Mad Max: Fury Road named NBR film of the year

The National Board of Review has named their best film of 2015, and it's Mad Max Fury Road.

The organisation was formed more than a century ago in 1909 with the purpose of endorsing films of particular merit as the art of cinema was emerging. It's based in New York, and over 100 members are sent out ballot forms once a year to make this important decision.

The choice of Fury Road is a significant one, not least because it's an over the top action film, the kind of genre which rarely places on any kind of official list. That could see the film in with a fighting chance for at least a Best Film Oscar nomination, though we're pretty sure it can't win.

They also give out a host of other awards for acting, animation and more, as well as highlighting a longer list of the best films, foreign language titles, documentaries and indies.

The Martian figures highly, taking best director, best actor and best adapted screenplay, and the popular title could well turn up as several award shows in the months to come.

There are also a lot of productions which we've yet to see across the pond - Brie Larson gets best actress for Room, and Quentin Tarantino's The Hateful Eight picks up best original screenplay and best actress for Jennifer Jason Leigh.

Nowhere on the list will you find The Revenant, let's see how that pans out when the film finally arrives.

Here's the full list, all hail the Fury Road!

Best Film: Mad Max: Fury Road

Best Director: Ridley Scott – The Martian

Best Actor: Matt Damon – The Martian

Best Actress: Brie Larson – Room

Best Supporting Actor: Sylvester Stallone – Creed

Best Supporting Actress: Jennifer Jason Leigh – The Hateful Eight

Best Original Screenplay: Quentin Tarantino – The Hateful Eight

Best Adapted Screenplay: Drew Goddard – The Martian

Best Animated Feature: Inside Out

Breakthrough Performance: Abraham Attah – Beasts of No Nation & Jacob Tremblay – Room

Best Directorial Debut: Jonas Carpignano – Mediterranea

Best Foreign Language Film: Son of Saul

Best Documentary: Amy

William K. Everson Film History Award: Cecilia De Mille Presley

Best Ensemble: The Big Short

Spotlight Award: Sicario, for Outstanding Collaborative Vision

NBR Freedom of Expression Award:Beasts of No Nation & Mustang

Top Films: Bridge of Spies, Creed, The Hateful Eight, Inside Out Spotlight, The Martian, Room, Sicario, Straight Outta Compton.

Top 5 Foreign Language Films: Goodnight Mommy Mediterranea Phoenix The Second Mother The Tribe

Top 5 Documentaries: Best of Enemies The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution The Diplomat Listen to Me Marlon The Look of Silence

Top 10 Independent Films ’71 45 Years Cop Car Ex Machina Grandma It Follows James White Mississippi Grind Welcome to Me While We’re Young