It's that time of year again, when the first of what will be many end of the year awards nominees start coming out. The Gothams are in some ways the prelude to the Independent Spirit Awards more so than the Oscars, but there are usually some films in here that make the cut and go on to bigger things. It's definitely a good sign for indie darlings Moonlight and Manchester By the Sea, which were recognized in several categories. Interesting that the big pre-nomination favorite La La Land didn't get a single nod, even for acting. But that probably indicates that these particular critics already don't think that film (which is an indie and is eligible here) needs the boost that these early awards can provide. So in a way that's a good sign for it.
BEST FEATURE
- “Certain Women”
- “Everybody Wants Some!!”
- “Manchester by the Sea”
- “Moonlight”
- “Paterson”
BEST DOCUMENTARY
- “Cameraperson”
- “I Am Not Your Negro”
- “O.J.: Made in America”
- “Tower”
- “Weiner”
BEST SCREENPLAY
- “Hell or High Water,” Taylor Sheridan
- “Love & Friendship,” Whit Stillman
- “Manchester by the Sea,” Kenneth Lonergan
- “Moonlight,” Story by Tarell Alvin McCraney; Screenplay by Barry Jenkins
- “Paterson,” Jim Jarmusch
BREAKTHROUGH DIRECTOR AWARD
- Robert Eggers, “The Witch”
- Anna Rose Holmer, “The Fits”
- Daniel Kwan & Daniel Scheinert, “Swiss Army Man”
- Trey Edward Shults, “Krisha”
- Richard Tanne, “Southside with You”
- BEST ACTOR
- Casey Affleck, “Manchester by the Sea”
- Jeff Bridges, “Hell or High Water”
- Adam Driver, “Paterson”
- Joel Edgerton, “Loving”
- Craig Robinson, “Morris from America”
BEST ACTRESS
- Kate Beckinsale, “Love & Friendship”
- Annette Bening, “20th Century Women”
- Isabelle Huppert, “Elle”
- Ruth Negga, “Loving”
- Natalie Portman, “Jackie”
BREAKTHROUGH ACTOR
- Lily Gladstone, “Certain Women”
- Lucas Hedges, “Manchester by the Sea”
- Royalty Hightower, “The Fits”
- Sasha Lane, “American Honey”
- Anya Taylor-Joy, “The Witch”
BREAKTHROUGH SERIES – LONG FORM
- “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend”
- “The Girlfriend Experience”
- “Horace and Pete”
- “Marvel’s Jessica Jones”
- “Master of None”
BREAKTHROUGH SERIES – SHORT FORM
- “The Gay and Wondrous Life of Caleb Gallo”
- “Her Story”
- “The Movement”
- “Sitting in Bathrooms with Trans People”
- “Surviving”
There are some interesting nominations in here, and if I had to guess I'd say that in addition to good Oscar bets like Moonlight and Manchester, we will also see Natalie Portman, Isabelle Huppert and maybe the screenplay for Hell or High Water make it further in the race. It's also notable that the Gothams added two TV categories this year to recognize the growing excellence in the medium- go Jessica Jones!
