Joe Hammerschmidt
@joethehammer.bsky.social
@989KPNW @warm1069 staffer/film critic | @seattlecritics member | @greenrivercc grad | @KGRGFM alum | cartoon nerd | theme park junkie | he/they | 🎥 🏳️🌈 🏴
And in the case of transparency, these were my @seattlecritics.bsky.social
picks, along with what I’ll need to watch still from our nominees in the next seven or so days (not pictured, the shorts). We announce the winners next Monday 12/15.
Wish me luck.
picks, along with what I’ll need to watch still from our nominees in the next seven or so days (not pictured, the shorts). We announce the winners next Monday 12/15.
Wish me luck.
December 5, 2025 at 9:46 PM
And in the case of transparency, these were my @seattlecritics.bsky.social
picks, along with what I’ll need to watch still from our nominees in the next seven or so days (not pictured, the shorts). We announce the winners next Monday 12/15.
Wish me luck.
picks, along with what I’ll need to watch still from our nominees in the next seven or so days (not pictured, the shorts). We announce the winners next Monday 12/15.
Wish me luck.
Pretty much went with my gut 95% adapting from my current year-end top 10 to pick Picture. Not a bad looker in this bunch. And certainly the right kind of competitive. Another very tough call going into next week. Wishing Dead Man were here.
The 2025 SFCS nominees for BEST PICTURE:
📽️ BUGONIA
📽️ HAMNET
📽️ IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT
📽️ MARTY SUPREME
📽️ ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER
📽️ SENTIMENTAL VALUE
📽️ SINNERS
📽️ SORRY, BABY
📽️ TRAIN DREAMS
📽️ WEAPONS
📽️ BUGONIA
📽️ HAMNET
📽️ IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT
📽️ MARTY SUPREME
📽️ ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER
📽️ SENTIMENTAL VALUE
📽️ SINNERS
📽️ SORRY, BABY
📽️ TRAIN DREAMS
📽️ WEAPONS
December 5, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Pretty much went with my gut 95% adapting from my current year-end top 10 to pick Picture. Not a bad looker in this bunch. And certainly the right kind of competitive. Another very tough call going into next week. Wishing Dead Man were here.
A perfect five here. Complicated whittling down on my end, though. Was favoring Park Chan-wook a little more over Miss Zhao, but really can’t complain. If anything, gives me reasoning to revisit Hamnet when more fully awake.
The 2025 SFCS nominees for BEST DIRECTOR:
📽️ Chloé Zhao - HAMNET
📽️ Josh Safdie - MARTY SUPREME
📽️ Paul Thomas Anderson - ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER
📽️ Ryan Coogler - SINNERS
📽️ Clint Bentley - TRAIN DREAMS
📽️ Chloé Zhao - HAMNET
📽️ Josh Safdie - MARTY SUPREME
📽️ Paul Thomas Anderson - ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER
📽️ Ryan Coogler - SINNERS
📽️ Clint Bentley - TRAIN DREAMS
December 5, 2025 at 9:37 PM
A perfect five here. Complicated whittling down on my end, though. Was favoring Park Chan-wook a little more over Miss Zhao, but really can’t complain. If anything, gives me reasoning to revisit Hamnet when more fully awake.
Perhaps it’s meant to be for Hawke; if I had seen Blue Moon in time, no way he wouldn’t have been in my five. The three of mine that did make it, they were clear locks once the lights went up. And Jordan, he was right on the edge, almost in favor of a “no guts no glory” pick. Satisfied here.
