#FIRSTLOOK: “A DIFFERENT MAN” WINS BEST FEATURE AT THE 2024 GOTHAM AWARDS

The Gotham Film & Media Institute announced today the winners of the 34th edition of The Gothams at a ceremony held at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City.

The winner for Best Feature was A Different Man.

The winner for Best International Feature was All We Imagine as Light.

The winner for Best Documentary Feature was presented to No Other Land.

The winner for Best Director was RaMell Ross for Nickel Boys.

The winner for Best Screenplay was Azazel Jacobs for His Three Daughters.

The winner for Breakthrough Director Gotham was Vera Drew for The People’s Joker.

The winner for Outstanding Lead Performance was Colman Domingo in Sing Sing.

The winner for Outstanding Supporting Performance was Clarence Maclin in Sing Sing.

The winner for Breakthrough Performer was Brandon Wilson in Nickel Boys.

The Gothams provide early recognition and media attention for outstanding and groundbreaking storytellers, including writers, directors, producers and actors. Nominees were selected by independent committees of film critics, journalists, festival programmers, and film curators. Separate independent juries independent of writers, directors, actors, producers, editors, and other film industry professionals determined the final recipients of The Gothams.

The Gothams Tributes, the organization’s highest honors celebrating outstanding achievement in film, were also presented at the ceremony. The Tributes recognize the industry’s most accomplished creators and performers whose work has made an indelible impact on both the art form and popular culture.

Zendaya received the Spotlight Tribute for her magnetic performance as Tashi Donaldson in the Luca Guadagnino-directed film Challengers. Timothée Chalamet and James Mangold received the Visionary Tribute for their groundbreaking collaboration on A Complete Unknown, the upcoming Bob Dylan biopic. Angelina Jolie received the Performer Tribute for her rendition of the legendary opera singer Maria Callas in Pablo Larrain’s upcoming film Maria. Franklin Leonard and his company, the Black List, the platform dedicated to nurturing written storytelling and empowering writers to maximize their professional potential, received The Gotham Anniversary Tribute. Denis Villeneuve received The Gotham Director Tribute for his remarkable world-building and storytelling prowess in Dune: Part Two. The talented cast of The Piano Lesson, which includes Samuel L. Jackson, John David Washington, Ray Fisher, Danielle Deadwyler, Michael Potts, Corey Hawkins, and Erykah Badu, received the Ensemble Tribute for their captivating chemistry and artistry.

The Gotham also announced the winners of its sixth annual Focus Features & JetBlue Student Short Film Showcase Ethan Herisse and KiKi Layne. The five winning filmmakers were Nicole Chi (Los Mosquitos, The University of Texas at Austin), a Costa Rican-Chinese writer, director, and producer; Reem Jubran (Don’t Be Long, Little Bird, University of California, Los Angeles), a Palestinian filmmaker and artist based in California; Sujin Jung (Cocoon, Loyola Marymount University) is an LA-based writer-director originally from Gyeonggi-do province, Korea; Calleen Koh (My Wonderful Life, California Institute of the Arts), a Singaporean BAFTA-nominated animation filmmaker, writer, and artist; and Eva Steinmetz (Marina, Temple University) is a Philadelphia-based theater director, filmmaker, and educator, creating new works that straddle the ordinary and extraordinary.

With the critical support of returning partners JetBlue and Focus Features as well as Soho House, The Gotham aims to discover and empower a diverse group of emerging filmmakers as well as foster multi-platform distribution of their work through the annual program. Each winner will receive a $1,000 grant and will have their films shown for twelve months on JetBlue’s seatback entertainment systems under the “Gotham Selects” movie category and on Focus Features digital streaming platforms. Throughout 2025, the winning filmmakers will also receive ongoing mentorship and workshopping opportunities from The Gotham.

The Gothams were announced live and in-person at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City. The ceremony was also livestreamed on Variety’s YouTube channel and through TEGNA network affiliates across 51 markets throughout the country.

The winners of the the 34th edition of The Gothams are:

For Best Feature, presented by Jessica Chastain

A Different Man

Directed by Aaron Schimberg

Produced by Gabriel Mayers, Vanessa McDonnell, Christine Vachon

Released by A24

The Best Feature jury included: Nicole Beharie, Oscar Isaac, Adele Romanski, Rajendra Roy, and Julia Stiles.

