TheNew York Films Critics Circle (NYFCC), which celebrates its 70th anniversarythis year, will unveil its winners on Dec 13 at the Muse Hotel in New York. Theawards dinner takes place on Jan 9.

'Thoughit has not been an especially good year for film so far - with someobvious exceptions like Eternal Sunshine' - I have high hopes formany of the fall releases,' group chairman Jonathan Foreman said in astatement.

TheNYFCC announcement is a decent awards season bellweather. New Line's TheLord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King was voted best picture last year andwent on to claim the Oscar.

Lastweek IFP/Los Angeles stole a march on rival awards bodies when it said it wouldannounce nominations for the 20th Independent Spirit Awards on Nov 30.