LOS ANGELES -- The animated Disney/Pixar science-fiction adventure "Wall-E" was named best picture of the year Tuesday by the Los Angeles Film Critics Association, with the Batman installment "The Dark Knight" finishing second in the balloting.
"The Dark Knight" director Christopher Nolan also finished second in the voting for best director, with the top honor going to Danny Boyle for the sweeping India love story "Slumdog Millionaire."
Sean Penn was named best actor for his portrayal of slain gay activist-turned-politician Harvey Milk in "Milk." Sally Hawkins was named best actress for her role as an overly upbeat British school teacher in "Happy-Go-Lucky."
Heath Ledger's acclaimed turn as The Joker in "The Dark Knight" earned him a posthumous award for best supporting actor, while Penelope Cruz was named best supporting actress for her work in "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" and "Elegy."
The 34th annual Los Angeles Film Critics Association awards will be presented Jan. 12 at the InterContinental hotel.
Founded in 1975, the LAFCA is comprised of Los Angeles-based professional film critics working in the print and electronic media.
Here is the complete list of winners:
BEST PICTURE
-- "Wall-E" (Runner-up: "The Dark Knight")
DIRECTOR
-- Danny Boyle, "Slumdog Millionaire" (Runner-up: Christopher Nolan,
"The Dark Knight")
ACTRESS
-- Sally Hawkins, "Happy-Go-Lucky" (Runner-up: Melissa Leo, "Frozen
River")
ACTOR
-- Sean Penn, "Milk" (Runner-up: Mickey Rourke, "The Wrestler")
SCREENPLAY
-- Mike Leigh, "Happy-Go-Lucky" (Runner-up: Charlie Kaufman,
"Synecdoche, New York")
SUPPORTING ACTRESS
-- Penelope Cruz, "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" and "Elegy" (Runner-up:
Viola Davis, "Doubt")
SUPPORTING ACTOR
-- Heath Ledger, "The Dark Knight" (Runner-up: Eddie Marsan, "Happy-Go-
Lucky")
FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
-- "Still Life," directed by Jia Zhangke (Runner-up: "Waltz with
Bashir," directed by Ari Folman)
DOCUMENTARY/NON-FICTION FILM
-- "Man on Wire," directed by James Marsh (Runner-up: "Waltz with
Bashir," directed by Ari Folman)
PRODUCTION DESIGN
-- Mark Friedberg, "Synecdoche, New York" (Runner-up: Nathan Crowley,
"The Dark Knight")
ANIMATION
-- "Waltz with Bashir"
MUSIC/SCORE:
-- A.R. Rahman, "Slumdog Millionaire" (Runner-up: Alexandre Desplat,
"The Curious Case of Benjamin Button")
CINEMATOGRAPHY
-- Yu Lik Wai, "Still Life" (Runner-up: Anthony Dod Mantle, "Slumdog
Millionaire")
NEW GENERATION
-- Steve McQueen, "Hunger"
CAREER ACHIEVEMENT
-- John Calley
DOUGLAS E. EDWARDS INDEPENDENT/EXPERIMENTAL FILM/VIDEO
-- James Benning, "RR" and "Casting a Glance"
