In 2002, a group of Seattle film professionals, enthusiasts, teachers, and critics formed Parallax View, a small film society whose goal was to champion the cause of film literacy, foster public discussion of the place of movies in society, and promote the serious, sometimes delirious cause of film as art. Founding members included (in alphabetical order) Sean Axmaker, Sheila Benson, Bob Cumbow, Kathy Fennessy, Gillian Gaar, Shannon Gee, Robert Horton, Richard T. Jameson, Tom Keogh, Kathleen Murphy, Paula Nechak, Bruce Reid, Jeff Shannon, Keith Simanton and Andy Spletzer. The annual Seattle Film Critics Awards was created by Parallax View, which polled a select group of leading film critics from the Seattle area. The Seattle Film Critics Awards were given out in 2002, 2003 and 2004 and the results were reported in Entertainment Weekly, Variety and The Hollywood Reporter as well as the Seattle Times, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and other national and regional publications.
Here is a list of the winner by year. Follow the links to the original press releases for more details, runners-up and a list of critics polled in each year.
2002 (see press release)
Best Picture
Far From Heaven
Best Director
Todd Haynes, Far From Heaven
Best Actress
Julianne Moore, Far From Heaven
Best Actor
Daniel Day-Lewis, Gangs of New York
Best Supporting Actress
Bebe Neuwirth, Tadpole
Best Supporting Actor
Chris Cooper, Adaptation
Original Screenplay
Far From Heaven, Todd Haynes
Adapted Screenplay
The Hours, David Hare
Documentary
The Kid Stays in the Picture
Foreign-Language Film
Y Tu Mama Tambien
Cinematography
Far From Heaven, Edward Lachman
Music
Far From Heaven, Elmer Bernstein
Editing
Femme Fatale, Bill Pankow
Production Design
Gangs of New York, Dante Ferretti
Living Treasure
Maureen O’Hara
Mentions in the press: Variety, BBC, Movie City News, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, People
2003 (see press release)
Best Picture
American Splendor
Best Director
Sofia Coppola, Lost in Translation
Best Actor
Bill Murray, Lost in Translation
Best Actress
Hope Davis, American Splendor
Best Supporting Actor
Sean Astin, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Best Supporting Actress
Marcia Gay Harden, Mystic River
Original Screenplay
Lost in Translation, Sofia Coppola
Adapted Screenplay
American Splendor, Shari Springer Berman, Robert Pulcini
Documentary
Capturing the Friedmans
Animated Film
The Triplets of Belleville
Foreign-Language Film
The Man on the Train
Cinematography
The Lord of the Rings: Â The Return of the King, Andrew Lesnie
Music
A Mighty Wind, songs by Christopher Guest, John Michael Higgins, Eugene Levy, Michael McKean, Catherine O’Hara, Annette O’Toole, Harry Shearer, Jeffrey C.J. Vanston
Living Treasure
Christopher Lee
Special Citation for Film Restoration
Rialto Pictures
Mentions in the press: Entertainment Weekly, Movie City News, Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Seattle Times
2004 (see press release)
Best Picture
Million Dollar Baby
Best Director
Clint Eastwood, Million Dollar Baby
Best Actor
Jamie Foxx, Ray
Best Actress
Imelda Staunton, Vera Drake
Best Supporting Actor
Thomas Haden Church, Sideways
Best Supporting Actress
Virginia Madsen, Sideways
Original Screenplay
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Charlie Kaufman
Adapted Screenplay
Sideways, Alexander Payne, Jim Taylor
Documentary
(tie) Control Room and Touching the Void
Foreign-Language Film
Maria Full of Grace
Animated Film
The Incredibles
Cinematography
Hero, Christopher Doyle
Music
The Aviator, Howard Shore
Living Treasure
Henry Bumstead
Special Citation
Richard Schickel and Brian Jamieson, The Big Red One
Mentions in the press: Movie City News, Seattle Times, Static Multimedia