Films once again will be the sole focus of the Gotham Awards for the first time in a decade, following the launch of the inaugural Gotham TV Awards in June. The separation will allow more filmmakers to be recognized at the 34th annual ceremony, which customarily will be held Dec. 2 at Cipriani Wall Street in New York, says Jeffrey Sharp, executive director of the Gotham Film & Media Institute.
That includes the revival of the breakthrough performer category and the addition of a best director award as the organization bolsters its commitment to celebrating independent films in what continues to be a tumultuous time for the entertainment industry.
“A lot of the organizations and companies that weren’t able to participate last year [following COVID and the strikes] because it was such a tough year are back, so the room is going to be full of our community again,” says Sharp. “This is going to be a very special night.”
The event’s date is rather serendipitous as Maria Callas, whom Angelina Jolie plays in the upcoming biographical drama Maria, was born on Dec. 2, 1923. Jolie is set to receive the Performer Tribute during the awards in honor of her portrayal of the renowned opera singer.
“The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival this year, and it was such an extraordinary moment with Pablo Larraín, and it being third in this kind of trilogy of female characters of the 20th century,” says Sharp, referencing Larraín’s previous films Jackie (about Jacqueline Kennedy) and Spencer (Princess Diana). “To be able to honor Maria and Angelina, who gives this extraordinary performance, felt like such an important moment for the show.”
Also set to be honored is the cast of Sing Sing, which will receive the Social Justice Tribute for its telling of the true-life story of the Rehabilitation Through the Arts program at the New York prison. “The way the film was produced, all of the participants have a profit participation in the film,” explains Sharp. “It was a unique way of thinking about how to finance a film and compensate your production team and your cast. It felt like such a great example of independent voices coming together.”
The cast of The Piano Lesson, the forthcoming adaptation of August Wilson’s 1987 play, will be presented with the Ensemble Tribute, and Franklin Leonard, founder of The Black List, will receive the Anniversary Tribute, marking 20 years of the writer platform. “The work of The Black List is so tied to what the Gotham supports around resources and access, especially for screenwriters,” says deputy director Kia Brooks. “These types of tributes are a really great way to show what’s happening in the industry on a larger scale and how important these moments are for people like Franklin and all the creators that he’s touched over the years.”
For the first time ever, the ceremony will be broadcast live in 61 local television markets through a partnership with Tegna, giving films like Anora and I Saw the TV Glow, which lead in Gotham nods, widespread attention. “It’s really exciting when you think about some of the smaller films and filmmakers who are not household names that are all of a sudden going to be able to reach audiences in ways that the Gotham Awards has never been able to do before,” explains Sharp. “Audiences who I hope over the holidays will be going to their theaters to buy tickets to some of these films.”
Sharp also promises a fun experience for guests attending the awards in person — a highlight being the open bar throughout the entirety of the show. “It’s always about the energy in the room,” he says. “I’m going to go out on a limb and say part of that energy is due to having the best food of the whole awards show circuit,” he says, teasing a menu of steak and chocolate cake this time around. “We’re going to be super decadent. We feel like it’s the biggest party of the year for New York and the industry here, so we want to celebrate in style.”
Doubling down on the chance to steal some of Los Angeles’ movie magic, Sharp adds: “It’s the only night that New York gets to celebrate film. It is the New York Oscars.”
This story appeared in the Nov. 20 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Click here to subscribe.
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