The Independent Filmmaker Project (IFP) presented its 25th Anniversary IFP Gotham Awards in New York City. The ten competitive awards to be presented include Best Feature, Best Documentary, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Screenplay, Breakthrough Actor, the Bingham Ray Breakthrough Director Award, the Gotham Audience Award, Breakthrough Series – Long Form, and Breakthrough Series – Short Form.

In addition to the competitive awards, Gotham Award Tributes were given to actors Helen Mirren and Robert Redford, director Todd Haynes, and producer Steve Golin.

As the first major awards ceremony of the film season, the Gotham Awards provide some critical early recognition and media attention to worthy independent films.

Of note, given this blog’s specific interests, Jonas Carpignano won the Breakthrough director award for his unflinching immigrant struggles tale, "Mediterranea"; Mya Taylor won the Breakthrough Actor trophy for her performance in the luminous "Tangerine"; the Calvin Klein Spotlight on Women Directors "Live the Dream" grant went to Chanelle Aponte Pearson; and the Audience Award went to "Tangerine."

Congratulations to all the winners!

By the way, "Tangerine" becomes available on Netflix streaming tomorrow, December 2.

The full list of awards follows below:

Best feature: Spotlight

Best documentary: The Look of Silence

Breakthrough director: Jonas Carpignano (Mediterranea)

Best screenplay: Spotlight

Best actor: Paul Dano (Love & Mercy)

Best actress: Bel Powley (The Diary of a Teenage Girl)

Breakthrough actor: Mya Taylor in (Tangerine)

Special jury award: Spotlight for ensemble acting

Breakthrough TV series – long form: Mr Robot

Breakthrough TV series – short form: Shugs and Fats