Film news: ‘One Battle After Another’ ignites Oscars race with Gotham Awards win
Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another took the top prize at the 2025 Gotham Awards.
The 35th Annual Gotham Film Awards, held on December 1, are seen as a key starting point in the long run-up to the Oscars.
Film News Blitz’s Dan Lawrence jots down the big winners on this prestigious night.
What are the Gotham Awards?
The Gotham Awards are seen as a celebration for independent filmmaking and championing creatives who have a distinct vision told through their cinematic art.
The event took place at Cipriani Wall Street in New York, and following the nominations being revealed in October, Gotham Film & Media Institute executive director Jeffrey Sharp said, “This year’s nominees celebrate an extraordinary year of cinematic achievement — one defined by bold, original storytelling, festival breakouts and filmmakers whose independent vision extends across studios and streamers”.
What prize did ‘One Battle After Another’ win?
One Battle After Another was nominated for a record six prizes, but only picked up one during Monday’s ceremony.
Alas, it was a case of quality over quantity as Anderson’s film won Best Feature.
It’s a hot pick for Best Picture at next year’s Oscars, despite Anderson saying that he “didn’t expect” the Gotham win (via The Hollywood Reporter).
One Battle After Another was amongst a list of nominees that no doubt will covet top prizes throughout awards season.
Anderson’s film won this battle against Bugonia, East of Wall, Familiar Touch, Hamnet, If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, Lurker, Sorry Baby, The Testament of Ann Lee and Train Dreams.
What other prizes were handed out at the Gotham Awards?
Three prizes went to Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi’s It Was Just an Accident.
Wins for Best International Feature, Best Director and Best Original Feature followed news that Panahi had been sentenced to a year in prison in absentia by Iran.
Panahi’s film is directly critical of the Iranian regime, and in receiving the first of his three Gotham Awards, he said, “I would like to dedicate the honour of this award to independent filmmakers in Iran and around the world — filmmakers who keep the camera rolling in silence, without support, and at times by risking everything they have.”
My Father’s Shadow won two awards: Breakthrough Director (Akinola Davies Jr.) and Lead Performance (Sopé Dìrísù).
There was also a win for Sinners’ Wunmi Mosaku in the Best Supporting Performance category.
Sinners was also among the creations/creators given a Gotham Awards Tribute.
Ryan Coogler’s film received the Ensemble Tribute, while Luca Guadagnino and Julia Roberts received the Visionary Tribute for After the Hunt.
For their work on Frankenstein, director Guillermo del Toro, and actors Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi received the Vanguard Tribute, which is designed to recognise pioneering films that push the boundaries of cinema through fearless artistic choices.
Further tributes went to Hedda’s Tessa Thompson (Spotlight), Jay Kelly’s Noah Baumbach (Director), Song Sung Blue’s Kate Hudson and Hugh Jackman (Musical) and Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere’s Jeremy Allen White and Scott Cooper (Cultural Icon).
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