At the 2024 Gotham Awards, US actor Colman Domingo took home the top acting prize for his powerful performance in Sing Sing, marking an important milestone in the awards season as the race for the Oscars heats up.
Domingo’s portrayal of Divine G, a man wrongfully imprisoned who finds purpose through a performing arts program in a New York prison, earned him widespread acclaim. His win comes as Sing Sing continues to garner attention, offering a poignant narrative about redemption and the transformative power of art. The win also places Domingo in the spotlight as one of the leading contenders in this year’s awards race.
In a surprising yet well-deserved win, the top prize for Best Feature went to A Different Man, a thought-provoking and unique film that explores the life of a man with neurofibromatosis, a condition that causes disfiguring facial tumors.
The film follows his decision to undergo a radical surgery to change his appearance, only to face a profound crisis of identity and self-worth. The film’s exploration of transformation and acceptance resonated deeply with audiences, securing its place as one of the standout films of the year.
A Different Man beat out strong competition from films like Anora and Babygirl, both of which are expected to remain in the conversation as potential Oscar contenders.
The Gotham Awards are known for their support of independent films and have been a key part of the early awards season. While they may not have the same level of influence as larger ceremonies like the Golden Globes or the Oscars, the Gothams provide important early momentum for films vying for recognition.
This year, the event made headlines by merging gendered acting categories, with all of the acting winners being men. This decision highlights the ongoing evolution of the awards circuit and offers a glimpse into the shifting dynamics of recognition in the film industry.
As the awards season continues, the next major milestone will be the announcement of the Golden Globe nominations on December 9. The Oscars race, still wide open, has several strong contenders vying for Best Picture, but no clear frontrunner has emerged as of yet.
Sing Sing, which premiered at the Toronto Film Festival in 2023 before its delayed release this summer, is a strong contender with Domingo’s performance at the forefront. The film’s exploration of wrongful imprisonment and the redemptive power of theatre has captured the hearts of many, with Domingo’s moving portrayal of Divine G being a major highlight.
In his acceptance speech, Domingo expressed his gratitude, saying, “I’m just very grateful for this, to be seen in this way, to do the work that my heart desires, and my soul desires, making work that I truly believe can make a difference in this world.”
He also took the opportunity to thank the film’s director, writer, and producer, saying, “They invited me to bring my whole self, to help tell the story of these men that I care so deeply about.”
Domingo reflected on the transformative power of art, noting, “They found art to be the parachute that can save them, and they poured themselves into it, and it poured back into them.” His heartfelt words underscored the personal connection he felt to the film’s themes of redemption and artistic expression.
Sing Sing also featured Clarence Maclin, a former inmate of Sing Sing prison, who portrayed a version of himself in the film. Maclin’s performance earned him the Best Supporting Actor award at the Gothams, further solidifying the film’s impact and the depth of its storytelling.
The event also honored the talented A Different Man director Aaron Schimberg, who expressed his shock and gratitude upon receiving the Best Feature award. Meanwhile, other notable winners included RaMell Ross, who took home the Best Director award for Nickel Boys, and Brandon Wilson, who won Best Breakthrough Performer for his role in the same film.
Nickel Boys, based on Colson Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, follows the intense friendship between two boys at a brutal reform school in Florida, and Ross’s innovative storytelling techniques were a key factor in the film’s recognition.
In addition to the acting and directing awards, the Gothams also acknowledged His Three Daughters, which won the Best Screenplay award. This film, which revolves around three women coming together to care for their dying father, explores complex familial relationships with emotional depth and insight.
Its screenplay, lauded for its authenticity and poignancy, stands out as one of the year’s finest. The Gotham Awards, while often overshadowed by other ceremonies later in the season, continue to play an important role in shaping the conversation around independent cinema, offering recognition and support to deserving films and filmmakers as they head into the final stretch of awards season.
The ceremony was a star-studded event with heartfelt tributes to some of the industry’s brightest talents, including director Denis Villeneuve and actors Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, and Angelina Jolie.
