A Night of Triumph and Tributes at the 2025 Gotham Film Awards
The 2025 Gotham Film Awards celebrated a night filled with both cinematic triumphs and heartfelt tributes, marking a significant moment in the film industry. Among the highlights was the win for Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another, which took home the prestigious best feature award. However, the evening also carried an emotional weight as Jafar Panahi, a prominent Iranian filmmaker, received multiple honors just hours after being sentenced to a year in prison in absentia.
Panahi’s film It Was Just an Accident swept the awards, winning all three categories it was nominated for: best international feature, best director, and best original screenplay. In his acceptance speech for the best original screenplay, Panahi dedicated the award to independent filmmakers around the world who continue to create despite adversity. His words resonated deeply, emphasizing the importance of truth and humanity in storytelling.
In his later speech for best director, Panahi reflected on a student film he had made that didn’t turn out as planned. He shared how he had initially considered destroying the footage but ultimately decided to keep it. “I am happy that I did not destroy my last film and that I am here tonight,” he said, highlighting the resilience and perseverance of artists.
Another notable winner was My Father’s Shadow, which swept its categories, earning both breakthrough director and lead performance awards. Sopé Dìrísù, who won the lead performance, was absent from the ceremony, while the breakthrough director award went to Akinola Davies Jr.
The evening also saw several special tribute honors, celebrating the contributions of various individuals and films. Noah Baumbach received the director tribute for his work on Jay Kelly, with Emily Mortimer and Adam Sandler presenting the honor. Baumbach shared reflections on his career and the importance of being recognized as a New York filmmaker.
The cast of Sinners received the ensemble tribute, with Ryan Coogler expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to work with such talented actors. Michael B. Jordan, Jayme Lawson, and Delroy Lindo spoke on behalf of the cast, emphasizing Coogler’s commitment to his vision regardless of budget constraints.
Nia DaCosta and Nina Hoss presented Tessa Thompson with the Spotlight tribute for her role in Hedda. Their heartfelt remarks highlighted Thompson’s journey and her admiration for DaCosta’s bravery.
Guillermo del Toro, Oscar Isaac, and Jacob Elordi received the Vanguard tribute for Frankenstein, with del Toro making a powerful statement about the importance of human creativity in the face of technological advancements.
Other notable tributes included the musical tribute for Song Sung Blue, the Visionary tribute for After the Hunt, and the cultural icon tribute for Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere.
Winners of the 2025 Gotham Film Awards
Best Feature
- Bugonia
- East of Wall
- Familiar Touch
- Hamnet
- If I Had Legs I’d Kick You
- Lurker
- One Battle After Another (Winner)
- Sorry, Baby
- The Testament of Ann Lee
- Train Dreams
Best International Feature
- It Was Just an Accident (Winner)
- No Other Choice
- Nouvelle Vague
- Resurrection
- Sound of Falling
Best Documentary Feature
- 2000 Meters to Andriivka
- BLKNWS: Terms & Conditions
- My Undesirable Friends: Part I – Last Air in Moscow (Winner)
- The Perfect Neighbor
- Put Your Soul on Your Hand and Walk
Best Director
- Mary Bronstein, If I Had Legs I’d Kick You
- Jafar Panahi, It Was Just an Accident (Winner)
- Kelly Reichardt, The Mastermind
- Paul Thomas Anderson, One Battle After Another
- Oliver Laxe, Sirât
Breakthrough Director
- Constance Tsang, Blue Sun Palace
- Carson Lund, Eephus
- Sarah Friedland, Familiar Touch
- Akinola Davies Jr., My Father’s Shadow (Winner)
Best Original Screenplay
- If I Had Legs I’d Kick You (Mary Bronstein)
- It Was Just an Accident (Jafar Panahi) (Winner)
- The Secret Agent (Kleber Mendonça Filho)
- Sorry, Baby (Eva Victor)
- Sound of Falling (Louise Peter, Mascha Schilinski)
Best Adapted Screenplay
- No Other Choice (Park Chan-wook, Lee Kyoung-Mi, Jahye Lee, Don McKellar)
- Pillion (Harry Lighton) (Winner)
- One Battle After Another (Paul Thomas Anderson)
- Preparation for the Next Life (Martyna Majok)
- Train Dreams (Clint Bentley, Greg Kwedar)
Outstanding Lead Performance
- Jessie Buckley, Hamnet
- Lee Byung-hun, No Other Choice
- Rose Byrne, If I Had Legs I’d Kick You
- Sopé Dìrísù, My Father’s Shadow (Winner)
- Ethan Hawke, Blue Moon
- Jennifer Lawrence, Die My Love
- Wagner Moura, The Secret Agent
- Josh O’Connor, The Mastermind
- Amanda Seyfried, The Testament of Ann Lee
- Tessa Thompson, Hedda
Outstanding Supporting Performance
- Benicio Del Toro, One Battle After Another
- Jacob Elordi, Frankenstein
- Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, Sentimental Value
- Indya Moore, Father Mother Sister Brother
- Wunmi Mosaku, Sinners (Winner)
- Adam Sandler, Jay Kelly
- Andrew Scott, Blue Moon
- Alexander Skarsgard, Pillion
- Stellan Skarsgard, Sentimental Value
- Teyana Taylor, One Battle After Another
Breakthrough Performer
- A$AP Rocky, Highest 2 Lowest
- Sebiye Behtiyar, Preparation for the Next Life
- Chase Infiniti, One Battle After Another
- Abou Sangaré, Souleymane’s Story (Winner)
- Tonatiuh, Kiss of the Spider Woman
