The first awards ceremony of the season, the Gotham Awards, took place last night, ushering in our first official winners of the year. The Gotham Awards honor the makers of independent films, and while favorites likeIf Beale Street Could TalkandThe Favouritewere up for Best Feature, it wasChloe Zhao’s critically acclaimed cowboy dramaThe Riderthat took home the top prize in a bit of an upset. Zhao’s film made a significant impact when it was released earlier this year, so much so that Marvel Studiossigned her to helm anEternalsmovie, butThe Riderhasn’t really been in the awards mix for most prognosticators recently. That may have to change.
Elsewhere, the winners of the acting prizes were top notch.Toni Collettewon Best Actress forHereditary, a performance that’s been garnering acclaim since the film was first released earlier this year. AndEthan Hawkewon Best Actor for his stirring role inFirst Reformed, which also took home Best Screenplay forPaul Schrader.
Check out the full list of Gotham Awards winners below, and buckle up—the critics groups will be weighing in on the best of the best over the next few weeks.
BEST FEATURE
Chloé Zhao, director; Bert Hamelinck, Sacha Ben Harroche, Mollye Asher, Chloé Zhao, producers (Sony Pictures Classics)
AUDIENCE AWARD
Won’t You Be My Neighbor?
Morgan Neville, director; Morgan Neville, Caryn Capotosto, Nicholas Ma, producers (Focus Features)
BEST DOCUMENTARY
Hale County This Morning, This Evening
RaMell Ross, director; RaMell Ross, Joslyn Barnes, Su Kim, producers (The Cinema Guild)
BINGHAM RAY BREAKTHROUGH DIRECTOR AWARD
Bo Burnham forEighth Grade(A24)
BEST SCREENPLAY
First Reformed, Paul Schrader (A24)
BEST ACTOR
Ethan Hawke inFirst Reformed(A24)
BEST ACTRESS
Toni Collette inHereditary(A24)
BREAKTHROUGH ACTOR
Elsie Fisher inEighth Grade(A24)
BREAKTHROUGH SERIES – LONG FORM
Killing Eve, Sally Woodward Gentle, Lee Morris, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, executive producers (BBC America)
BREAKTHROUGH SERIES – SHORT FORM
195 Lewis, Chanelle Aponte Pearson and Rae Leone Allen, creators