For Best International Feature, presented by Guy Pearce and Saoirse Ronan

All We Imagine as Light

Directed by Payal Kapadia

Produced by Julien Graff, Thomas Hakim

Released by Sideshow and Janus Films

The Best International Feature jury included: Kat Candler, Nicolas Celis, Sanaa Lathan, Greta Lee, and Tina Satter.

For Best Documentary Feature, presented by Misty Copeland and Ryan Destiny

No Other Land

Directed by Yuval Abraham, Basel Adra, Hamdan Ballal, Rachel Szor

Produced by Fabien Greenberg, Bård Kjøge Rønning

Self Distributed

The Best Documentary Feature included: Katy Chevigny, Ezra Edelman, David Osit, Yoruba Richen, and Shaunak Sen

For Best Director, presented by Chloë Sevigny and Sebastian Stan

RaMell Ross for Nickel Boys

Released by Orion Pictures/Amazon MGM Studios

The Best Director jury included: Annette Insdorf, Raven Jackson, Jason Mitchell, Patrick Stettner, and Uma Thurman.

For Best Screenplay, presented by Aubrey Plaza and Maisy Stella

Azazel Jacobs for His Three Daughters

Released by Netflix

The Best Screenplay jury included: Janicza Bravo, Samy Burch, David Hemingson, Samuel D. Hunter, and J.T. Rogers.

For Breakthrough Director, presented by Adrien Brody and Rachel Brosnahan

Vera Drew for The People’s Joker

Released by Altered Innocence

The Breakthrough Director jury included: Kisha Imani Cameron, Geoffrey Fletcher, Sydney Sweeney, Alex Thompson, and Charlotte Wells.

For Outstanding Lead Performance, presented by Emily Mortimer and Shailene Woodley

Colman Domingo in Sing Sing

Released by A24

The Outstanding Lead Performance jury included: Lake Bell, Don Cheadle, Anthony Michael Hall

Pamela Koffler, and Joana Vicente.

For Outstanding Supporting Performance, presented by Zoey Deutch and Bella Ramsey

Clarence Maclin in Sing Sing

Released byA24

The Outstanding Supporting Performance jury included: Kaitlyn Dever, Kitty Green, Charles Melton, Angela Russo-Otstot, and Blair Underwood.

For Breakthrough Performer, presented by Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor and Anthony Ramos

Brandon Wilson in Nickel Boys

Orion Pictures/Amazon MGM Studios

The Breakthrough Performer jury included: Anna Diop, Carlo Mirabella-Davis, Celine Song, Teyana Taylor, and Neil Creque Williams.

Sponsors

The Premier Sponsor of the 2024 Gothams is Vanity Fair, the Official Water is FIJI Water, the Official Airline is JetBlue, the Official Spirits are Rabbit Hole Distillery, and the Official Wine is Wolffer Estate Vineyard.

About the Gotham Film & Media Institute

The Gotham celebrates and nurtures independent film and media creators, providing career-building resources, access to industry influencers, and pathways to wider recognition. The organization, under the leadership of Executive Director and award-winning producer Jeffrey Sharp, fosters a vibrant and sustainable independent storytelling community through its year-round programs, which include Gotham Week, Gotham Labs, Filmmaker Magazine, the Gothams, Gotham EDU, Owning It, and Expanding Communities.

About The Gothams

The Gotham Film & Media Institute presents The Gothams as two annual awards ceremonies celebrating innovative talent both on-screen and off-screen in film and television. As the first major event of both awards seasons, The Gothams shine a spotlight on groundbreaking work while advancing the Institute’s year-round mission to support independent storytelling

#GIVEAWAY: ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN PASSES TO AN ADVANCE SCREENING OF “SING SING”

Elevation Pictures x Mr. Will want to give Readers a chance to win passes to an Advance Screening of TIFF ’23 selection SING SING in Calgary and Halifax.

CALGARY – Screening Details:
Location: Scotiabank Theatre Chinook

Date: Wednesday, July 31st

Time: 7:00 PM

HALIFAX SING SING – Screening Details: 

Location: Cineplex Cinemas Park Lane

Date: Monday, August 12th

Time: 7:00 PM

Synopsis: Divine G, imprisoned at Sing Sing for a crime he didn’t commit, finds purpose by acting in a theatre group alongside other incarcerated men in this story of resilience, humanity, and the transformative power of art.

