Writers at leading UK modelling agency Models Direct have just heard that the New York Film Critics Circle Awards were announced yesterday on Twitter.

Meryl Streep was named best actress for her performance in ‘The Iron Lady’ – where she portrayed former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher – while Brad Pitt scooped best actor for both ‘Moneyball’ and ‘The Tree Of Life’.

This was Brad Pitt’s first best actor win from the New York-based film critics group, but for Meryl Streep, this year will be the fourth time that she has been celebrated as an actress by the organisation, which was founded in 1935.

Other actors who were recognised for their talents this year included Albert Brooks, as best supporting actor for ‘Drive’, and Jessica Chastain, who won best supporting actress for three films; ‘Take Shelter’, ‘The Help’ and ‘The Tree Of Life’.

Black and white film ‘The Artist’ was the big winner of the day; it gained the title of Best Picture, while Michel Hazanavicius won best director for his work on it. ‘The Artist’ is a romantic drama that focuses on the transition – in late 1920s Hollywood – from silent films to ‘talkies’ and the impact of this transition on the lives of two actors, a couple played by Berenice Bejo and Jean Dujardin. There is no doubt that this film is the more ‘arty’ choice from those in the running this year. The New York Film Critics Circle Awards have a reputation for favouring this style of film over the arguably more commercial contenders such as ‘The Descendants’ or ‘Beginners’. Models Direct can’t wait to see how ‘The Artist’ does in the Academy Awards in February!

The New York Film Critics Circle chairman, John Anderson, told Reuters: “It’s a film about film, so it would appeal to the critical sensibility. It’s a movie that celebrates movies but it’s also well done, and it’s upbeat, joyful, and just hard to resist.”

The New York Film Critics Circle Awards:

Best Picture: The Artist
Best Actor: Brad Pitt for Moneyball, and The Tree of Life
Best Supporting Actor: Albert Brooks for Drive
Best Actress: Meryl Streep for The Iron Lady
Best Supporting Actress: Jessica Chastain for The Tree of Life, The Help and Take Shelter
2011 Special Award to be given posthumously to filmmaker Raoul Ruiz
Best Cinematography: Emmanuel Lubezki for The Tree of Life
Best Screenplay: Steven Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin for Moneyball
Best Director: Michel Hazanavicius for The Artist
Best Foreign Language Film: A Separation
Best Nonfiction Film: Cave of Forgotten Dreams
Best First Feature: Margin Call

The awards will be formerly presented at a ceremony due to take place on 9th January 2012.