A column chronicling events and conversations on the awards circuit. Even as people are still drifting back slowly from the holiday break, and Chanukah actually just celebrated its eighth and final night,

The actor's performance as a depressed, caustic Londoner in 'Hard Truths' could put her back in the Academy Awards race.

Marianne Jean-Baptiste on sinking her teeth into challenging 'Hard Truths' role. She describes her collaboration with director Mike Leigh as 'terrifying, exhilarating, exciting, creative.' Gold Derby senior editor Daniel Montgomery hosts this webchat.