KC Film Critics name “12 Years a Slave” 2013’s Best

Kansas City, MO —

The Kansas City Film Critics’ Circle, the oldest film critics’ association west of the Mississippi, held its 47^th annual awards vote on Sunday, December 15^th, 2013.

Thirty-two voting members from various broadcast, print and Internet outlets from the Kansas City metropolitan area cast their votes for the best in film for 2013.

“12 Years a Slave” was the big winner, earning the nod for Best Picture as well as Best Director for Steve McQueen (in a rare tie with Alfonso Cuarón for “Gravity”). Chiwetel Ejofor was named Best Actor for his leading role in the film and John Ridely received the nod for Best Adapted Screenplay. Michael Fassbender and Lupita Nyong’o received awards for their supporting performances.

Sandra Bullock was awarded the Best Actress prize for her work in Cuarón’s “Gravity.”

The Kansas City Film Critics’ Circle Awards are named the Loutzenhiser Awards in memory of the late Dr. James Loutzenhiser, founder of the organization.

The Vince Koehler Award for Best Science Fiction, Fantasy or Horror film is named in honor of the late Vince Koehler, a longtime member. The winner for 2013 is “Her.”

The Robert Altman Award for Best Director is named in honor of the famous filmmaker who was a Kansas City native.

The entire winners’ list:

-Best Film: 12 Years a Slave

-Robert Altman Award for Best Director – Tie: Alfonso Cuarón, Gravity & Steve McQueen, 12 Years a Slave

-Best Actor: Chiwetel Ejiofor, 12 Years a Slave

-Best Actress: Sandra Bullock, Gravity

-Best Supporting Actor: Michael Fassbender, 12 Years a Slave

-Best Supporting Actress: Lupita Nyong’o, 12 Years a Slave

-Best Original Screenplay: Spike Jonze, Her

-Best Adapted Screenplay: John Ridley, 12 Years a Slave

-Best Animated Film – Tie: Despicable Me 2, Frozen

-Best Foreign Language Film: Blue is the Warmest Color

-Best Documentary: The Act of Killing

-Vince Koehler Award for Best Science Fiction, Fantasy or Horror Film: Her

www.kcfcc.org