"Mad Max: Fury Road" Named Best Picture of the Year by Georgia Film Critics Association

George Miller's blockbuster wins four total; "Inside Out" wins two, while "Ant-Man" receives Oglethorpe Award for Excellence in Georgia Cinema.

The Georgia Film Critics Association have announced the winners of their 2015 Awards slate. In their 5th year, they have named "Mad Max: Fury Road" the year's best film, taking home Best Picture, Best Director, Best Cinematography and Best Production Design. The haul of four awards is the second highest in the GAFCA's history, second only to the six awards that "The Tree of Life" won in 2011.

"Inside Out" was another big winner, taking home Best Animated Film and Best Original Screenplay for Pete Docter, Meg LeFauve and Josh Cooley. Alicia Vikander also took home two awards, Best Supporting Actress for "Ex Machina" and the Breakthrough Award. Jessica Chastain won the same two awards back in 2011. Also the Breakthrough Award winner in 2013, Brie Larson won Best Actress for "Room." Leonardo DiCaprio won Best Actor for "The Revenant" and Sylvester Stallone was named Best Supporting Actor for "Creed."

It was a tight year in several of the races, with the GAFCA releasing on twitter that the Best Supporting Actor and Best Score races resulted in near-ties and the Best Picture race saw half the nominees receiving several first-place mentions a piece. "Creed" director Ryan Coogler was second place in the Best Director race, despite his film not being a Best Picture nominee.

Best Foreign Film went to "Son of Saul," Best Documentary to "Amy" and Best Ensemble went to Tom McCarthy's "Spotlight." Georgia-lensed "Furious 7" won Best Original Song for "See You Again," performed by Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth.

"Ant-Man" was named as the winner for the 2015 Oglethorpe Award for Excellence in Georgia Cinema. Awarded to the films' directors and writers, previous winners include "John Portman: A Life of Building," "Sahkanaga," "Selma" and "The Spectacular Now."

Check out the full list of winners after the jump.

Georgia Film Critics Association Announces 2015 Nominees

"Mad Max: Fury Road" and "Sicario" lead the pack; "Ex Machina," "Room," "Spotlight" land multiple nominations.

The Georgia Film Critics Association turns 5-years-old this year and has released the nominees for the last year in film. "Mad Max: Fury Road" leads the pack with 7 nominations. "Sicario" landed 6, with "Spotlight" and "Room" each getting 5. "Carol," "Ex Machina" and "The Martian" all earned 4 nominations.

Some surprises include "Me and Earl and the Dying Girl" landing a sole nomination for Best Picture, "The End of the Tour" being honored for Jason Segel and Adapted Screenplay, director Ryan Coogler landing a Best Director nod without "Creed" getting nominated for Best Picture and Rose Byrne showing up in the Best Supporting Actress race for "Spy."

Documentary nominee "The Look of Silence" was also nominated for Best Foreign Film. A voting tie results in the GAFCA's first ever list of 7 nominees for Best Actress. Steven Spielberg's "Bridge of Spies" earned 3 nominations, as did "Star Wars: The Force Awakens."

Georgia-lensed "Furious 7" was nominated for Best Original Song. The Oglethorpe Award for Excellence in Georgia Cinema will be announced with the winners list on Friday. A shortlist of considered films is expected to be released as well.

Several of these films were found on the Georgia film festival circuit this year. "Frame by Frame," "I'll See You in My Dreams," and "Love & Mercy" all played at the Atlanta Film Festival. "45 Years," "Amy," "Anomalisa," "Best of Enemies," "Brooklyn," "Frame by Frame," "The Hunting Ground," "Room," "Son of Saul," "Spotlight" and "Youth" all played at the Savannah Film Festival. Additionally, "Frame by Frame" played at the Macon Film Festival.

Winners will be announced on Friday, January 8th. Check out the full list of nominees after the jump.

The Goods: 20 Should-Be Oscar Contenders from 2015

The year is over. A lot of films have come and gone, but a few managed to stick in our heads for perhaps longer than we expected. Will these titles and their stars pop-up on the Academy's list in a couple weeks? Probably not, but maybe they should! 

We have compiled 20 should-be contenders this awards season. Some of them might surprise you! Who do you think should be in the conversation? Check out our list and leave a comment.

"Room" Review (****½)

Jacob Tremblay and Brie Larson shine in "Room."

"Room" opens with Ma (played by Brie Larson, "Short Term 12,") and Jack (Jacob Tremblay) in the midst of their morning routine. The shots are close and color-muted. The frame is both sharp and unfocused, creating this disorienting, claustrophobic sensation within the viewer. From the very beginning we know that something is wrong, a feeling that I attribute entirely to Stephen Rennick's score and Danny Cohen's cinematography. Ma and Jack stretch; Jack runs back and forth; he takes his vitamins; they eat breakfast. We see bits of the room: a small bed, a bathtub, a toilet, a wardrobe.

What to See at the 2015 Savannah Film Festival

The Savannah Film Festival has a special place in my heart because it was my coverage of the 2011 Savannah Film Festival that really launched Reel Georgia back four years ago. This will be my fifth time attending, and I'm happy that Lucy and Jessica will also be in Georgia's first city with me to cover the 18th annual event.

Opening night selection "Suffragette" and closing night selection "I Saw the Light" prove that Savannah has become a significant stop on the fall festival run. "Brooklyn," "Room," "Spotlight," "Truth" and "Youth" are just a few of the Oscar-bait titles screening at this years festival. A host of lesser profile prestige films, foreign titles and true indies dot the lineup. This really promises to be a great year.

We've highlighted over 30 films for you to check out at this year's festival. I know, that's an outrageous number of films to see in just eight days, but don't blame me—blame Savannah for upping their game!