Inside the First-Ever Digital Gotham Awards

Film and television have kept us entertained throughout this pandemic and so the need to celebrate and award the best of both feels stronger than ever.  As award season begins, the show will continue on—albeit virtually in some cases—and started with the Gotham Awards, which took place that past Monday evening. 

While we certainly missed the signature Bellinis, the Independent Filmmaker Project, now formally known as The Gotham Film & Media Institute, hosted the 30th annual Gotham Awards from Cipriani’s Wall Street in a hybrid format to follow safety protocols. While there were a few in-person presenters, all nominees and winners attended digitally. 

The night began with “attendees” being “taken” to our virtual table, where we were able to chat live with our tablemates throughout the evening. Manhattan has always been at the heart of this award show and that New York energy could still be felt from the likes of Padma Lakshmi, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Hunter Shaffer, and Michael Shannon who delivered remarks live from Wall Street. 

Jeffrey Wright received the Made In New York Award and commented on the current state of NYC, “After 32 years in this city, I am proud to say I am Made In New York. I am a New York actor and that’s what I came here to be and that’s what I am. This pandemic has been hard for all of us in my home borough of Brooklyn.” He continued by giving thanks to everyone who has stepped up to support his new organization, Brooklyn For Life, including Spike Lee and Jay-Z. 

A few technical difficulties ensued throughout the evening, but all were received with a sense of humor. Kingsley Ben-Adir accepted his award after indulging in some Champagne in his hotel room in London, while Nicole Kassell accepted her award for Watchmen while giving us a play by play of what was coming up on her own screen.

A total of 41 films and television shows were nominated this year, with special tributes for the late Chadwick Boseman, who received the Posthumous Actor Tribute. Viola Davis received the Actress Tribute, Steve McQueen received the Director Tribute from Lupita Nyong'o, and Ryan Murphy received the Industry Tribute presented to him by Nicole Kidman.

In a first, every single Best Feature film nominated was directed by a woman with Chloé Zhao winning the coveted award for Nomadland. Other leading female winners were the incomparable Michaela Coel for her breakthrough series I May Destroy You and Nicole Beharie for Best Actress in Miss Juneteenth. It was a night of art appreciation, even if we watched in our pajamas.