Award season is quickly approaching, and the Michigan Movie Critics Guild (MMCG) is ready to celebrate cinematic excellence. First starting in 2023, the MMCG started with 11 members, and has been expanding each year. This year the MMCG is very excited to have added seven new members to the guild, bringing the membership total to 24 members covering a variety of genre and media types throughout the state of Michigan. From websites to newspapers and podcasts to YouTube, they capture the diversity of the field and bring a range of expertise, outlooks, and tastes.
This year’s lineup includes:
- Nate Adams, The Only Critic, and The Clinton Local
- Steven Barton II, Disappointment Media
- Landon Defever, Films for the Void!
- Dalibor Dimovski, Hello Video Games, Indietroit, DaliDimovski and Sidequesting
- Mark Eaton, Movie Reelist
- Becky Fixel, Week99er
- Christopher George, Spoiler Free Movie Sleuth
- Mikel Gojcaj, Reel Reviews
- Seth Hay, Cat with Monocle
- MIchelle Kisner, Spoiler Free Movie Sleuth
- Brian Kitson, BSB Insider
- Jessica Knapik, What’s Up Weirdo Podcast
- Megan Loucks, Wonder Watchlist, WonderMeg, InSession Film, Geek Vibes Nation, Nexus Point News, and The City Pulse
- Jesse McAnally, Broadway Podcast Network
- RJ Miller-Selinko, BSB Insider
- Cherly Murray, Cat with Monocle
- Joshua Polanski, The Rapidian, Klassiki Journal, Midwest Film Journal, In Review Online, Boston Hassle, There Were No Gods Left, Bay Area Reporter
- Tom Santili, Movie Show Plus
- Perry Seibert, WLBY 1290 The Lucy Ann Show and We’re Watching Here Podcast
- MontiLee Stormer, Movie Reelist
- Lee Thomas, WJBK Fox 2 Detroit
- Mike Tyrkus, Cinema Nerdz
- Carl Wheeler, The Reel Godfather
- Chris Williams, Chrisicisms and We Watching Here Podcast
The MMCG is a collective of film critics who are committed to enhancing and furthering the conversation about cinema and further establishing the state’s reputation as a film-loving community. The season will culminate this fall with the announcement of the guild’s selections for the best of the year in movies in a variety of categories, including a Michigan-specific award. The group also hopes to host panels, screenings and other events to commemorate awards season and generate enthusiasm for film across the state.
This year’s award categories will include:
- Best Picture
- Best Director
- Best Actor
- Best Actress
- Best Supporting Actor
- Best Supporting Actress
- Best Animated Film
- Hidden Gems
- Best Ensemble
- Best Screenplay
- Best Cinematography
- Breakthrough
- Best Stunts
- Best Editing
- The MMCG Award for Film Excellence (presented to a filmmaker, writer, actor, crew member etc. who has Michigan ties or to a film made in Michigan)
This year’s voting deadlines, which are subject to change, are:
- Deadline for screening to be eligible: Dec. 2
- Voting:
- Ballots due by 7 p.m. Dec. 3
- Nominations announced Dec. 4
- Ballots for winners due by 5 p.m. Dec. 6
Winners will be announced on the guild’s social media channels and with a press release at noon on Dec. 7
Information about the MMCG and its members is available at its website. For further information or to request member contact information please email michiganmoviecritics@gmail.com.
