The Houston Film Critics Society named ‘Nomadland’ the Best Picture of 2020 along with Best Director honors for Chloé Zhao and Best Cinematography for Joshua James Richards. The Society honored Taiwan’s ‘A Sun’ as Best Foreign Language Film and ‘My Octopus Teacher’ as Best Documentary.

Riz Ahmed was named Best Actor for his riveting portrayal of a heavy metal musician battling hearing loss in ‘Sound of Metal’, while Carey Mulligan received Best Actress honors for her remarkable study of revenge in ‘Promising Young Woman’.

“While 2020 may have seen changes in how we view movies, the year should be remembered for the quality of those films that ultimately reached audiences,” observed Society president Doug Harris. “It may have been a bit tougher to see some of these remarkable films, but the wait and the effort were worth it. And that’s the message our Society members take to their listeners, viewers and readers.”

2020 Houston Film Critics Society Awards

Best Picture
“Nomadland”

Best Director
Chloé Zhao, “Nomadland”

Best Actor in a Leading Role
Riz Ahmed, “Sound of Metal”

Best Actress in a Leading Role
Carey Mulligan, “Promising Young Woman”

Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Leslie Odom Jr., “One Night in Miami”

Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Maria Bakalova, “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm”

Best Original Screenplay
“Promising Young Woman”

Best Animated Feature
“Soul”

Best Cinematography
“Nomadland”

Best Documentary Feature
“My Octopus Teacher”

Best Foreign Language Feature
“A Sun” (Taiwan)

Best Original Score
“Soul”

Best Original Song
“Speak Now” from “One Night in Miami”

Best Visual Effects
“Tenet”

Best Stunt Coordination Team
“Tenet”

Best Movie Poster Art
“Da 5 Bloods”

Outstanding Cinematic Achievement
“Sound of Metal” (for its Immersive Sound Design)