The 2025 SFCS nominees for BEST LEAD ACTOR:
📽️ Timothée Chalamet - MARTY SUPREME
📽️ Leonardo DiCaprio - ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER
📽️ Joel Edgerton - TRAIN DREAMS
📽️ Ethan Hawke - BLUE MOON
📽️ Michael B. Jordan - SINNERS
📽️ Timothée Chalamet - MARTY SUPREME
📽️ Leonardo DiCaprio - ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER
📽️ Joel Edgerton - TRAIN DREAMS
📽️ Ethan Hawke - BLUE MOON
📽️ Michael B. Jordan - SINNERS
December 5, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Perhaps it’s meant to be for Hawke; if I had seen Blue Moon in time, no way he wouldn’t have been in my five. The three of mine that did make it, they were clear locks once the lights went up. And Jordan, he was right on the edge, almost in favor of a “no guts no glory” pick. Satisfied here.
Won’t lie, really grateful I got to Hamnet right before pencils down. Buckley truly makes her presence known right from the start, with the others in similar stead. Haven’t gotten to see IIHLIKY just yet, but soon.
The 2025 SFCS nominees for BEST LEAD ACTRESS:
📽️ Jessie Buckley - HAMNET
📽️ Rose Byrne - IF I HAD LEGS I'D KICK YOU
📽️ Amanda Seyfried - THE TESTAMENT OF ANN LEE
📽️ Emma Stone - BUGONIA
📽️ Eva Victor - SORRY, BABY
📽️ Jessie Buckley - HAMNET
📽️ Rose Byrne - IF I HAD LEGS I'D KICK YOU
📽️ Amanda Seyfried - THE TESTAMENT OF ANN LEE
📽️ Emma Stone - BUGONIA
📽️ Eva Victor - SORRY, BABY
December 5, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Won’t lie, really grateful I got to Hamnet right before pencils down. Buckley truly makes her presence known right from the start, with the others in similar stead. Haven’t gotten to see IIHLIKY just yet, but soon.
Craig will hopefully be avenged someday, but to see Macy and Jonsson (whose portrayal is growing on me) here wonderfully picks up the slack. Both were true thinkers in their roles, where their impact doesn’t really hit you most til after seeing their films, burrowing deep.
The 2025 SFCS nominees for BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR:
📽️ Benicio del Toro - ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER
📽️ Jacob Elordi - FRANKENSTEIN
📽️ David Jonsson - THE LONG WALK
📽️ William H. Macy - TRAIN DREAMS
📽️ Sean Penn - ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER
📽️ Benicio del Toro - ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER
📽️ Jacob Elordi - FRANKENSTEIN
📽️ David Jonsson - THE LONG WALK
📽️ William H. Macy - TRAIN DREAMS
📽️ Sean Penn - ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER
December 5, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Craig will hopefully be avenged someday, but to see Macy and Jonsson (whose portrayal is growing on me) here wonderfully picks up the slack. Both were true thinkers in their roles, where their impact doesn’t really hit you most til after seeing their films, burrowing deep.
All 5 of mine missed here, but I suppose I shouldn’t be that surprised, particularly with the three or four likely juggernauts that will most likely excel rest of the season. Can’t win them all.
The 2025 SFCS nominees for BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS:
📽️ Ariana Grande - WICKED: FOR GOOD
📽️ Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas - SENTIMENTAL VALUE
📽️ Amy Madigan - WEAPONS
📽️ Wunmi Mosaku - SINNERS
📽️ Teyana Taylor - ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER
📽️ Ariana Grande - WICKED: FOR GOOD
📽️ Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas - SENTIMENTAL VALUE
📽️ Amy Madigan - WEAPONS
📽️ Wunmi Mosaku - SINNERS
📽️ Teyana Taylor - ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER
December 5, 2025 at 9:17 PM
All 5 of mine missed here, but I suppose I shouldn’t be that surprised, particularly with the three or four likely juggernauts that will most likely excel rest of the season. Can’t win them all.
A category I knew I had a couple of sure names in mind at the start of the season, but didn’t really lock in till the last minute. Probably a lesson for me there, but amazing to see Jupe and Gorman in this mix.
