The 20th annual Gotham Independent Film Awards were held on Monday night in New York, and the winner was a big surprise to many. Winter’s Bone played at festivals and in limited release earlier this year to rave reviews, but since then it had virtually dropped off the radar. Monday night the film snagged Best Feature Film at the award ceremony. Darren Aronofsky’s Black Swan was heavily favored to win.
This year the Gotham Awards were hosted by Patricia Clarkson and Stanley Tucci, who appeared as a married couple in Easy A this year, with Emma Stone.
In addition to best feature, the film snagged Best Ensemble Performance, but star Jennifer Lawrence failed to take home the award for Best Breakout Actor. That honor went to Ronald Bronstein, from Daddy Longlegs. Best Breakout Director was also an upset. Lena Durham (Tiny Furniture) was favored to win, but the honor went to Kevin Asch (Holy Rollers).
Other notable awards include the following:
- Best Documentary The Oath, directed by Laura Poitras.
- Best Film Not Playing at a Theater Near You Littlerock, directed by Mike Ott.
- Festival Genius Audience Award Waiting For Superman, directed by Davis Guggenheim.
The Gotham Awards are considered one of the early awards predictors for the Oscars. Last year The Hurt Locker won Best Feature Film and Best Ensemble Performance, and went on to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards.
The show also took time to honor Anne Hathaway, Hilary Swank, and Robert Duvall.
[via Indie Wire]
