Joe Hammerschmidt
joethehammer.bsky.social
Joe Hammerschmidt
@joethehammer.bsky.social
@989KPNW @warm1069 staffer/film critic | @seattlecritics member | @greenrivercc grad | @KGRGFM alum | cartoon nerd | theme park junkie | he/they | 🎥 🏳️‍🌈 🏴
Truly the win that means so much. As far as films that truly have the consensus this season, this one is ready to keep driving and set the pace. Modern masterpiece ready to race for the roses. Had no shame in making this my No. 1, it was well earned.
The SFCS 2025 award for Best PICTURE:

📽️ ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER - Paul Thomas Anderson

@warnerbrospictures.bsky.social
December 15, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Reposted by Joe Hammerschmidt
The SFCS 2025 award for Best DIRECTOR:

📽️ ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER - Paul Thomas Anderson

@warnerbrospictures.bsky.social
December 15, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Reposted by Joe Hammerschmidt
The SFCS 2025 award for Best LEAD ACTOR:

📽️ LEONARDO DICAPRIO - One Battle After Another

@warnerbrospictures.bsky.social
December 15, 2025 at 7:35 PM
From her first scene on, the statement of motherly instinct and unchallenged resolve Buckley propels in this film left an instantaneous impact. Category overall was tough to pick a No. 1, could’ve gone to any of em, but no regrets.
The SFCS 2025 award for Best LEAD ACTRESS:

📽️ JESSIE BUCKLEY - Hamnet

@focusfeatures.bsky.social
December 15, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Penn was the terrifiying monster hiding under everyone’s bed with what he did in this film. Fits the Supporting bill to a T, but I’d be lying if I didn’t say Benicio’s earned his fair shake alongside. Both exceptional.
The SFCS 2025 award for Best SUPPORTING ACTOR:

📽️ SEAN PENN - One Battle After Another

@warnerbrospictures.bsky.social
December 15, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Probably the one category I may not’ve entirely agreed with. Would’ve taken Teyana, but hard to argue. Mosaku had raw precision and unwavering dexterity, never losing her sense of commitment to the role. One… that I need to watch again.
The SFCS 2025 award for Best SUPPORTING ACTRESS:

📽️ WUNMI MOSAKU - Sinners

@warnerbrospictures.bsky.social
December 15, 2025 at 9:21 PM
The moment I saw this film - albeit at home and on little sleep, he became no less than a revelation. Jupe was indeed crucial to that. I grow more fond of what Zhao did here the more I’m thinking of it.
The SFCS 2025 award for Best YOUTH PERFORMANCE:

📽️ JACOBI JUPE - Hamnet

@focusfeatures.bsky.social
December 15, 2025 at 9:19 PM
Reposted by Joe Hammerschmidt
The SFCS 2025 award for Best ENSEMBLE:

📽️ ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER - Cassandra Kulukundis

@warnerbrospictures.bsky.social
December 15, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Best lineup for this category to date. And quite possibly one of the sweetest wins to come from it. Between this and WTO, the wealth truly spread out in a way I personally hope can grow further next year.
The SFCS 2025 award for Best PACIFIC NORTHWEST FILM:

📽️ TRAIN DREAMS - Clint Bentley

@netflix.com
December 15, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Forms of culture met so brilliantly in the middle with this particular short film. We had ourselves an eclectic variety with this first-year category, so that alone’s the victory. Chose well here.
The SFCS 2025 award for Best PACIFIC NORTHWEST SHORT:

📽️ SONGS OF BLACK FOLK - Justin Emeka, Haley Watson
December 15, 2025 at 9:16 PM
NO OTHER CHOICE likely stole my heart way more, but this win still works well. If nothing else, a veritable gateway into Panahi’s brand of absurdist storytelling with a brutally honest consciousness.
The SFCS 2025 award for Best INTERNATIONAL FILM:

📽️ IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT - Jafar Panahi

@neonrated
December 15, 2025 at 9:13 PM
A true win for us that immortalizes this infamous point in our city’s history. I went for Good Light as my #1, and yet I can’t knock this one too much, taking a slew of footage and stitching a new patchwork with it, for a fresh lens even I wouldn’t have imagined. Proud of this pick.
The SFCS 2025 award for Best DOCUMENTARY FILM:

