Tonight, the Independent Filmmaker Project (IFP) held the 20th Anniversary Gotham Independent Film Awards ceremony in New York City’s Cipriani Wall Street. The winners were comprised mostly of films which played earlier this year at the Sundance Film Festival. A total of 30 films received nominations in seven competitive categories, including: Best Feature, Best Documentary, Breakthrough Director, Breakthrough Actor, Best Ensemble Performance, Festival Genius Audience Award and Best Film Not Playing at a Theater Near You®. Hit the jump to read the full list of winners and the official press release.
Winners Announced
New York, NY (November 29, 2010) – The Independent Filmmaker Project (IFP), the nation’s oldest and largest organization of independent filmmakers, announced today the winners at the 20th Anniversary Gotham Independent Film Awards ceremony in New York City’s Cipriani Wall Street.
Presented by IFP, the Gotham Independent Film Awards™ is one of the leading awards for independent film and the first major honors of the film awards season. As previously announced, the awards ceremony streamed live in its entirety to a global audience via a partnership with The Big Live, Inc. You can see the show at www.ifp.org.
A total of 30 films received nominations in seven competitive categories, including: Best Feature, Best Documentary, Breakthrough Director, Breakthrough Actor, Best Ensemble Performance, Festival Genius Audience Award and Best Film Not Playing at a Theater Near You®.
For the first time, IFP will honor the recipient of the Best Film Not Playing at a Theater Near You award with a theatrical release package so the winner WILL show at a Theater Near You. The package includes a one-week run at Cinema Village in New York City, distribution consultation and market strategy from CrowdStarter, advertising support in the New York Times, publicity consultation from Donna Daniels PR and a cash award of $15,000 from The Royal Bank of Canada.
In addition to the competitive awards, career tributes were given to actors Robert Duvall and Hilary Swank (Swank tribute sponsored by euphoria Calvin Klein), director Darren Aronofsky and Focus Features CEO, James Shamus.
The 20th Anniversary Gotham Independent Film Award™ Recipients:
Best Feature presented by actors Steve Buscemi and Melissa Leo.
WINTER’S BONE
Directed by Debra Granik; Produced by Anne Rosellini and Alix Madigan-Yorkin
Released by Roadside Attractions
The Best Feature Jury included: actors Ethan Hawke and Parker Posey; producer Christine Vachon; director Melvin Van Peebles and editor Tricia Cooke.
Best Documentary presented by actor Sam Rockwell and documentarian Barbara Kopple
THE OATH
Directed and produced by Laura Poitras
Released by Zeitgeist Films and American Documentary/POV
The Best Documentary Jury included: actor Alec Baldwin; composer Terence Blanchard; documentarians Barbara Kopple and Robert Kenner and editor Mary Lampson
Breakthrough Director Award presented by actors Julianna Margulies and Paul Rudd
KEVIN ASCH
Writer and director, HOLY ROLLERS
Released by First Independent Pictures
The Breakthrough Director Jury included: actor Zooey Deschanel; cinematographer Maryse Alberti; composer Carter Burwell; producer Frida Torresblanco.
Breakthrough Actor Award presented by actors Michelle Williams and Jesse Eisenberg
RONALD BRONSTEIN
Actor, DADDY LONGLEGS
Released by IFC Films
The Breakthrough Actor Jury included: actor Josh Brolin; filmmakers David Gordon Green and Peter Sollett; actress Amber Tamblyn; and producer Monty Ross.
