In an exciting event, the National Society of Film Critics (NSFC) has revealed its picks for the best films and performances of 2023. The highly respected society, consisting of over 60 prominent critics from across the country, deliberated over the finest achievements in cinema from the past year.

The top honor of Best Picture was awarded to "Past Lives," a film that captivated audiences with its compelling storytelling and impressive artistic vision. The runners-up in this category included "The Zone of Interest" and "Oppenheimer."

Director Jonathan Glazer was recognized as the Best Director for his exceptional work on "The Zone of Interest," while Todd Haynes for "May December" and Christopher Nolan for "Oppenheimer" received honorable mentions.

Andrew Scott stood out among his peers, winning the coveted title of Best Actor for his captivating performance in "All of Us Strangers." Notable mentions in this category went to Jeffrey Wright for "American Fiction" and Cillian Murphy for "Oppenheimer."

Sandra Hüller showcased her remarkable talent and versatility by securing the award for Best Actress for her outstanding performances in both "Anatomy of a Fall" and "The Zone of Interest." Emma Stone for "Poor Things" and Lily Gladstone for "Killers of the Flower Moon" were praised as runners-up in this category.

Da'Vine Joy Randolph's powerful portrayal in "The Holdovers" earned her the award for Best Supporting Actress. Penélope Cruz in "Ferrari" and Rachel McAdams in "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret" received honorable mentions for their remarkable performances.

The writing categories were fiercely competitive, with Samy Burch winning the award for Best Screenplay for the thought-provoking "May December." Runners-up in this category were Celine Song for "Past Lives" and David Hemingson for "The Holdovers."

Outstanding cinematography was acknowledged with Rodrigo Prieto receiving the award for Best Cinematography for his work on "Killers of the Flower Moon." Łukasz Żal for "The Zone of Interest" and Hoyte van Hoytema for "Oppenheimer" were recognized as notable runners-up.

In addition to these awards, the NSFC also acknowledged Jean Luc-Godard's "Trailer of a Film That Will Never Exist: Phony Wars" as the Best Experimental Film. Furthermore, special film heritage awards were bestowed upon Criterion Channel for its exceptional film selection and Facets, Kim's Video, Scarecrow Video, and Vidiots for maintaining extensive film libraries accessible to the general public.

It is worth mentioning that the NSFC considered any film released in theaters or on streaming platforms in the U.S. during 2023 for awards consideration.

As the NSFC continues to recognize and celebrate the best of cinema each year, the winners and nominees from 2023 have undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the industry. These talented individuals and their remarkable works have enriched the cinematic landscape and resonate with audiences around the globe.