The National Board of Review Names Spike Lee’s “Da 5 Bloods” 2020's Best Film

Thursday, Jan 28, 2021

“Da 5 Bloods” Photo Courtesy of Netflix

“Da 5 Bloods” Photo Courtesy of Netflix

The National Board of Review put Grad Film projects in the spotlight by honoring our incredible alumni’s recent features.

Professor Spike Lee’s Netflix film Da 5 Bloods was named 2020’s Best Film, which also won Lee Best Director. The film has received more than 80 nominations since it’s release in June of 2020, including 23 wins from the New York Film Critics Circle, Hollywood Critics Association, and other major associations.

Alum Joshua James Richards was recognized with Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography for Nomadland. This prestigious award has been known to predict the Oscar’s Best Cinematography winner, as was the case with last year’s honoree Roger Deakins for 1917.

Further praise for Nomadland went to alum Chloe Zhao, as the Board named her film a Top Film of 2020.

Miss Juneteenth”was recognized as a Top 10 Independent Film of 2020, which was DPd by alum Daniel Patterson. Patterson has been singled out for his contributions to the film, praised for “filming the characters with grace…[which] gives the town depth and makes it welcoming.”

Read more at The Hollywood Reporter.