British actor Josh O’Connor, who starred alongside Zendaya in Challengers, presented her with the Spotlight Award, likening her to icons like the late Dame Maggie Smith and praising her ability to use “authenticity as a superpower” while seamlessly transitioning from child stardom.
Accepting the honor, Zendaya expressed her gratitude, saying, “My character is only an amalgamation of the beautiful ideas of the amazing creative people around me.” She added, “I love what I do so much and feel incredibly grateful I get to do this for a living.”
Later in the evening, she returned to the stage to present the Director Tribute Award to Denis Villeneuve, who reflected on his 12 years in the industry, emphasizing his pride in preserving his creative independence and “protecting [his] flame.”
Another highlight of the evening was Oscar Isaac presenting Timothée Chalamet and director James Mangold with the Visionary Award for their work on A Complete Unknown, a biopic about Bob Dylan. Chalamet, sporting a distinct mustache, described the experience as a profound artistic journey, saying, “Getting to study and immerse myself in the world of Bob Dylan has been the greatest education a young artist can receive.”
Villeneuve’s contributions were further celebrated as his collaborators praised his ability to blend mainstream success with artistic vision, a balance few directors achieve. These accolades were a testament to the powerful narratives and performances shaping the industry, with stars and filmmakers emphasizing their collaborative efforts in bringing these projects to life.
Angelina Jolie, another honoree of the evening, received the Performer Tribute for her recent portrayal of Maria Callas in Maria, which chronicles the opera legend’s final days in 1970s Paris. Reflecting on her roots, Jolie shared a poignant memory of her mother, who kept books in their oven due to a lack of shelves, underscoring the impact of early artistic influences on her career.
She spoke passionately about the importance of arts education, warning against the reduction of such programs in schools and emphasizing their critical role in nurturing creativity. Jolie’s remarks served as a poignant reminder of the broader cultural significance of the arts, adding depth to a night that celebrated excellence and innovation in film.
Full List of the Winners
Best feature
Anora
Babygirl
Challengers
WINNER: A Different Man
Nickel Boys
Outstanding lead performance
Pamela Anderson, The Last Showgirl
Adrien Brody, The Brutalist
WINNER: Colman Domingo, Sing Sing
Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Hard Truths
Nicole Kidman, Babygirl
Keith Kupferer, Ghostlight
Mikey Madison, Anora
Demi Moore, The Substance
Saoirse Ronan, The Outrun
Justice Smith, I Saw the TV Glow
Outstanding supporting performance
Yura Borisov, Anora
Kieran Culkin, A Real Pain
Danielle Deadwyler, The Piano Lesson
Brigette Lundy-Paine, I Saw the TV Glow
Natasha Lyonne, His Three Daughters
WINNER: Clarence Maclin, Sing Sing
Katy O’Brian, Love Lies Bleeding
Guy Pearce, The Brutalist
Adam Pearson, A Different Man
Brian Tyree Henry, The Fire Inside
Best director
Payal Kapadia, All We Imagine as Light
Sean Baker, Anora
Guan Hu, Black Dog
Jane Schoenbrun, I Saw the TV Glow
WINNER: RaMell Ross, Nickel Boys
Best international feature
WINNER: All We Imagine as Light
Green Border
Hard Truths
Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell
Vermiglio
Best documentary feature
Dahomey
Intercepted
WINNER: No Other Land
Soundtrack to a Coup d’Etat
Sugarcane
Union
Best screenplay
Between the Temples
Evil Does Not Exist
Femme
WINNER: His Three Daughters
Janet Planet
Breakthrough director
Shuchi Talati, Girls Will Be Girls
India Donaldson, Good One
Alessandra Lacorazza, In the Summers
WINNER: Vera Drew, The People’s Joker
Mahdi Fleifel, To a Land Unknown
Breakthrough performer
Lily Collias, Good One
Ryan Destiny, The Fire Inside
Maisy Stella, My Old Ass
Izaac Wang, Dìdi
WINNER: Brandon Wilson, Nickel Boys
