The Seattle Film Critics Society (SFCS), founded by Michael Ward, is represented by 40 members in print, radio, television and online mediums who live and work in the greater Seattle area. Established in 2016, the society is dedicated to supporting local productions and festivals, enhancing public education, awareness, and appreciation of cinema, and strengthening the bonds of critical dialogue as it pertains to the cinematic arts. They seek to highlight the best films produced each year–both by the major studios and independent filmmakers–and share their love of cinema with Seattle-area residents. The SFCS formalizes an already robust network of film critics and reviewers in Seattle and surrounding areas of Washington state. The society also presents an annual awards announcement, honoring the best achievements in film, nominated and selected by all active members of the society.
In 2023, the category "Achievement in Pacific Northwest Filmmaking" was introduced to specifically honor Pacific Northwest filmmaking. The award is meant to celebrate the many talented filmmakers who call the region home and who produce work there. A nominating committee carefully considered a wide variety of feature films released during 2022 with strong connections to the region and selected five finalists. The winner was determined by a vote of the full membership and announced alongside the SFCS's other awards on January 17, 2023.
Members
Board of Directors
President – Kathy Fennessy
Vice President – Thomas Stoneham-Judge
Treasurer – Steve Reeder
Secretary – Linda Gwilym
Awards Coordinator – Josh Bis
Membership Coordinator – Silas Lindenstein
Communications Director – Chase Hutchinson
Trustees – Taylor Baker, Ryan Bordow, and Michael Clawson
Our Members
Aaron White
Adam Gehrke
Allen Almachar
Brent McKnight
Brian Taibl ("Brian the Movie Guy") Calvin Kemph Candice McMillan Chase Hutchinson Collier Jennings David Chen Erik Samdahl Jas Keimig Joe Hammerschmidt That Guy Named John Josh Bis Justin Moore Kathy Fennessy Linda Gwilym Marc Morin Matt Lynch Matt Oakes Michael Clawson Michael Medved Mike Ward Morgen Schuler Paul Carlson Rene Sanchez Ryan Bordow Ryan Oliver Sara Michelle Fetters Sean Gilman Silas Lindenstein Steve Reeder Taylor Baker Thomas Stoneham-Judge Tim Hall Vaughn Swearingen Warren Cantrell
Emeritus Members
Moira Macdonald
Tom Tangney
Categories
Best Picture of the Year
Best Director
Best Actor in a Leading Role
Best Actress in a Leading Role
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Best Ensemble Cast
Best Action Choreography
Best Screenplay
Best Animated Feature
Best Documentary Feature
Best Film Not in the English Language
Best Cinematography
Best Costume Design
Best Film Editing
Best Original Score
Best Production Design
Best Visual Effects
Best Youth Performance
Villain of the Year
Achievement in Pacific Northwest Filmmaking
Ceremony information
2016 Seattle Film Critics Society Awards
2017 Seattle Film Critics Society Awards
2018 Seattle Film Critics Society Awards
2019 Seattle Film Critics Society Awards
2020 Seattle Film Critics Society Awards
2021 Seattle Film Critics Society Awards
2022 Seattle Film Critics Society Awards
Seattle Film Critics Society Award for Best Picture of the Year
Seattle Film Critics Society Award for Best Director
Seattle Film Critics Society Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role
Seattle Film Critics Society Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role
Seattle Film Critics Society Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Seattle Film Critics Society Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Seattle Film Critics Society Award for Best Ensemble Cast
Seattle Film Critics Society Award for Best Action Choreography
Seattle Film Critics Society Award for Best Screenplay
Seattle Film Critics Society Award for Best Animated Feature
Seattle Film Critics Society Award for Best Documentary Feature
Seattle Film Critics Society Award for Best Foreign Language Film/Film Not in the English Language/International Film