The 2025 SFCS nominees for BEST YOUTH PERFORMANCE:
📽️ Cary Christopher - WEAPONS
📽️ Shannon Gorman - RENTAL FAMILY
📽️ Jacobi Jupe - HAMNET
📽️ Jasper Thompson - THE MASTERMIND
📽️ Alfie Williams - 28 YEARS LATER
📽️ Cary Christopher - WEAPONS
📽️ Shannon Gorman - RENTAL FAMILY
📽️ Jacobi Jupe - HAMNET
📽️ Jasper Thompson - THE MASTERMIND
📽️ Alfie Williams - 28 YEARS LATER
December 5, 2025 at 9:14 PM
A category I knew I had a couple of sure names in mind at the start of the season, but didn’t really lock in till the last minute. Probably a lesson for me there, but amazing to see Jupe and Gorman in this mix.
The thing uniting these five together (although I haven’t watched EEPHUS yet), strong lead anchoring an overall solid cadre of performers, and a viable director guiding the way. The art of effective casting is not dead, thankfully.
The 2025 SFCS nominees for BEST ENSEMBLE:
📽️ EEPHUS
📽️ MARTY SUPREME
📽️ ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER
📽️ SINNERS
📽️ WAKE UP DEAD MAN: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY
📽️ EEPHUS
📽️ MARTY SUPREME
📽️ ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER
📽️ SINNERS
📽️ WAKE UP DEAD MAN: A KNIVES OUT MYSTERY
December 5, 2025 at 9:08 PM
The thing uniting these five together (although I haven’t watched EEPHUS yet), strong lead anchoring an overall solid cadre of performers, and a viable director guiding the way. The art of effective casting is not dead, thankfully.
I think we all knew this was gonna be the NEON award this year. 4/5 sounds about right. No idea about Ugly Stepsister, it’s the odd one in that I haven’t watched.
The 2025 SFCS nominees for BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM:
📽️ IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT
📽️ NO OTHER CHOICE
📽️ THE SECRET AGENT
📽️ SENTIMENTAL VALUE
📽️ THE UGLY STEPSISTER
📽️ IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT
📽️ NO OTHER CHOICE
📽️ THE SECRET AGENT
📽️ SENTIMENTAL VALUE
📽️ THE UGLY STEPSISTER
December 5, 2025 at 9:01 PM
I think we all knew this was gonna be the NEON award this year. 4/5 sounds about right. No idea about Ugly Stepsister, it’s the odd one in that I haven’t watched.
Once more hopped on the documentary train a little late this year, but the strength of these nominees shows there’s never a bad time to start. Wonderful to see one of our PNW nominees make this lineup, along with another unexpected SIFF darling.
The 2025 SFCS nominees for BEST DOCUMENTARY FILM:
📽️ THE ALABAMA SOLUTION
📽️ COME SEE ME IN THE GOOD LIGHT
📽️ PAVEMENTS
📽️ THE PERFECT NEIGHBOR
📽️ WTO/99
📽️ THE ALABAMA SOLUTION
📽️ COME SEE ME IN THE GOOD LIGHT
📽️ PAVEMENTS
📽️ THE PERFECT NEIGHBOR
📽️ WTO/99
December 5, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Once more hopped on the documentary train a little late this year, but the strength of these nominees shows there’s never a bad time to start. Wonderful to see one of our PNW nominees make this lineup, along with another unexpected SIFF darling.
First biggest surprise of our slate this year - Colors Within essentially taking the #5 slot that was more or less an open free-for-all. Opened wide in January (GKIDS sent us screeners for it last cycle), so it was eligible for that reason. Beyond that, satisfied with the quality of this five.
