The 35th annual Gotham Awards ceremony, a prestigious event celebrating independent cinema, kicked off with a dose of sharp comedy and concluded with a passionate defence of human creativity. Hosted by the acclaimed actor and comedian Chris Rock alongside Naomi Watts, the night blended glamour with pointed commentary on the current state of the film industry.
Chris Rock's Opening Salvo on Franchise Fatigue
Setting the tone for the evening, Chris Rock did not hold back. With his signature bold humour, he addressed the elephant in the room: the overwhelming dominance of franchise films and superhero universes in mainstream cinema. His jokes resonated deeply, tapping into a growing sentiment of fatigue among audiences and creators alike towards endless sequels and caped crusaders.
Rock highlighted how the very definition of an independent film has evolved. "Today an independent film isn't just about the budget or the box office," he remarked. "It's about telling an independent story, something that isn't part of a franchise or a multiverse. I love a multiverse, but not everyone needs a cape." This statement underscored a shift in value, championing originality over sheer scale.
Guillermo del Toro's Fiery Defence of Human Artistry
Later in the ceremony, Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro delivered one of the most memorable and charged speeches of the night. While accepting an award, he took a moment to praise the countless artists behind the scenes. He celebrated the human touch in filmmaking, stating, "I'd like to tell the rest of our extraordinary cast and crew that the artistry of all of them shines on every single frame of this film that was wilfully made by humans, for humans."
He specifically honoured the designers, editors, cinematographers, and musicians whose crafts shape cinematic vision. Del Toro then ended his powerful tribute with a blunt and unambiguous rejection of the growing influence of artificial intelligence in creative fields, emphatically adding, "This tribute belongs to all of them. And I'd like to extend our gratitude and say: F**k AI." The comment drew strong applause, echoing concerns within the artistic community.
Celebrating Independent Cinema: The Big Winners
The Gotham Awards successfully blended its signature prestige with strong personality, as evidenced by the winners' list. The ceremony confirmed a robust season ahead for independent storytelling. The top honour of Best Feature was awarded to Paul Thomas Anderson's 'One Battle After Another', a significant win for the acclaimed director.
Other major awards included multiple honours for Jafar Panahi's 'It Was Just an Accident'. The award for Outstanding Lead Performance went to Sop Drs for 'My Father's Shadow' (Mubi), and Best Adapted Screenplay was won by Harry Lighton for 'Pillion' (A24). These wins highlighted the diverse and compelling narratives emerging from the independent film sphere, away from the franchise-dominated landscape critiqued earlier in the night.
The 35th Gotham Awards will be remembered not just for its winners, but for its vocal advocacy for original, human-centric storytelling in an era increasingly preoccupied with algorithmic franchises and synthetic creation.
