San Diego Film Critics Society Best of 2001

"Ghost World," the offbeat story of two teen friends dealing with real-world issues after high school, was chosen Tuesday as best film of 2001 by the San Diego Film Critics Society.

The society, comprising print, television, radio and Internet film critics working in San Diego County, chose "Ghost World" director Terry Zwigoff as best director, and the film's star Thora Birch as best actress. Daniel Clowes, who wrote the screenplay based on his comic book of the same name, won honors for best adapted screenplay.

Guy Pearce, who played the confused protagonist in "Memento," was chosen as best actor by the critics. Best supporting actor honors went to Ben Kingsley, the swaggering gangster in "Sexy Beast," while Naomi Watts was chosen as best supporting actress for her role in the noir drama "Mulholland Drive."

Richard Kelly, who wrote the fantasy thriller "Donnie Darko," was awarded best original screenplay honors, while Roger Deakins was awarded best cinematography honors for his work on the black-and-white film "The Man Who Wasn't There." The critics honored the musical "Moulin Rouge" with best production design honors. "Amelie," from France, was chosen as best foreign language film.

The critics also honored Steve Buscemi for best body of work during 2001, citing his roles in "Ghost World," "Monsters, Inc.," "Double Whammy," "Domestic Disturbance" and "Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within," among other roles.