📽️ WTO/99 - Ian Bell
December 15, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Nothing was getting in this film’s way, especially during a year that, for animation, deserved to be way stronger. The strongest made the 5, and this was the top of the heap. Wishing for a fun awards run rest of the way where it can stay competitive.
The SFCS 2025 award for Best ANIMATED FILM:

📽️ KPOP DEMON HUNTERS - Maggie Kang, Chris Appelhans

@netflix.com @maggiekang.bsky.social
December 15, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Battle and its jaw-dropping vistas was my pick, and yet it couldn’t be just that. Sinners earns its roses here knowing it had an equally tough job - not just to nail a shot, but to remain observant to every single shot, to navigate through the written word and detail it all. Alright with this.
The SFCS 2025 award for Best CINEMATOGRAPHY:

📽️ SINNERS - Autumn Durald Durkapaw

@warnerbrospictures.bsky.social
December 15, 2025 at 8:04 PM
This and Marty Supreme kept swirling in my mind as the top two case studies for editing that never stays consistent, but always adapt in gracious flow with every changing element, even the microcosms. Marty edged out more for me here, but this is still a solid pick.
The SFCS 2025 award for EDITING:

📽️ ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER - Andy Jurgensen

@warnerbrospictures.bsky.social
December 15, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Strongest aesthetics won the day with Del Toro’s latest gothic dive. Another case where I couldn’t have imagined another film stealing the rug. Fantastic Four, in this category (Sinners in costumes) does get close, though.
The SFCS 2025 award for PRODUCTION DESIGN:

📽️ FRANKENSTEIN - Tamara Deverell (Production Design), Shane Vieau (Set Decoration)

@netflix.com
December 15, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Reposted by Joe Hammerschmidt
The SFCS 2025 award for COSTUME DESIGN:

📽️ FRANKENSTEIN - Kate Hawley

@netflix.com @katehawleycostume.bsky.social
December 15, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Haunting, shattering, a little disturbing, but still a tiny bit whimsical with its dives into the atonal, what Greenwood did added so many more layers to what Anderson was already considering in mapping out this story. Couldn’t have imagined anyone else to give this to.
The SFCS 2025 award for ORIGINAL SCORE:

📽️ ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER - Jonny Greenwood

@warnerbrospictures.bsky.social
December 15, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Never underestimate the elective determination of a modern showman. Cruise the lightning rod, Eastwood one of the assisting sparks. No-brainer win.
The SFCS 2025 award for ACTION CHOREOGRAPHY:

📽️ MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - THE FINAL RECKONING - Wade Eastwood

@paramountpictures.bsky.social @missionimpossible.com
December 15, 2025 at 7:57 PM
It was bound to be either her or Lockjaw. Still stings most of our squad just outright forgot about Ruffalo in Mickey 17…
The SFCS 2025 award for VILLAIN OF THE YEAR:

📽️ AUNT GLADYS - as portrayed by Amy Madigan in WEAPONS

@warnerbrospictures.bsky.social
December 15, 2025 at 7:56 PM
The seamless blending of realms (and a bit of that HFR) seemed to make the difference here. Cameron’s team don’t slouch about.
The SFCS 2025 award for VISUAL EFFECTS:

📽️ AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH - Joe Letteri, Richard Baneham, Eric Saindon, Daniel Barrett

@20thcenturystudios.bsky.social
December 15, 2025 at 6:09 PM
This one we voted on… LIVE! At the ceremony. Total surprise. Suppose next year we’ll make it a proper category??
December 15, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Reposted by Joe Hammerschmidt
SFCS recognizes SKY HOPINKA with the 2025 John Hartl Pacific Northwest Spotlight. The award will be presented along with POWWOW PEOPLE as part of the 2026 Seattle International Film Festival.
December 15, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Reposted by Joe Hammerschmidt
Before we get to our 10th slate of SFCS annual awards, a look back at nine years of Best Pictures with some thoughts from our members.

(Compiled by SFCS founding president and current Awards Coordinator @shouldiseeit.bsky.social)
SFCS Best Pictures
As SFCS prepares to announce our 10th slate of annual film awards, a look back on the previous nine best pictures, with some words from our members.
youtu.be
December 15, 2025 at 5:26 PM
My fifth to last order of personal business for 2025, preside and observe over these announcements as a member of this wonderful group. We had ourselves quite the year, beyond proud of what we pulled off.

Now… time for y’all to see what we wound up choosing.
Good morning! We'll be announcing our 10th set of SFCS annual film awards beginning at 10:00 am (PST)
December 15, 2025 at 5:53 PM