While there are all sorts of barometers and ways to gauge awards season, for me the season truly begins when the New York Film Critics Circle give out their year-end awards.  From there, we have The National Board of Review, American Film Institute, Golden Globe Nominations, Screen Actors Guild Nominations, and Critics Choice Nominations all within the span of 15 days, and that's not to mention smaller critics groups as well.

Today, the NYFCC announced their winners for 2014, and awarded Boyhood for Best Film along with Best Director (Richard Linklater) and Best Supporting Actress (Patricia Arquette)  Other choices that get my full support (because the New York Film Critics Circle deeply cares about my opinion) are J.K. Simmons for Best Supporting Actor (Whiplash), The LEGO Movie for Best Animated Feature, and The Babadook for Best First Film.  Hit the jump for the full list of winners, and remember if you want to keep up with the state of the awards race, be sure to read Adam's regular column, Oscar Beat.

Via NYFCC.

Best Film: Boyhood

Best Director: Richard Linklater (Boyhood)

Best Actor: Timothy Spall (Mr. Turner)

Best Actress: Marion Cotillard (The Immigrant and Two Days, One Night)

Best Supporting Actor: J.K. Simmons (Whiplash)

Best Supporting Actress: Patricia Arquette (Boyhood)

Best Foreign-Language Film: Ida (Poland, dir. Pawel Pawlikowski

Best Animated Film: The LEGO Movie (dirs. Phil Lord & Christopher Miller)

Best First Film: The Babadook (dir. Jennifer Kent)

Best Non-Fiction Film (Documentary): Citizenfour (dir. Laura Poitras)

Best Screenplay: The Grand Budapest Hotel (writer Wes Anderson)

Best Cinematography: Darius Khondji (The Immigrant)

Special Award: Adrienne Mencia