NEW YORK (AP) - "Milk," Gus Van Sant's movie about gay rights leader Harvey Milk starring Sean Penn, has been named best film by the New York Film Critics Circle.

Penn was also chosen as best actor by the critics, who announced their picks Wednesday. "Happy-Go-Lucky" also fared well, winning best director for Mike Leigh and best actress for Sally Hawkins.

The critics circle, which last year chose "No Country For Old Men" as best film, is a group of 33 New York-based critics. Its awards will be handed out Jan. 5 in New York.

By JAKE COYLE AP Entertainment Writer

-Click to View Gallery

© 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.