‘The Power of the Dog’ tops Alliance of Women Film Journalists winners

The Alliance of Women Film Journalists (AWFJ) has announced the 2021 AWFJ EDA winners in gendered and non-gendered categories and across both Jane Campion’s The Power of the Dog was the clear winner. It was named Best Film along with wins for Campion for Best Director and Adapted Screenplay, Benedict Cumberbatch for Best Actor, Kirsten Dunst for Best Supporting Actress and Kodi Smit-McPhee for Best Supporting Actor.

“Although our beloved film industry was plagued by the pandemic, 2021 turned out to be a rather magnificent year for movies — especially for films made by and about women,” said AWFJ president Jennifer Merin. “We at the Alliance of Women Film Journalists are delighted to note that last year’s crop of brilliant femme-helmed and femme-centric films are getting the awards recognition they deserve — as shown in our list of EDA Award winners, and in films and talent on our roster of nominees, as well as in awards presented by other film critics’ groups.”

Olivia Colman was named Best Actress for The Lost Daughter while Belfast won Original Screenplay. The group famously (or infamously) also “awards” films and actresses in categories like the She Deserves A New Agent Award (this year going to Melissa McCarthy for The Starling), Most Egregious Lovers’ Age Difference Award, going to Daniel Craig and Lea Seydoux in No Time to Die and their annual AWFJ Hall of Shame Award, this year condemning the producers, crew and cast of Rust for not following proper safety protocol and causing the tragic death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

Here is the complete list of winners.

AWFJ Best of Awards

(These awards are presented to women and/or men without gender consideration)

Best Film: The Power of the Dog

Best Director: Jane Campion, The Power of the Dog

Best Actress: Olivia Colman, The Lost Daughter
Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Kirsten Dunst, The Power of the Dog
Best Actor: Benedict Cumberbatch, The Power of the Dog
Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Kodi Smit-McPhee, The Power of the Dog

Best Screenplay, Original: Kenneth Branagh, Belfast
Best Screenplay, Adapted: Jane Campion, The Power of the Dog

Best Animated Film (tie): Encanto & The Mitchells vs. the Machines
Best Documentary (tie) Flee & Summer of Soul
Best Non-English-language Film: Drive My Car

Best Ensemble Cast – Casting Director: The Power of the Dog – Nikki Barrett, Tina Cleary, Carmen Cuba, Nina Gold

Best Cinematography: Ari Wegner, The Power of the Dog
Best Editing: Peter Sciberras, The Power of the Dog

EDA Female Focus Awards

Best Woman Director: Jane Campion, The Power of the Dog
Best Woman Screenwriter: Jane Campion, The Power of the Dog

Best Animated Female: Mirabel, Stephanie Beatriz – Encanto

Best Woman’s Breakthrough Performance: Emilia Jones, CODA

Outstanding Achievement by a Woman in the Film Industry: Maya Cade for Establishing The Black Film Archive

EDA Special Mention Awards

Grand Dame Award For Defying Ageism (tie): Dame Judi Dench (Belfast) & Ms. Rita Moreno (West Side Story)
Most Egregious Lovers’ Age Difference Award: No Time to Die – Daniel Craig and Lea Seydoux (17 years)
She Deserves A New Agent Award: Melissa McCarthy, The Starling
Most Daring Performance Award: Agathe Rouselle, Titane
Time Waster Remake or Sequel Award: Space Jam: A New Legacy

AWFJ Hall of Shame Award: Producers, crew and cast of Rust for not following proper safety protocol and causing the tragic death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins

Photo: Kirsty Griffin/Netflix