Kristen Stewart Receives NYFCC Award for ‘Clouds of Sils Maria’: Actress Feels Validation

Kristen Stewart started the New Year off with a feeling of professional pride. At the recent New York Film Critics Circle Award ceremony, held at New York's Tao Downtown, the 25-year-old won the Best Supporting Actress award for her role in the drama Clouds of Sils Marie. Her character, Valentine, plays the assistant to a film actress, portrayed by Oscar winner Juliette Binoche.

According to Variety, after being introduced by her Still Alice co-star, Oscar winner Julianne Moore, Stewart took the stage and gave a short but poignant speech. "It means a lot to receive this from you. I've received a lot of MTV Popcorns and stuff like that, this is a little different," said Stewart before adding, "The movie is thoughtful and quiet and kind of diagonal and not extreme in any way, it came out a year ago. This is nuts."

Stewart's comment was obviously a reference to the many accolades she won as Bella Swan in the Twilight saga, which included several MTV Movie Awards that are shaped like the aforementioned popcorn holders and Kid's Choice Awards, which are shaped like little blimps.

Of course, the Snow White and the Huntsman actress has portrayed many other significant protagonists including rock legend Joan Jett in the bio-pic The Runaways as well as the prostitute/stripper Mallory in Welcome to the Rileys, where she played opposite Golden Globe winner James Gandolfini and Oscar winner Melissa Leo. However, her recent role in the limited released Cannes favorite is her first validation of what some would call serious honors. 

In addition to the NYFCC, Stewart's portrayal of Valentine has also won her the Boston Society of Film Critics (BSFC) Award, the Florida Film Critics Circle (FFCC) Award, the Indiewire Critic's Poll (ICP) Award and France's coveted Cesar Award, making her the first American actress to win what is known as the French Oscar.  Ironically, as this is the last week before our Oscar nominations are decided, Stewart's current win could be good timing for that as well. She is also currently filming a movie based on the life of the infamous murder defendant Lizzie Borden and is set to star in an upcoming Woody Allen film.