On January 8th, 2012, the Kansas City Film Critics Circleannounced its choices for the 45th Annual Loutzenhiser Awards, named for late local critic James Loutzenhiser.
Though the voting of the thirty-plus critics often went to three rounds, the awards for films for 2011:
Best Film:
The Descendants
Robert Altman Award for Best Director:
Terrence Malick - The Tree of Life
Best Actor:
George Clooney - The Descendants
Best Actress:
Kirsten Dunst - Melancholia
Best Supporting Actor:
Christopher Plummer - Beginners
Best Supporting Actress:
Jessica Chastain - The Tree of Life
Best Original Screenplay:
Mike Mills - Beginners
Best Adapted Screenplay:
Steven Zaillian & Aaron Sorkin - Moneyball
Best Animated Film:
Rango
Best Foreign Film:
A Separation (Iran)
Best Documentary:
Cave of Forgotten Dreams
Vince Koehler Award for Best Science Fiction, Fantasy or Horror Film:
Hugo