The 2025 SFCS nominees for BEST ANIMATED FILM:
📽️ ARCO
📽️ THE COLORS WITHIN
📽️ KPOP DEMON HUNTERS
📽️ LITTLE AMÉLIE OR THE CHARACTER OF RAIN
📽️ ZOOTOPIA 2
📽️ ARCO
📽️ THE COLORS WITHIN
📽️ KPOP DEMON HUNTERS
📽️ LITTLE AMÉLIE OR THE CHARACTER OF RAIN
📽️ ZOOTOPIA 2
December 5, 2025 at 8:53 PM
First biggest surprise of our slate this year - Colors Within essentially taking the #5 slot that was more or less an open free-for-all. Opened wide in January (GKIDS sent us screeners for it last cycle), so it was eligible for that reason. Beyond that, satisfied with the quality of this five.
At one point I had maybe 15 films to consider for this category. The pen was that mighty in ‘25. And to know at least one fave from this year’s SIFF got in (even if I wasn’t as passionate for it as others), good to see keep things balanced.
The 2025 SFCS nominees for BEST SCREENPLAY:
📽️ MARTY SUPREME
📽️ ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER
📽️ SINNERS
📽️ SORRY, BABY
📽️ TRAIN DREAMS
📽️ MARTY SUPREME
📽️ ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER
📽️ SINNERS
📽️ SORRY, BABY
📽️ TRAIN DREAMS
December 5, 2025 at 8:47 PM
At one point I had maybe 15 films to consider for this category. The pen was that mighty in ‘25. And to know at least one fave from this year’s SIFF got in (even if I wasn’t as passionate for it as others), good to see keep things balanced.
Three of my five made this final grouping. A little surprised Avatar missed, but it’s hard to beat the thrill of actual outdoor photography. In the case of Hamnet and Train Dreams, it’s like a mirror effect that can truly stop us in our tracks. Gotta love that with certain DPs.
The 2025 SFCS nominees for BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY:
📽️ FRANKENSTEIN
📽️ HAMNET
📽️ ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER
📽️ SINNERS
📽️ TRAIN DREAMS
📽️ FRANKENSTEIN
📽️ HAMNET
📽️ ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER
📽️ SINNERS
📽️ TRAIN DREAMS
December 5, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Three of my five made this final grouping. A little surprised Avatar missed, but it’s hard to beat the thrill of actual outdoor photography. In the case of Hamnet and Train Dreams, it’s like a mirror effect that can truly stop us in our tracks. Gotta love that with certain DPs.
From festival surprise to society surprise, Diamond is an interesting misnomer in this bunch (that i’ve yet to watch). But this full group proves how sharp the CTRL X/Y was on everyone’s AVID keyboards this year. Tough call to make here.
The 2025 SFCS nominees for BEST EDITING:
📽️ F1® THE MOVIE
📽️ MARTY SUPREME
📽️ ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER
📽️ REFLECTION IN A DEAD DIAMOND
📽️ SINNERS
📽️ F1® THE MOVIE
📽️ MARTY SUPREME
📽️ ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER
📽️ REFLECTION IN A DEAD DIAMOND
📽️ SINNERS
December 5, 2025 at 8:38 PM
From festival surprise to society surprise, Diamond is an interesting misnomer in this bunch (that i’ve yet to watch). But this full group proves how sharp the CTRL X/Y was on everyone’s AVID keyboards this year. Tough call to make here.
Pains me a little to not see Wake Up Dead Man here. Have yet to look at Resurrection. The rest are solid choices, especially F4.
The 2025 SFCS nominees for BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN:
📽️ FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS
📽️ FRANKENSTEIN
📽️ THE PHOENICIAN SCHEME
📽️ RESURRECTION
📽️ SINNERS
📽️ FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS
📽️ FRANKENSTEIN
📽️ THE PHOENICIAN SCHEME
📽️ RESURRECTION
📽️ SINNERS
December 5, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Pains me a little to not see Wake Up Dead Man here. Have yet to look at Resurrection. The rest are solid choices, especially F4.
The only thing I knew I could consider Wicked in for. For Good’s flawed yet fun, the closer among a stronger quartet.
