Seattle Film Critics Society

Seattle Film Critics Society Awards: Timeline and Eligibility

We look forward to honoring the best films, actors, and filmmakers of the year. The calendar for our 2026 awards is shown below:

Awards Timeline

  • Nomination viewing deadline: December 1
  • Nominees announced:  December 4
  • Final viewing deadline: December 12
  • Awards announced: December 14

Categories

Our awards honor the breadth of feature film with awards for the best in the following categories:

  • Best Picture
  • Director
  • Actor in a Leading Role
  • Actress in a Leading Role
  • Actor in a Supporting Role
  • Actress in a Supporting Role
  • Ensemble Cast
  • Screenplay
  • Animated Feature
  • Documentary Feature
  • International Film
    (Not in the English Language)
  • Cinematography
  • Costume Design
  • Film Editing
  • Original Score
  • Production Design
  • Visual Effects
  • Action Choreography
  • Youth Performance
    (18 years or younger upon start of filming)
  • Villain of the Year
  • Pacific Northwest Film

Eligibility

For eligibility purposes, a feature-length film is defined as any film with a running time in excess of 40 minutes.  

  1. Films must have received a regular (non-festival) theatrical run during the eligibility period (January 1 – December 31 2026) in:
    (a) The greater Seattle area; or
    (b) An Oscar-qualifying market (as specified in Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Rules and Eligibility section for the 99th Academy Awards) with:
    • (i) subsequent digital and/or VOD platform release, or
    • (ii) if screened for SFCS Members in a theater, via digital streaming link, or DVD/Blu-ray screener discs during the nomination period. Such screenings/screeners must be open to all members. 
  2. Films deemed eligible by The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for Animated Feature, Documentary Feature, and International Feature will also be eligible for awards consideration by the SFCS. 
  3. Nominees for Best PNW Film are eligible for consideration in all categories.

Films may qualify for SFCS awards consideration in multiple years, but may only be nominated in one year (e.g., a film qualifying via Rule 2 in 2025 that was not nominated for awards may also qualify via Rule 1 in 2026).

Best Pacific Northwest Film

The SFCS Board convenes nominating committees for the Pacific Northwest Awards.

Short Film and Feature Film committees consider both documentary and narrative films for these  awards, with a focus on those whose primary production was in the Pacific Northwest: specifically in Washington, Oregon, or Idaho (USA).

All traditionally eligible feature films are available for consideration. Films may additionally qualify via presentation at the Seattle International Film Festival, the Local Sightings Film Festival, or other festivals deemed appropriate by the Board.

The nominating committees will present a slate of PNW feature and short film nominees to the full membership no later than one month prior to the SFCS general awards nomination deadline. Nominees for Best Pacific Northwest Feature are automatically eligible for other SFCS feature film awards. 

The winners of the Best Pacific Northwest Film Awards will be decided by a vote of the full SFCS membership.

For additional information and updates, see Pacific Northwest Award page.

John Hartl Pacific Northwest Spotlight

As part of our annual awards highlighting the best in film, the Seattle Film Critics Society (SFCS) has added an award to specifically honor the outstanding work of a person with local ties to the region.

The John Hartl Pacific Northwest Spotlight award is named in honor of John Hartl, the late Seattle Times film critic whose legacy remains a beacon in the region and beyond when it comes to writing about film. The SFCS Board may present the award annually to acknowledge an exceptional body of work, rather than a single film or performance.

Previous recipients include Lily Gladstone, Kyle MacLachlan, and Sky Hopinka.