Filmmakers RaMell Ross and Sean Wang receive Alumni of Distinction Awards
The Gotham Film & Media Institute (The Gotham) unveiled and celebrated the winners of the inaugural Gotham Week Honors during a Wednesday evening (10/2) ceremony at The Brooklyn Navy Yard.
Winning the U.S. Features in Development honor was Here for the Weekend, written and directed by Jane Casey Modderno. The raunchy rom-com follows three transgender best friends chasing love, success, and connection in Palm Springs, while trying desperately to keep their found-family together.
Winning the U.S. Shorts to Features honor was Thirstygirl, written and directed by Alexandra Qin, which follows two sisters on a road trip from New York to a rehab in Kentucky after one of them relapses.
The winner of the Spotlight on Documentaries honor was Matininó, directed by Gabriela Díaz Arp, a powerful portrayal of the Villanueva family, a multi-generational family of Puerto Rican women transforming their experience of violence into a fantasy film.
The winner of the Global Producer of The Year honor was Sophie Luo, producer of Valley of the Tall Grass, which sees a trashed TV/VCR combo set that survives and circulates through the lives of various Indigenous characters in an Oregon town.
The Gotham Week Honors celebrated Gina Duncan, president of BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music), with the first-ever Gotham Week Cultural Impact Honor. This award honors Duncan’s remarkable journey in cinema and media, from her work at the Jacob Burns Film Center, through her tenure at Sundance, to her current role leading one of the world’s most renowned cultural institutions.
And filmmakers RaMell Ross and Sean Wang each received an inaugural Gotham Week Alumni Honor of Distinction Award. This award pays tribute to outstanding alumni of The Gotham programs who serve as beacons of the independent filmmaking community.
Here’s a category rundown of the Inaugural Gotham Week Honors recipients:
For the U.S. Features In Development honor, presented by Gabrielle Nadig
Here for The Weekend
Written and Directed by Jane Casey Modderno
Produced by Michael Gottwald, Josh Penn, and Josh Peters.
The U.S. Features in Development jury included: Nicolás Celis, Robert Kessel, and Gabrielle Nadig
For the U.S. Shorts to Features honor, presented by Melissa Adeyemo and Krista Parris
Thirstygirl
Written and Directed by Alexandra Qin
Produced by Carlos López Estrada, Asher Goldstein, and Valerie Bush
The U.S. Shorts to Features jury included: Melissa Adeyemo, Mauricio Leiva Cock, and Krista Parris
For the Spotlight on Documentaries honor presented by Set Hernandez and Li Lu
Matininó
Directed by Gabriela Díaz Arp
Produced by Karla Claudio Betancourt, Wendy Muñiz, and Guillermo Zouain
The Spotlight on Documentaries jury included: Set Hernandez, Li Lu, and Rodrigo Reyes
For the Global Producer of the Year honor, presented by Ellie Foumbi and Neil Williams
Sophie Luo
Valley of Tall Grass
The Global Producer of the Year jury included Ellie Foumbi, Savina Neirotti and Neil Williams
American Society of Cinematographers To Honor Andrzej Bartkowiak With Life Achievement Award
The American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) is set to honor five of its members at the 39th Annual Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography Gala on February 23, 2025. Andrzej Bartkowiak, ASC, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award, while Michael Goi, ASC, ISC, will be recognized with the Career Achievement in Television Award. John Simmons, ASC, will be awarded the Presidents Award, and Joan Churchill, ASC, will be celebrated with the Lifetime Documentary Award. Pete Romano, ASC will be honored with the Curtis Clark Technology Award. The ASC Awards Gala will take place at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif., and will be live streamed globally, allowing cinema fans and industry professionals alike to join in the celebration of excellence in cinematography.
Known for his evocative visual style. Bartkowiak’s breakthrough film was the gritty urban thriller “Prince of the City,” which marked his first collaboration with Sidney Lumet. Over the next 12 years, Bartkowiak shot 11 of Lumet’s films, including “Deathtrap,” “The Verdict,” “Daniel,” “Family Business” and “A Stranger Among Us.” His taut camera work of Jan de Bont’s blockbuster “Speed” further elevated his profile.
“Throughout Andrzej’s illustrious career, he has crafted unforgettable visual narratives that have resonated with audiences and inspired countless filmmakers,” said ASC president Shelly Johnson. “His remarkable body of work stands as a testament to the power of visual storytelling, leaving an indelible mark on the art of cinematography.”
Bartkowiak’s wide-ranging, memorable films include James L. Brooks’ “Terms of Endearment,” John Huston’s “Prizzi’s Honor,” Ivan Reitman’s “Twins,” Stephen... Read More