The 2025 SFCS nominees for BEST COSTUME DESIGN:
📽️ FRANKENSTEIN
📽️ THE PHOENICIAN SCHEME
📽️ SINNERS
📽️ TRAIN DREAMS
📽️ WICKED: FOR GOOD
📽️ FRANKENSTEIN
📽️ THE PHOENICIAN SCHEME
📽️ SINNERS
📽️ TRAIN DREAMS
📽️ WICKED: FOR GOOD
December 5, 2025 at 8:27 PM
The only thing I knew I could consider Wicked in for. For Good’s flawed yet fun, the closer among a stronger quartet.
The first real category that I was really racking my head about. NIN certainly delivered the goods with their soundtrack, but I naturally hope Dessner can be avenged.
The 2025 SFCS nominees for BEST ORIGINAL SCORE:
📽️ F1® THE MOVIE
📽️ FRANKENSTEIN
📽️ ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER
📽️ SINNERS
📽️ TRON: ARES
📽️ F1® THE MOVIE
📽️ FRANKENSTEIN
📽️ ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER
📽️ SINNERS
📽️ TRON: ARES
December 5, 2025 at 8:22 PM
The first real category that I was really racking my head about. NIN certainly delivered the goods with their soundtrack, but I naturally hope Dessner can be avenged.
Never underestimate the raw physicality of a proper action film. I’ll admit I kind of that with Ballerina. Safe to say this feels like a fair run away with a certain something.
The 2025 SFCS nominees for BEST ACTION CHOREOGRAPHY:
📽️ AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH
📽️ FROM THE WORLD OF JOHN WICK: BALLERINA
📽️ MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - THE FINAL RECKONING
📽️ PREDATOR: BADLANDS
📽️ SINNERS
📽️ AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH
📽️ FROM THE WORLD OF JOHN WICK: BALLERINA
📽️ MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - THE FINAL RECKONING
📽️ PREDATOR: BADLANDS
📽️ SINNERS
December 5, 2025 at 8:18 PM
Never underestimate the raw physicality of a proper action film. I’ll admit I kind of that with Ballerina. Safe to say this feels like a fair run away with a certain something.
Timing was certainly everything, especially when it came to that last major player in the race. Avatar was exactly that, and we’re sure its high frame rate journey will only keep moving faster and faster. Plenty satisfied with this five.
The 2025 SFCS nominees for BEST VISUAL EFFECTS:
📽️ AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH
📽️ F1® THE MOVIE
📽️ FRANKENSTEIN
📽️ PREDATOR: BADLANDS
📽️ SINNERS
📽️ AVATAR: FIRE AND ASH
📽️ F1® THE MOVIE
📽️ FRANKENSTEIN
📽️ PREDATOR: BADLANDS
📽️ SINNERS
December 5, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Timing was certainly everything, especially when it came to that last major player in the race. Avatar was exactly that, and we’re sure its high frame rate journey will only keep moving faster and faster. Plenty satisfied with this five.
Reposted by Joe Hammerschmidt
Also previously announced, the 2025 SFCS nominees for BEST PACIFIC NORTHWEST SHORT FILM are:
📽️ CHARLOTTE, 1994
📽️ A FATEFUL WEEKEND
📽️ SHELLY'S LEG
📽️ SONGS OF BLACK FOLK
📽️ STYLE: A SEATTLE BASKETBALL STORY
📽️ CHARLOTTE, 1994
📽️ A FATEFUL WEEKEND
📽️ SHELLY'S LEG
📽️ SONGS OF BLACK FOLK
📽️ STYLE: A SEATTLE BASKETBALL STORY
December 5, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Also previously announced, the 2025 SFCS nominees for BEST PACIFIC NORTHWEST SHORT FILM are:
📽️ CHARLOTTE, 1994
📽️ A FATEFUL WEEKEND
📽️ SHELLY'S LEG
📽️ SONGS OF BLACK FOLK
📽️ STYLE: A SEATTLE BASKETBALL STORY
📽️ CHARLOTTE, 1994
📽️ A FATEFUL WEEKEND
📽️ SHELLY'S LEG
📽️ SONGS OF BLACK FOLK
📽️ STYLE: A SEATTLE BASKETBALL STORY
We had to’ve been pulling from a larger pool than I previously thought with this group. Three were no-brainers, the other two almost out of nowhere.
