The National Society of Film Critics picked Ari Folman's animated feature "Vals im Bashir" (Waltz with Bashir) as the best film of the year. Runners-up were Mike Leigh's "Happy-Go-Lucky" and Pixar's animated film "WALL-E."

Mike Leigh also won the awards for best director and best screenplay for "Lucky," while Sally Hawkins won best actres and Eddie Marsan took home best supporting actor.

In the best actor category, Sean Penn emerged as the winner for "Milk," beating Mickey Rourke and Clint Eastwood. Hanna Schygulla was named best supporting actress for her role in "The Edge of Heaven."

Also among the winners were James Marsh, whose "Man on Wire" won best non-fiction film, and Anthony Dod Mantle, who won best cinematographer for "Slumdog Millionaire."