30 November 2016
Newsdesk
Britain's leading film critics today announced that filmmakers Alice Lowe and Steve Oram will return as hosts of the 37th London Critics' Circle Film Awards, which will take place on Sunday 22nd January 2017 at The May Fair Hotel. The event is expected to attract a host of stellar British and international film talent. The awards are presented by the 145-member Film Section of The Critics' Circle, the UK's longest-standing and most prestigious critical organisation. "We can't wait to host such a great night," says Oram. "It's the most fun and relaxed of the awards ceremonies."
For the second year, Suqqu will be a main sponsor of the event. The premium cosmetics brand will again offer guests at the ceremony a unique make-up experience. Special cocktails at the after party will be provided by Sacred Spirits. Guests can also enjoy Rémy Grand Tonics, created by Rémy Martin, which is also the exclusive supplier to the Cannes Film Festival. And Voss will provide water to keep everyone well hydrated. As in previous years, Audi is the official car of the event.
Since the first edition in 1980, the Critics' Circle Film Awards have become an anticipated and respected fixture in the annual film calendar. In recent years attending winners have included Daniel Craig, Cate Blanchett, Michael Fassbender, Martin Scorsese, Marion Cotillard, Carey Mulligan, Quentin Tarantino, Emma Thompson, Timothy Spall, Christoph Waltz and Steve McQueen.
The 2016 ceremony attracted a star-studded red carpet with guests including Kate Winslet, Maisie Williams, Tom Courtenay, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Asif Kapadia, Blake Harrison, Florence Pugh and Stephen Woolley. The iconic actor-filmmaker Kenneth Branagh was presented with the Dilys Powell Award by his friend and colleague Judi Dench, and the ceremony was hosted by comedian Robin Ince. Mad Max: Fury Road was named Film of the Year, while British winners included 45 Years, Amy, Legend, Slow West and The Falling. The inaugural winner of the British/Irish Short Film of the Year, Ben Cleary's Stutterer, went on to win the Oscar a month later.
Rich Cline, chair of the Critics’ Circle Film Awards, comments: "Our awards stand out from the crowd because they are chosen by people who watch all of the films released in Britain every year. The ceremony is an integral part of the annual awards-season conversation and has consistently highlighted film achievements that may be overlooked by other groups. I am also delighted that we're returning to the intimate, five-star glamour of The May Fair Hotel for a fifth year. The team there has been integral to our event, and we look forward to working with them to put on another great evening."
Inderneel Singh, The May Fair Hotel's Managing Director, says: "We're excited to welcome back our friends from the Critics' Circle Film Awards for the fifth year running. The Critics' Circle Film Awards kick off the awards season and are often seen as a notable precursor to the other major awards that follow. They are the perfect match for the dynamic style of The May Fair Hotel and we can't wait to welcome the best of the worldwide film industry's talent to the hotel in January.”
Films are eligible for the 37th London Critics' Circle Film Awards if they are released in the UK between 12 February 2016 and 10 February 2017 and screened for the press.
Steve Oram (A Dark Song) and Alice Lowe (Prevenge) previously hosted the 35th Critics' Circle Film Awards in January 2015. They won the award for British Breakthrough Filmmakers in 2012 for their screenplay for Sightseers.