Starring: Colman Domingo, Paul Raci, Clarence Maclin and Sean San José. 

To enter for a chance to win, click “like” on this Post at MR. WILL ON FACEBOOK. On the post, indicate your City and tag a friend in the comments you’d like to bring along with you. Enter as many times as you like!

Rules and regulations here.

Elevation Pictures release SING SING as follows:
Toronto – August 2, 2024
Vancouver & Montreal – August 9, 2024
Nationwide – August 16, 2024

(Photo/video credit: Elevation Pictures)

#SPOTTED: MICHELLE YEOH, JON BATISTE, COLMAN DOMINGO AND SARAH SHERMAN IN TORONTO

Finally, we’re seeing things pick-up again in Toronto! Exciting times! With the conclusion of Awards Season, we were so lucky to ran into legendary Academy Award-winning Actress Michelle Yeoh out and about. She just presented at the Oscars and throughout her stay in Toronto filming upcoming feature STAR TREK: SECTION 31, where she is reprising the role of Emperor Philippa Georgiou. Among the hotspots Yeoh‘s been seen at are Lao Lao Bar, Kiss My Pans and more, paying tribute to the flavours of her native Southeast Asia. We were wondering if we were ever going to be graced by her presence, and so glad we did. She is just absolutely gracious and stunning, a perfect human being!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by William Wong (@mrwillwong)

Academy Award and five-time GRAMMY-winning Singer-Songwriter JON BATISTE resumed his UNEASY TOUR in Toronto at Massey Hall, to a sold-out crowd, fresh off his performance of “It Never Went Away” at the Oscars this past weekend. The song had garnered a nomination, heard in the Netflix Documentary AMERICAN SYMPHONY. Playing a sold-out show, Batiste wowed the audience, even doing an impromptu performance up in the balcony! He is so amazing and kind!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by William Wong (@mrwillwong)

You all know how much I love Colman Domingo. The Academy Award-nominated Actor had a phenomenal 2024 starring in THE COLOR PURPLE and RUSTIN, which garnered him the nod. But perhaps his crowning achievement is SING SING which premiered at TIFF ’23 and will be released this year via A24 and Elevation Pictures. He also can be seen currently in DRIVE-AWAY DOLLS. He is absolutely lovely and always giving to fans. He’s working on TV Series THE MADNESS, filming locally which has him starring as a powerful media figure who is accused of murder. Another meaty role!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by William Wong (@mrwillwong)

I adore SNL and one of the recent additions to the Cast is Sarah Sherman aka Sarah Squirm, who is absolutely quirkly and brilliant. She’s here for an undisclosed project, which we have an inkling what it might be. She joined the Cast in SNL and is getting lots of screen time, which we are here for! She filmed Adam Sandler‘s You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah in the City a couple years back!

(Photo/video credit: Mr. Will Wong)

#TIFF23: “SING SING” REVIEW

By George Kozera

SING SING opens with Colman Domingo performing a Shakesperean soliloquy directly to the camera with force and magnitude. It is a stunning achievement. We then see the actors leave to theatre to return to the notorious Sing Sing Penitentiary where we learn they are all part of the Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA) programme whose mandate is to put on plays as a part of their rehab. After choosing a prison yard bully (Clarence “Divine Eye” Maclin, playing himself) on a hunch to join troupe, their director Brent (Oscar nominee Paul Raci) gathers the prisoners to decide what show they will put on next. Deciding not to go the dramatic route once again, they all choose to write a comedy that incorporates time travel, a son looking for his mother, Ancient Egypt, a western, pirates and Freddy Krueger! Let the auditions and fun begin.

Director and Co-Writer Greg Kwedar (whose last movie “Jockey” I adored) had the unenviable task of maintaining the audience’s attention in mostly tight, contained quarters scenarios and relies heavily on extreme close-ups. I found these cinematic choices rewarding, if maybe a tad too redundant.

