New York Film Critics Circle Move Awards Vote To December 3rd; Add New Members

The New York Film Critics Circle has moved back the date of their voting from last year's unexpectedly early November 29th to December 3rd this year, it was announced today. The awards -- also announced on the 3rd -- will be handed out during their annual ceremony to be held on Monday, January 7, 2013 at Crimson.

Last year, the critics gave their top prize to "The Artist" in a vote that took place two weeks earlier than usual. Some criticized the group for trying to be the first to announce at the expense of members being able to see films released late in the year.

The Circle also announced three new members in Bilge Ebiri (New York Magazine), Nick Pinkerton (Village Voice) and Keith Uhlich (Time Out New York).

Chairman Joshua Rothkopf said in a statement: "We're always happy to see the group grow. Criticism is as vital as ever; our group celebrates the movies but also the art of response and interpretation. We're looking forward to deliberating on the best of 2012 in the weeks to come."
 
Founded in 1935, the New York Film Critics Circle is the oldest in the United States. The circle’s membership includes "critics from daily newspapers, weekly newspapers, magazines and the web’s most respected online publications."  In their own words, the Circle's annual awards "a principled alternative to the Oscars, honoring aesthetic merit in a forum that is immune to commercial and political pressures."

Check out a full list of announced 2012-13 awards dates here.