Anna Kendrick, George Clooney in Up in the Air (Dale Robinette / Paramount)

Up in the Air was the top choice of the Florida Film Critics Circle 2009 awards. Jason Reitman's comedy-drama about an expert corporate downsizer who travels the United States to fire people won a total of three awards; the other two were for Best Director Reitman and Best Actor George Clooney.

Lee Daniels’ Precious also won three awards: a surprising one for Best Actress Gabourey Sidibe, who's usually been listed as a nominee or runner-up; an unsurprising one for Best Supporting Actress Mo'Nique, who has been winning awards left and right; and a more expected mention to Sidibe as the year's breakthrough talent.

Also expected were the following: Cary Fukunaga's Sin Nombre as best foreign language film, Louie Psihoyos' The Cove as best documentary, Up as best animated feature, and Christoph Waltz as best supporting actor for Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds.

According to the Florida critics' press release, the group’s closest competition was for Best Screenplay: (500) Days of Summer's Scott Neustadter and Michael Weber narrowly defeated Reitman and Sheldon Turner’s script for Up in the Air.

One more surprise: Mauro Fiore's Best Cinematography win for James Cameron's futuristic spectacle Avatar. The Hurt Locker's Barry Ackroyd has been getting most of the mentions in that category. Come to think of it, the fact that Kathryn Bigelow's Iraq War drama was completely shut out could be considered a surprise as well.

Founded in 1996, the Florida Film Critics Circle is comprised of 17 writers from state publications. Dan Hudak of hudakonhollywood.com has served as chairman since March 2008. For more information on the FFCC, visit floridafilmcriticscircle.webs.com.

Florida Film Critics Awards 2009

Best Picture: Up In The Air

Best Foreign Language Film: Sin Nombre

Best Documentary: The Cove

Best Animated Feature: Up

Best Director: Jason Reitman, Up In The Air

Best Actor: George Clooney, Up In The Air

Best Actress: Gabourey Sidibe, Precious

Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz, Inglourious Basterds

Best Supporting Actress: Mo'Nique, Precious

Best Screenplay: Scott Neustadter and Michael Weber, (500) Days of Summer

Best Cinematography: Mauro Fiore, Avatar

Pauline Kael Breakout Award: Gabourey Sidibe, Precious