How the film poll works:

This year, 95 critics from across the country voted for their favorite films, performances, and filmmakers in 12 categories. For six of those categories (Best Film of the Year, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Undistributed Film), critics had the option to either "rank" or "unrank" their votes. For example, in the Best Film category, where ten votes are possible, a ranked ballot's #1 choice was awarded 10 points, the #2 choice nine points, etc. If a voter only listed eight films, the #1 film was awarded eight points, the #2 film seven points, etc. On ballots designated as "unranked," films were awarded five points each, and performances two points. Ties of any kind were not allowed.

For a film to be eligible in this year's poll, it must have opened commercially for the first time in the U.S. since January 1, 2011, or be scheduled to open between now and December 31, 2011. The rule of this poll is simple: A film is eligible only in the year that it was first distributed in the U.S.

For the category of Best Undistributed Film, only those films from the past 12 months that have yet to secure a theatrical distributor were eligible (as opposed to those films with distributors that simply won't be released until next year).

See: Simple!