Exclusive: Will Smith, Bradley Cooper & More Attend the Annual National Board of Review Gala

On Tuesday, March 15, hundreds of filmmakers, actors, and film enthusiasts gathered for the annual National Board of Review Gala. 

The gala was held at Cipriani 42nd Street and hosted by the Today show’s Craig Melvin. The annual ceremony started in 1906 and continues to celebrate and support the cinema. The National Board of Review recognizes a vast selection of films that represent various categories. This year the groups included Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor and Actress, Best Original and Adapted Screenplay, Breakthrough Performance, and Directorial Debut. As well as their signature honors the Freedom of Expression Award and Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography. Many well-known actors, directors, producers, and screenwriters were in attendance to celebrate a night full of art and entertainment. 

Below is the list of the 2021 award recipients, announced by the National Board of Review:

Best Film: LICORICE PIZZA

Best Director: Paul Thomas Anderson, LICORICE PIZZA

Best Actor: Will Smith, KING RICHARD

 

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Best Actress: Rachel Zegler, WEST SIDE STORY

Best Supporting Actor: Ciarán Hinds, BELFAST

Best Supporting Actress: Aunjanue Ellis, KING RICHARD

 

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Best Original Screenplay: Asghar Farhadi, A HERO

Best Adapted Screenplay: Joel Coen, THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH

Breakthrough Performance: Alana Haim & Cooper Hoffman, LICORICE PIZZA

Best Directorial Debut: Michael Sarnoski, PIG 

Best Animated Feature: ENCANTO

 

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Best Foreign Language Film: A HERO

Best Documentary: SUMMER OF SOUL (…OR, WHEN THE REVOLUTION COULD NOT BE TELEVISED) 

Best Ensemble: THE HARDER THEY FALL 

 

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Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography: Bruno Delbonnel, THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH

NBR Freedom of Expression Award: FLEE

 

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Top Films (in alphabetical order)

Belfast 

Don’t Look Up 

Dune 

King Richard 

The Last Duel   

Nightmare Alley 

 

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Red Rocket 

The Tragedy of Macbeth

West Side Story

Top 5 Foreign Language Films (in alphabetical order)

Benedetta 

Lamb 

Lingui, The Sacred Bonds  

Titane 

The Worst Person in the World

 

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Top 5 Documentaries (in alphabetical order)

Ascension 

Attica 

Flee 

The Rescue 

Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain

Top 10 Independent Films (in alphabetical order)

The Card Counter 

C’mon C’mon  

CODA 

The Green Knight 

Holler 

Jockey 

Old Henry 

Pig 

Shiva Baby 

The Souvenir Part II