Adrien Brody and Georgina Chapman dazzled at the NYC Film Awards as L.A. Wildfires rage on.

Hollywood glamour met devastating reality on Wednesday night as stars gathered at the 2025 New York Film Critics Circle Awards at TAO Downtown in Manhattan. The prestigious event, untouched by the chaos engulfing California, honoured the best in cinema while wildfires wreaked havoc on the West Coast.

Adrien Brody, celebrated for his role in The Brutalist, took home the Best Actor award. The film, which also claimed the title of Best Film, tells the harrowing story of a Hungarian Jewish architect rebuilding his life in America after surviving the Holocaust. Brody arrived arm in arm with designer and girlfriend Georgina Chapman, who captivated attendees in a shimmering metallic silver gown.

As awards were handed out and speeches filled the air, the grim reality of the Los Angeles wildfires loomed. The fires, described as some of the worst in recent memory, have claimed lives, destroyed homes, and forced over 30,000 residents to evacuate. Major industry events like the Critics Choice Awards, originally set for January 12, have been postponed, and the BAFTA Tea Party and AFI Awards have been cancelled altogether. Even the Oscars have adjusted their schedule, moving the nomination announcements to January 19.

Despite the sombre backdrop, the NYC Film Critics Circle Awards remained a night to remember. Among the notable winners was Succession star Kieran Culkin, who was awarded Best Supporting Actor for his role in A Real Pain. Claire Danes, who turned heads with a bold dark brown hairstyle, was among the presenters.

Best Actress honours went to Marianne Jean-Baptiste for her powerful performance in Hard Truths, while Carol Kane secured Best Supporting Actress for her role in Between the Temples. RaMell Ross, the visionary director of Nickel Boys, was celebrated as Best Director, solidifying his place as a cinematic force.

The night’s duality—unbridled celebration and underlying tragedy—was unmistakable. While Manhattan’s elite toasted cinematic achievements, Californians faced unimaginable loss. Social media buzzed with both congratulations for the winners and heartfelt messages for wildfire victims.

Adrien Brody acknowledged the grim reality during his acceptance speech, saying, “Art has the power to heal, even in times of unimaginable suffering. My thoughts are with everyone affected by the fires.”

As the 2025 awards season unfolds, it does so under a shadow cast by nature’s fury. The juxtaposition of red-carpet elegance and apocalyptic devastation serves as a stark reminder of life’s unpredictability—and the resilience of communities affected by crisis.