The jury presided by Claude Lelouch awarded the 1999 Grand Prix for the best movie poster to Terence Malick's The Thin Red Line, which was also voted the best poster in the Adventure, Western and War category.
Jean Becker's Les enfants du marais won the distinction in the Psychological Drama category, Derrière by Valerie Lemercier in the Comedy category, A Bug's Life - Children, Matrix -Science Fiction and The Thomas Crown Affair - Detective.
Also on the jury were Claudia Cardinale, Delores Chaplin, Lolita Lempeka and Richard Anconina. Following the awards, those present at the Theatre des Champs Elysées watched the avant-premier of The Sixth Sense starring Bruce Willis.

European Film Awards

European Film Awards
4 December
The European Film Academy awarded its 12th annual Felix Awards in Berlin at the Schiller Theatre. All About My Mother was once again in the spotlight with three awards matched by Sunshine by István Szabó, also winning three.
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BBC/Bafta Lifetime Achievement Tribute

79-year old actor and director Richard Attenborough will be honored for his lifetime's work, broadcast on BBC on December 19. The event is slated to take place at the National Film Theatre in London, hosted by Oscar-winning actor Ben Kingsley.

National Board of Review of Motion Pictures

Sam Mendes' American Beauty is to receive its first award (a favored Oscar pick) as best 1999 movie by the National Board of Review, comprised of critics, students and teachers. Best Director went to Anthony Minghella for The Talented Mr. Ripley, John Irving won the Best Screenplay for The Cider House Rules and top documentary went to Wim Wenders' The Buena Vista Social Club.
The top five in the foreign language category included Pedro Almodovar's All About My Mother (Spain) and Regis Wargnier's East-West (France). Best Actress went to Janet McTeer for her role in Gavin O'Connor's Tumbleweeds and Best Actor to Russell Crowe starring in Michael Mann's The Insider. And finally, Clint Eastwood is to receive a career achievement award and John Frankenheimer the Billy Wilder Award for excellence in directing. The award ceremony is scheduled for January 18, 2000.

NY, LA and Boston Critics make their picks

The New York Film Critics Circle awarded best dramatic feature to Topsy-Turvy by Mike Leigh, Richard Farnsworth best actor for his role in The Straight Story, Hilary Swank best actress for Boys Don't Cry and Spike Jonze won best first film for Being John Malkovich.
The Boston Society of Film Critics named Three Kings best picture as well as the directing honor for David O. Russell. Jim Carrey was named best actor for his portrayal of the late comedian Andy Kaufman in Man on the Moon, Hilary Swank was named best actress for Boys Don't Cry, Being John Malkovich best screenplay, and All About My Mother by Pedro Almodovar best foreign film.
The L.A. critics awarded Michael Mann's The Insider top film of the year, along with best actor for Russell Crowe. Pedro Almodovar's All About My Mother once again took best foreign film, while The Buena Vista Social Club won best documentary. Hilary Swank is winning hands down for best actress in Kim Peirce's Boys Don't Cry.

Vanguard Award

Steven Spielberg is to receive the NAACP's Vanguard Award, honoring entertainment industry persons for their "pioneering courage to promote social justice through their creative endeavors." The 31st award ceremony is set for February 12. The 1998 award went to producer Stanley Kramer.