Moonlight Named Best Picture by National Society of Film Critics

Moonlight is the year's best film, according to the National Society of Film Critics.

The film, which follows a black and gay boy's journey to adulthood in Miami, bested La La Land and Manchester By the Sea for the honor of Best Picture.

Moonlight received a slew of honores from the esteemed organization of film critics. Barry Jenkins won Best Director, and Mahershala Ali triumphed in the Supporting Actor category, reports Deadline. In addition, James Laxton won for Best Cinematography.

Due to its significance, The Advocate named Moonlight as a finalist for its 2016 Person of the Year, a list of those "who were most influential on LGBT lives during the past year." It is the first time a film received this distinction.

"Black gay men rarely get this kind of screen portrayal -- the kind that shows them with haunting and joyful complexity and receives glowing reviews from top critics. It may even find its way to the Academy Awards," the LGBT magazine wrote.

"In a time when so many of the topics addressed by the film -- poverty, the school-to-prison pipeline, homophobia, and school bullying -- remain real issues in vulnerable communities and in America, it is indeed a privilege to have a film like Moonlight. Perhaps its magic will inspire real-life change."

Moonlight is also up for Best Picture in the drama category at tonight's Golden Globe Awards. Its critical praise may also garner it an Academy Award nomination.