It was a night of big wins for two powerful films at The Gothams 2024 Film Awards, which recognizes independent filmmaking. Colman Domingo took home The Gothams for Outstanding Lead Performance for his work in Sing Sing. The film chronicles the Rehabilitation Through Arts Program introduced to the real-life Sing Sing prison in Ossining, New York, in 1996. “[Winning this] means a lot because it’s also taking care of my brothers; all my brothers, all my Black and brown men who are on the inside, I hope it inspires them,” Domingo told EBONY.
“I stand with these brothers who have done the work. I’m so in awe of them; how can they find that place for tenderness and break down tropes of who we are as Black and brown men.”
Clarence Maclin won Outstanding Supporting Performance for his work in the film. Maclin, who had been formerly incarcerated in Sing Sing and participated in the rehabilitation program, exclaimed, “I’m the man!” The film also received The Gothams’ Social Justice Tribute.
RaMell Ross won Best Director for Nickel Boys. During his acceptance speech, he said he did not believe in choosing the best winner but had expressed to EBONY why this story, which fictionalizes the torture of young Black men in a real-life Florida reform school in the 20th century, should not be erased from history in a previous interview. Nickel Boys‘ star Brandon Wilson received the Breakthrough Performer Award, presented by his doting co-star Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor.
The Piano Lesson cast received The Gothams’ Ensemble Tribute. Several of its stars, including John-David Washington and Danielle Deadwyler, along with the film’s director, Malcolm Washington, accepted the award.
