Spotlight shines at Gotham Independent Film Awards

Before the various critics’ awards, the Golden Globes, and the Oscars bring the heavy pomp and circumstance, the Gothams get their moment to spread the love to films that might not otherwise enjoy the spotlight come Oscar day.

Powley, who won over both Cate Blanchett (“Carol“) and Brie Larson (“Room”), credited director Marielle Heller for her breakthrough role: “She’s taught me you don’t need to settle to be someone’s girlfriend in a movie”. “Tangerine” won the audience award at the 2015 Gotham Awards, with the film snagging that award soon after its win for the breakthrough actor award for star Mya Taylor.

But maybe it’s in the best feature competition where we’ll see the overlap; current Oscar frontrunnerSpotlight grabbed the top prize, along with best screenplay honors and a special jury award for ensemble performance.

The ceremony, hosted by the reliably side-splitting Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Glazer of Broad City, reserved its major acting awards for a pair of performers with decidedly leaner Oscar chances.

“They have proven that trans talent is out there”, said Baker, accepting the award for Taylor, whom he said missed her flight.

An untelevised event with a loose vibe-it was as easy to get up and chat with John Slattery during the 15-minute break for dinner as it was to make your way to the bar-the Gothams gave over much of the evening to the tributes, which included producer Steve Golin and director Todd Haynes in addition to Redford and Mirren. “That’s really the only thing I’m thinking about”. “I realized that when you have success, you want to be a little careful because success has two sides to it. For me, success wasn’t something to embrace but to shadow box with”.

Jury members for the Independent Filmmaker Project (IFP) organisation handed out two new awards, with the Breakthrough Series: Short Form going to web series Shugs & Fats, and sci-fi TV series Mr. Robot landing the Breakthrough Series: Long Form prize.

Also of particular note: The Look of Silence, Joshua Oppenheimer’s astonishing companion piece to his 2013 feature The Act of Killing (inexcusably edged out of the Oscars by the feel-good 20 Feet from Stardom), took the Best Documentary award.