| Our organization is the second oldest professional film critics' association in the United States. Founded by Dr. James Loutzenhiser in 1966 as the Kansas City Film Circle Awards, the KCFCC is younger only than the New York Film Critics Circle. As of 2010, the KCFCC had 26 active members representing print, radio, television and online media outlets. After Dr. Loutzenhiser's death in 2001, the membership voted unanimously to rename its annual awards in his honor. In 2005, a new award was established in memory of longtime KCFCC member Vince Koehler, honoring outstanding science fiction, fantasy and horror films. In 2006, the group voted to honor Kansas City native Robert Altman by renaming its Best Director award after him and organizing a film festival in April 2007. The KCFCC meets formally twice a year. The first meeting is held in early January and includes the awards vote; participation (either in person or by proxy) is mandatory for all members. The second meeting is held to induct new members and elect officers and the Governing Committee. This is usually held in late spring or early summer. All KCFCC votes are open to all members, except those who have been suspended for rules and ethics violations. Our method of choosing awards recipients may be unique among film critics' groups. Members nominate up to three contenders in each category in advance, and a show-of-hands vote on all listed nominees (followed by any necessary run-offs) determines the winners. Members may nominate from the floor, so long as they vote for that nominee, and may also make arguments for or against certain nominees prior to each vote. Any film that either opened in Kansas City, screened for critics or was provided to critics via video/DVD screeners in the calendar year prior to the vote is eligible for consideration. New members must be sponsored by a current member, who provides evidence of that individual's qualifications at the membership meeting. A simple majority vote determines inclusion of a new member. Candidates for the 7-member Governing Committee submit themselves for nomination in advance, and are voted on by paper ballot. Officers - President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer - are then chosen from the committee, also by popular vote. Nominees for the committee/officer positions must have been KCFCC members for at least 3 years prior to the vote. Governing Committee meetings and informal gatherings of all KCFCC members are held at various times throughout the year, at the discretion of the officers. KCFCC Award Winners |
| History of the KCFCC |
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