New York Film Critics Circle 2015: Carol bags 4 awards including best picture

Carol, a film about two lesbian lovers played by Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara, is making waves and winning accolades right from the start of the awards season.

The Todd Haynes-directed film picked up four awards at the New York Film Critics Circle Awards held on 2 December. These included best picture, best director, best screenplay (Phyllis Nagy) and best cinematographer (Edward Lachman).

The award for best actor went to Michael Keaton for his role in Spotlight. Keaton plays investigative journalist Walter V Robinson made famous for his coverage of the Roman Catholic clergy sexual abuse scandal.

Saoirse Ronan was selected as best actress of 2015 for her role as an Irish immigrant who moves to America, in the period drama Brooklyn.

Kirsten Stewart won best supporting actress for her role in Clouds Of Sils Maria and Mark Rylance's role in Bridge Of Spies earned him best supporting actor.

Pixar's Inside Out took home the best animated film award, while In Jackson Heights won in the best non-fiction film (documentary) category. László Nemes' Sons Of Saul was named best first film and Timbuktu won for the best foreign language film. Special awards went out to William Becker and Janus Films, and composer Ennio Morricone.