Other than Domingo and Raci, everyone in SING SING were formerly incarcerated prisoners many of them alumni of RTA and they all bring gravitas to their scenes. The chemistry between Domingo and Maclin is off-the-charts phenomenal. Whereas this movie may appear to come across as light entertainment, Kwedar does not shy away from the realities of prison life and one scene with the lead character in front of the clemency board was truly heartbreaking.

It is impossible to stress the impact SING SING has made on me. Despite some minor flaws, the performances resonated with me, hours after leaving the rapturously received world premiere that I attended.

SING SING screens at TIFF ’23:

 Monday, September 11, 2:45PM – Scotiabank 

#TIFF23: COLMAN DOMINGO TO RECEIVE TIFF TRIBUTE PERFOMER AWARD

Cameron Bailey, CEO of TIFF, is delighted to announce that award-winning actor Colman Domingo will receive the TIFF Tribute Performer Award. This Award recognizes an overall body of exceptional work, and is one of seven awards being handed out at the fifth annual TIFF Tribute Awards gala, presented by Bulgari on Sunday, September 10, 2023 at Fairmont Royal York Hotel.

A prolific actor of the screen and the stage, Domingo’s career spans over 30 years. Domingo will next be seen in Greg Kwedar’s Sing Sing premiering at the Festival. Past recipients honoured in the prestigious acting category were Brendan Fraser and the ensemble cast of My Policeman in 2022; Jessica Chastain and Benedict Cumberbatch in 2021; Kate Winslet and Sir Anthony Hopkins in 2020; and Meryl Streep and Joaquin Phoenix in 2019.

Sing Sing is about a theatre troupe that finds escape from the realities of incarceration through the creativity of putting on a play. Based on the real-life arts rehabilitation program founded at Sing Sing Correctional Facility, the film is being distributed in Canada by Elevation Pictures.

“Colman Domingo’s performances are a masterclass in the art of storytelling,” said Bailey. “Domingo’s presence, on stage and on screen, is a gift to audiences, and his work continues to resonate, leaving an indelible impact. He is a true visionary in the world of performance, and we’re excited to honour him this year.”

Domingo joins the recently announced 2023 TIFF Tribute Award honourees Andy Lau, recipient of the Special Tribute Award; Carolina Markowicz, recipient of the TIFF Emerging Talent Award presented by MGM Studios; Łukasz Żal, recipient of the TIFF Variety Artisan Award; Shawn Levy, recipient of the Norman Jewison Career Achievement Award presented by The Budman Family; Pedro Almodóvar, recipient of the Jeff Skoll Award in Impact Media presented by Participant; and Spike Lee, recipient of the TIFF Ebert Director Award. Once again, the TIFF Tribute Awards honour the film industry’s outstanding contributors and their achievements, recognizing leading industry members, acting talent, directorial expertise, new talent, and a below-the-line artist and creator.

The Tribute Awards gala is TIFF’s largest annual fundraiser, having raised $1.3 million in 2022, and is presented by Bulgari, sharing their commitment to arts and culture along with TIFF. This year, the Tribute Awards gala will support the Viola Desmond Cinema campaign, which was launched through the Every Story Fund in 2022. For more information, visit tiff.net/tribute.

Colman Domingo bio
Colman Domingo is an Emmy Award–winning actor, and has been nominated for a Tony®, Independent Spirit, Gotham, Lawrence Olivier, Drama Desk, Drama League, NAACP Image, and Black Reel Award as an actor, playwright, and producer. He stars in and executive produced Greg Kwedar’s Sing Sing, which will make its World Premiere at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival. The film is based on the real-life arts rehabilitation program founded at Sing Sing Correctional Facility. In June 2023, he appeared in and produced the unscripted AMC travel show You Are Here and was a producer on the Tony-nominated Fat Ham. He is well known for his Spirit Award–nominated role in Janicza Bravo’s Zola as well as his work on stage in The Scottsboro Boys and Broadway’s Passing Strange. Domingo and his husband Raúl Domingo have produced a myriad of work under their Edith Productions banner, including four seasons of the award-winning variety talk show Bottomless Brunch at Colman’s. Domingo co-wrote, produced, and starred in the Academy Award–shortlisted animated short film New Moon, based on his play A Boy and His Soul. He also starred in and executive produced the award-winning short North Star.