The 2025 SFCS nominees for VILLAIN OF THE YEAR:
📽️ Laura - BRING HER BACK - Sally Hawkins
📽️ Col. Steven J. Lockjaw - ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER - Sean Penn
📽️ Remmick - SINNERS - Jack O’Connell
📽️ Lex Luthor - SUPERMAN - Nicholas Hoult
📽️ Aunt Gladys - WEAPONS - Amy Madigan
📽️ Laura - BRING HER BACK - Sally Hawkins
📽️ Col. Steven J. Lockjaw - ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER - Sean Penn
📽️ Remmick - SINNERS - Jack O’Connell
📽️ Lex Luthor - SUPERMAN - Nicholas Hoult
📽️ Aunt Gladys - WEAPONS - Amy Madigan
December 5, 2025 at 8:07 PM
We had to’ve been pulling from a larger pool than I previously thought with this group. Three were no-brainers, the other two almost out of nowhere.
Quite possibly our strongest PNW nominee slate thus far, in terms of quality, mileage, and degree of impact. All winners in this bunch.
As previously announced, the 2025 SFCS nominees for BEST PACIFIC NORTHWEST FILM are:
📽️ NOT ONE DROP OF BLOOD
📽️ TO KILL A WOLF
📽️ TRAIN DREAMS
📽️ TWINLESS
📽️ WOLF LAND (DIRECTOR'S CUT)
📽️ WTO/99
📽️ NOT ONE DROP OF BLOOD
📽️ TO KILL A WOLF
📽️ TRAIN DREAMS
📽️ TWINLESS
📽️ WOLF LAND (DIRECTOR'S CUT)
📽️ WTO/99
December 5, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Quite possibly our strongest PNW nominee slate thus far, in terms of quality, mileage, and degree of impact. All winners in this bunch.
Reposted by Joe Hammerschmidt
As previously announced, the 2025 SFCS nominees for BEST PACIFIC NORTHWEST FILM are:
📽️ NOT ONE DROP OF BLOOD
📽️ TO KILL A WOLF
📽️ TRAIN DREAMS
📽️ TWINLESS
📽️ WOLF LAND (DIRECTOR'S CUT)
📽️ WTO/99
📽️ NOT ONE DROP OF BLOOD
📽️ TO KILL A WOLF
📽️ TRAIN DREAMS
📽️ TWINLESS
📽️ WOLF LAND (DIRECTOR'S CUT)
📽️ WTO/99
December 5, 2025 at 8:00 PM
As previously announced, the 2025 SFCS nominees for BEST PACIFIC NORTHWEST FILM are:
📽️ NOT ONE DROP OF BLOOD
📽️ TO KILL A WOLF
📽️ TRAIN DREAMS
📽️ TWINLESS
📽️ WOLF LAND (DIRECTOR'S CUT)
📽️ WTO/99
📽️ NOT ONE DROP OF BLOOD
📽️ TO KILL A WOLF
📽️ TRAIN DREAMS
📽️ TWINLESS
📽️ WOLF LAND (DIRECTOR'S CUT)
📽️ WTO/99
No surprise, been very quiet last several days with work and other commitments. In about five minutes, you’ll see part of why. Check in with @seattlecritics.bsky.social as we announce our 2025 film nominees! And then I’ll share what I picked at the end of it all.
December 5, 2025 at 7:56 PM
No surprise, been very quiet last several days with work and other commitments. In about five minutes, you’ll see part of why. Check in with @seattlecritics.bsky.social as we announce our 2025 film nominees! And then I’ll share what I picked at the end of it all.