The 2024 Gotham Awards took place at New York’s Cipriani Wall Street on Monday night, celebrating the best in independent film with a night of surprises and heartfelt speeches. Aaron Schimberg’s A Different Man won Best Feature, while Nickel Boys and Sing Sing each secured two awards, highlighting a night of standout achievements in storytelling.
A Different Man Takes Top Honors
Director Aaron Schimberg, visibly surprised by his film’s victory, accepted the Best Feature award for A Different Man. The film, which stars Sebastian Stan and Adam Pearson, triumphed over strong competition, including Sean Baker’s Anora, which led the night with four nominations but left empty-handed.
“I thought it would be hubris to even consider preparing a speech,” Schimberg admitted, before thanking the Gothams and his team. “I really didn’t see this as a possibility.”
Nickel Boys Wins for Best Director and Breakthrough Performer
Nickel Boys, adapted from Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, garnered three nominations and walked away with two wins. RaMell Ross was awarded Best Director, and newcomer Brandon Wilson earned the Breakthrough Performer award.
Wilson’s win surprised even his co-star and presenter Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, who was audibly shocked when announcing his name. On stage, Wilson shared an endearing moment, removing his shoes to match Ellis-Taylor’s barefoot appearance, and expressed gratitude for the honor.
Sing Sing Captures Lead and Supporting Performance Awards
Sing Sing was another standout, taking home awards for both Lead Performance (Colman Domingo) and Supporting Performance (Clarence Maclin). Domingo, who also presented the film’s Social Justice Tribute, spoke passionately about the collaborative spirit behind the movie.
“We have collaborated collectively in a way where we cannot tell where one person’s work ends and another’s begins,” Domingo said. He highlighted the film’s egalitarian pay structure, where all contributors, from crew members to the lead actor, received the same wage.
“This approach is a light in the darkness of our industry,” he noted, emphasizing the importance of equity and collaboration in independent filmmaking.
Other Highlights and Tributes
While some films, like Babygirl and I Saw the TV Glow, went home without awards, the evening also included numerous special tributes:
- Angelina Jolie received the Performer Tribute for her role in Maria.
- Zendaya was honored with the Spotlight Tribute for her work in Challengers.
- Denis Villeneuve was celebrated with the Director Tribute for Dune: Part Two.
- Timothée Chalamet and James Mangold shared the Visionary Tribute for A Complete Unknown.
- The Piano Lesson received the Ensemble Tribute.
Jolie’s emotional acceptance speech acknowledged Maria Callas, the real-life figure she portrays in Maria, and paid tribute to her mother for inspiring her love of the arts. “Art is a way we come together to laugh, understand, and know each other,” Jolie said, expressing concern over the diminishing presence of arts education in schools.
Zendaya, praised by her Challengers co-star Josh O’Connor for her “shape-shifting versatility,” took the stage with characteristic humility. “We hate giving each other compliments,” she joked. Reflecting on her passion for acting, Zendaya thanked her collaborators and lauded MGM for ensuring Challengers was released in theaters, emphasizing the importance of the moviegoing experience.
Denis Villeneuve: A Visionary Filmmaker
The Director Tribute went to Denis Villeneuve, honored for his masterful work on Dune: Part Two and a career of visionary storytelling. Zendaya, who worked with Villeneuve on Dune, praised him as a “generous visionary” who grounds his epic tales in deeply human stories.
Jake Gyllenhaal, Villeneuve’s collaborator on Enemy, delivered a heartfelt tribute, describing him as an “artist with a fundamentally optimistic outlook who’s not afraid of the dark...a beautiful, gifted, Canadian unicorn.”
Villeneuve reflected on the advice he received from Martin Scorsese before embarking on his Hollywood journey: “Stay intact.” Thanking his “guardian angels,” including his agent and his wife, Villeneuve credited them with helping him maintain his creative integrity.
A Celebration of Independent Film
The 2024 Gotham Awards reaffirmed the power of independent filmmaking to tell diverse, compelling stories. Whether through A Different Man’s surprise triumph, Nickel Boys’ poignant performances, or Sing Sing’s innovative approach to equity, the evening showcased the creativity and resilience of the indie film world.
As Domingo remarked about Sing Sing, “When the film succeeds, we all succeed.” It’s a sentiment that resonated throughout a night dedicated to collaboration, passion, and the enduring magic of cinema.
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