Sinners – Ryan Coogler’s exhilarating exploration of racial tension, music, and vampires – captured top honors from the Houston Film Critics Society in its 19th Annual Awards.
In addition to being named Best Picture of 2025, the Society presented awards to Sinners’ creator Ryan Coogler for Best Director and Screenplay. Michael B. Jordan was named Best Actor for playing twin brothers, and the film was honored for the year’s best Ensemble Cast, Cinematography, Original Music Score, and Casting. The eight wins by Sinners set a new record for the Society's annual citations.
“Sinners’ landmark success should not be seen as an aberration in cinema, but instead remind us that taking creative risks allow for bold filmmaking and new visions,” said Travis Leamons, president of the organization. “As we do each year, the Houston Critics celebrate their favorites and share their enjoyment with readers and listeners alike. It just so happened we really loved horror in 2025.”
The Society selected Jesse Buckley as Best Actress as a wife and mother searching for calm in the face of tragedy in Hamnet. Honored as Best Supporting Actor was Jacob Elordi as a creature navigating an uncertain future in Frankenstein, and as Best Supporting Actress, Amy Madigan as a mysterious aunt in Weapons.
Winning the Texas Independent Film Award – for the best film made in Texas – was the documentary The Librarians, Kim A. Snyder’s non-fiction exploration of efforts to fight book banning in Texas and Florida. Sentimental Value, Joachim Trier’s tribute to family dynamics, was named Best Foreign Language Feature.
“Throughout the year, our Society members keep audiences informed about the range of films available to them in theaters and at home,” Leamons continued. “As professional journalists committed to the movie experience, we are proud to honor this year’s winners.”
2025 Houston Film Critics Society Awards
Best Picture: Sinners
Best Director: Ryan Coogler, Sinners
Best Actor – Leading Role: Michael B. Jordan, Sinners
Best Actress – Leading Role: Jessie Buckley, Hamnet
Best Actor – Supporting Role: Jacob Elordi, Frankenstein
Best Actress – Supporting Role: Amy Madigan, Weapons
Best Screenplay: Ryan Coogler, Sinners
Best Animated Feature: KPop Demon Hunters
Best Cinematography: Autumn Durald Arkapaw, Sinners
Best Documentary: The Perfect Neighbor
Best Foreign Language Feature: Sentimental Value
Best Original Score: Ludwig Goransson, Sinners
Best Original Song: “Golden”, KPop Demon Hunters
Best Visual Effects: Avatar: Fire and Ash
Best Stunt Coordination Team: Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning
Best Casting: Francine Maisler, Sinners
Best Ensemble Cast: Sinners
Texas Independent Film Award: The Librarians
Five films produced in Texas competed for the prestigious Texas Independent Film Award (TIFA) when the Houston Film Critics Society (HFCS).
In 2024, Mike McGuff's documentary "Runaway Radio" won the 2024 TIFA. [WATCH HERE]
The 2025 nominees were:
• Ick: Joseph Kahn’s science fiction tale about a high school teacher who does everything possible to deal with a parasitic alien.
• The Librarians: Kim A. Snyder’s documentary focuses on efforts in Texas, Florida and other states to confront those trying to ban books from schools and libraries.
• Luv Ya Bum: This documentary from David Hartstein, Sam Wainwright Douglas, and Andrew Alden Miller profiles Bum Phillips, head coach of the Houston Oilers during the ‘Luv Ya Blue’ era.
• Selena y Los Dinos: Isabel Castro’s documentary captures what happened behind the scenes as a family supported the career of Selena Quintanilla.
• The Senior: Rod Lurie brings to the screen the story of Mike Flynt, who, at age 59, got a second chance to play college football.
“Each year, it becomes more challenging to select five nominees from the many quality films made in Texas,” says Cary Darling, HFCS member and Arts Editor for the Houston Chronicle. “We continue, in our state, to make significant contributions to what cinema can and will be.”
“For more than 10 years the Texas Independent Film Award has shone a spotlight on the creativity and drive of local filmmaking outside the studio system, celebrating artists who tell bold, personal stories rooted in culture and community,” adds Joshua Starnes, HFCS member and long-time coordinator of the TIFA selection process. “The 2025 nominees stand easily alongside the awards’ previous recipients, showcasing a range of voices working in Texas today from inventive genre filmmaking to intimate documentary. The 2025 nominees affirm Texas’ voice in modern cinema.”
To be nominated for the TIFA, a film must be shot in the Lone Star State and submitted to the Society by October 31, 2025. Members of a select HFCS committee screened the possible nominees before all voting members reviewed them and selected the winner.
“We are proud to salute these three documentaries and two narrative features as they vie to be acknowledged as the best of Texas film of 2025,” says Travis Leamons, President of the Society. “Each year, as more people around the world learn more about making movies in Texas, the opportunities for our filmmakers expand as well as the offerings for audiences.”
The 40 members of the Houston Film Critics Society are working film journalists on television, radio, online, and in traditional print. Together, they reach millions of people each week across the United States with their critiques and commentaries on film. The organization’s mission is to promote the advancement and appreciation of film in the Houston community and beyond. For a list of members, visit www.HoustonFilmCritics.com.
