The Chicago Film Critics Association (CFCA) is an association of professional film critics, who work in print, broadcast and online media, based in Chicago, Illinois, United States. The organization was founded in 1990 by film critics Sharon LeMaire and Sue Kiner, following the success of the first Chicago Film Critics Awards given out in 1988. The association comprises 60 members. Since 1989, the CFCA has given out annual awards that recognize the best films in a variety of categories. These awards are noted in the established print media such as Variety and The Hollywood Reporter. The association has also hosted the annual Chicago Critics Film Festival since 2013, which intends to bring a number of feature and short films to a larger audience. Membership The Chicago Film Critics Association restricts its membership to professional film critics, who have been employed in the media as a "critical voice or staff authority" on the subject of the cinema for six months. Applicants for membership in the CFCA must provide a letter signed by a producer or editor showing they have been in paid employment as a critic, as well as examples of published work. Applicants must also reside in the Chicago area. By 2004, the CFCA had just over 40 members and now comprises over 60. Its membership includes writers for such film-related websites and print media as Ain't It Cool News, The A.V. Club, Chicago Sun-Times, Daily Herald, Consequence of Sound, Paste, RogerEbert.com and eFilmCritic.com. Chicago Film Critics Awards The Chicago Film Critics Awards (also known as the Chicago Flames) have been held annually since 1988 and recognise achievement in film making and acting performances. The first awards were compiled by the CFCA's founders and were not presented in a ceremony. In the past, winners received a glass Chicago Flame trophy, which featured an etching of the Chicago skyline created by artist Josef Puehringer. In 2019, following the death of longtime CFCA member Milos Stehlik, the organization's Most Promising Filmmaker award was renamed in his honor to the Milos Stehlik Breakthrough Filmmaker Award. Current award categories Best Actor Best Actress Best Adapted Screenplay (2006–) Best Animated Film (2007–) Best Art Direction (2012–) Best Cinematography (1990–93, 1995–) Best Director Best Documentary (2001–) Best Editing (2012–) Best Film Best Foreign Language Film Best Original Score (1993–) Best Original Screenplay (2006–) Best Supporting Actor Best Supporting Actress Milos Stehlik Breakthrough Filmmaker Award (2019–) Most