"Finding Neverland" is Named the Best Film of 2004

New York, NY, December 1, 2004 – The National Board of Review of Motion Pictures named "Finding Neverland" 2004 Best Film of the Year. The film imagines how the famous writer, J.M. Barrie, derived the inspiration for his legendary play Peter Pan.

NATIONAL BOARD OF REVIEW'S BEST OF 2004

TOP TEN FILMS OF 2004:
1) "Finding Neverland"
2) "The Aviator"
3) "Closer"
4) "Million Dollar Baby"
5) "Sideways"
6) "Kinsey"
7) "Vera Drake"
8) "Ray"
9) "Collateral"
10) "Hotel Rwanda"

TOP FIVE FOREIGN FILMS OF 2004:
1) "The Sea Inside"
2) "Bad Education"
3) "Maria Full of Grace"
4) "Les Choristes"
5) "The Motorcycle Diaries"

TOP FIVE DOCUMENTARIES OF 2004:
1) "Born into Brothels"
2) "Z Channel: A Magnificent Obsession"
3) "Paper Clips"
4) "Supersize Me"
5) "The Story of the Weeping Camel"

Best Film: "Finding Neverland"

Best Foreign Language Film: "The Sea Inside"

Best Documentary: "Born into Brothels"

Best Animated Feature: "The Incredibles"

Best Actor: Jamie Foxx, "Ray"

Best Actress: Annette Bening, "Being Julia"

Best Supporting Actor: Thomas Haden Church, "Sideways"

Best Supporting Actress: Laura Linney, "Kinsey"

Best Acting by an Ensemble: "Closer"

Breakthrough Performance Actor: Topher Grace, "In Good Company" and "P.S."

Breakthrough Performance Actress: Emmy Rossum, "The Phantom of the Opera"

Best Director: Michael Mann, "Collateral"

Best Directorial Debut: Zach Braff, "Garden State"

Best Adapted Screenplay: "Sideways," Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor

Best Original Screenplay: "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," Charlie Kaufman

Outstanding Production Design: "House of Flying Daggers"

Career Achievement: Jeff Bridges

Special Filmmaking Achievement: Clint Eastwood, for producing, directing, acting, and composing the score of "Million Dollar Baby"

William K Everson Award for Film History: Richard Schickel

Producers Award: Jerry Bruckheimer

Special Recognition of Films that Reflect the Freedom of Expression:
"Fahrenheit 9/11," "The Passion of the Christ," "Conspiracy of Silence"

Special Mention for Excellence in Filmmaking:
The National Board of Review, in keeping with its long tradition of recognizing excellence in filmmaking, is proud to salute the following films, crafted by visionary artists which demonstrate the creativity and determination which have always been vital to the film industry: (Listed alphabetically)

"The Assassination of Richard Nixon"
"Before Sunset"
"The Door in the Floor"
"Enduring Love"
"Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind"
"Facing Windows"
"Garden State"
"A Home at the End of the World"
"Imaginary Heroes"
"Since Otar Left"
"Stage Beauty"
"Undertow"
"The Woodsman"

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY NATIONAL BOARD OF REVIEW OF MOTION PICTURES