Though taking home a Gotham Independent Film Award doesn’t necessarily indicate future Oscar wins, one loudly whispered contender Moonlight certainly impressed the writers, actors, directors, and producers with the Independent Film Project. Moonlight snagged two of Monday night’s most prestigious awards, Best Feature and Best Screenplay, and the cast won the Special Gotham Jury Award. Sundance darling Manchester by the Sea, which was perceived by many as Moonlight’s main competition and was up for four nominations, scored a Best Actor win for star Casey Affleck. Other noteworthy honors included achievement tributes to Amy Adams, Ethan Hawke, and Oliver Stone, the last of whom used the ceremony as an opportunity to advise independent filmmakers to challenge the government. Read the full list of winners below.
BEST FEATURE
Moonlight
BEST ACTOR
Casey Affleck, Manchester by the Sea
BEST ACTRESS
Isabelle Huppert, Elle
SPECIAL GOTHAM JURY AWARD
Cast of Moonlight
BEST DOCUMENTARY
O.J.: Made in America
BINGHAM RAY BREAKTHROUGH DIRECTOR AWARD
Trey Edward Shults, Krisha
BREAKTHROUGH ACTOR
Anya Taylor-Joy, The Witch
BEST SCREENPLAY
Moonlight, story by Tarell Alvin McCraney; screenplay by Barry Jenkins
BREAKTHROUGH SERIES – LONGFORM
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
BREAKTHROUGH SERIES – SHORTFORM
Her Story