Editor

Signaling the official kick-off to the film awards season, IFP announced today that director Darren Aronofsky, actors Hilary Swank and Robert Duvall, and Focus Features CEO, James Schamus, will each be presented with a career Tribute at the 20th Anniversary Gotham Independent Film Awards™ on Monday, November 29th at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City. This year’s Tribute selection represents a range of individuals who are all veterans well-versed in the journey between lower-budget independent films and large-scale studio releases. IFP Executive Director Joana Vicente noted “We are moved and honored to give tribute to four cinematic film luminaries, all of whom have had their roots in independent film, and have steadfastly focused on the art of film, irrespective of the size of the budget of their work.”

This year’s Gotham Awards tribute recipients join a prestigious group of previous honorees including: actors Stanley Tucci, Natalie Portman, Javier Bardem, Penélope Cruz and Kate Winslet; filmmakers Mira Nair, Gus Van Sant, Spike Lee and Martin Scorsese; executives Sheila Nevins (HBO Documentaries) and Jonathan Sehring (IFC Films); and film critic Roger Ebert.

Nominations for the evening’s seven competitive awards for Best Feature, Best Documentary, Breakthrough Director, Breakthrough Actor, Best Ensemble Performance, Best Film Not Playing at a Theater Near You, and the new Festival Genius Audience Award will be announced on October 18th.