2
- Straight Outta Compton
Best Actor
- Michael Caine, Youth
- Bryan Cranston, Trumbo
- Matt Damon, The Martian
- Leonardo DiCaprio, The Revenant
- Michael Fassbender, Steve Jobs
Best Actress
- Cate Blanchett, Carol
- Marion Cotillard, Macbeth
- Jennifer Lawrence, Joy
- Brie Larson, Room
- Saoirse Ronan, Brooklyn
Best Supporting Actor
- Tom Hardy, The Revenant
- Richard Jenkins, Bone Tomahawk
- Michael Keaton, Spotlight
- Mark Rylance, Bridge of Spies
- Michael Shannon, 99 Homes
- Sylvester Stallone, Creed
- Jacob Tremblay, Room
Best Supporting Actress
- Jennifer Jason Leigh, The Hateful Eight
- Alicia Vikander, The Danish Girl
- Alicia Vikander, Ex Machina
- Kate Winslet, Steve Jobs
Best Director
- Alex Garland, Ex Machina
- Alejandro Inarritu, The Revenant
- Tom McCarthy, Spotlight
- George Miller, Mad Max: Fury Road
- Ridley Scott, The Martian
- Quentin Tarantino, The Hateful Eight
Best Screenplay
- Matt Charman, Ethan Coen, Joel Coen, Bridge of Spies
- Alex Garland, Ex Machina
- Tom McCarthy, Josh Singer, Spotlight
- Charles Randolph, Adam McKay, The Big Short
- Aaron Sorkin, Steve Jobs
Best Score
- Tom Holkenborg aka Junkie XL, Mad Max: Fury Road
- Jóhann Jóhannsson, Sicario
- Ennio Morricone, The Hateful Eight
- Thomas Newman, Bridge of Spies
The Phoenix Critics Circle is established as an association for professional film critique and analysis. Administered by the non-profit Phoenix Film Foundation, the Phoenix Critics Circle is committed to the progression and preservation of film and is composed of print, television, radio and internet film critics from Arizona.