Boyhood dominates New York Film Critics Awards

Richard Linklater's 12-years-in-the-making Boyhoodhas been named best picture by the New York Film Critics Circle.

The critics group announced its awards Monday. Boyhoodalso received best director honours for Linklater and best supporting actress for Patricia Arquette. Theproduction was uncommonly stretched out over years to capture the passage of time.

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The strong support from one of the country's top critics groups gives Boyhoodan early boost in Hollywood's lengthy awards season. The film is considered an Oscar front-runner.

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Best actor went to Timothy Spall for the J.M.W. Turner biopic Mr. Turner.Marion Cotillard was awarded best actress for her performances in both The Immigrantand Two Days,One Night.Best supporting actor went to J.K. Simmons for Whiplash.

The rest of the winners includedCitizenfour, Laura Poitrass film about Edward Snowden, for best nonfiction film;The Lego Moviefor best animated film;The Grand Budapest Hotelfor best screenplay;The Immigrants Darius Khondji for best cinematography; and the Polish period dramaIdafor best foreign-language film.

The awards will be handed out on Jan. 5.