Mayor Michael Bloomberg announces "NextGenNYC" to promote emerging CUNY filmmakers at the 17th Annual Gotham Awards. Photo courtesy of the Office of the Mayor.

December 5, 2007 - The 17th Annual Gotham Awards kicked off the annual awards season honoring the best in independent film with a gala ceremony held for the first time in Brooklyn at Steiner Studios. Presented by IFP, the evening also included a Tribute award to Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg. Talented playwright and actor Sarah Jones served as host and presented the mayor with his award.

Mayor Bloomberg was honored for his continuing efforts to promote film production in New York City through the “Made in NY” incentive program, which provides tax and marketing credits to film and television productions.

The mayor took the opportunity to announce a new initiative – “NextGenNYC” - in conjunction with IFP and CUNY to promote emerging filmmakers graduating from CUNY schools. The program will give CUNY students from film and digital media programs at CUNY schools the chance to showcase their work through IFP and be eligible for a juried “Made in NY” prize.

The Mayor also highlighted the recent plans to expand studio space in the city at Silver Cup and Steiner Studios, by emphasizing the City’s support with a $210 million investment in the Navy Yard’s infrastructure. “It’s a great investment,” said Mayor Bloomberg, “one that will pay us back many times over in job creation, tax revenues, and tourism dollars.”

Tribute awards were also given out to notable individiuals in the independent film industry: filmmaker Mira Nair, actor Javier Bardem, film critic Roger Ebert, production designer Mark Friedberg, and IFC Entertainment president Jonathan Sehring.

The 2007 Gotham Award winners:

Best Feature: Into the Wild

Best Documentary: Sicko

Breakthrough Director: Craig Zobel, Great Wall of Sound

Breakthrough Actor: Ellen Page, Juno

Best Ensemble Cast (tie): Before the Devil Knows You’re Dead and Talk to Me

Best Film Not Playing at a Theater Near You: Frownland

The Gotham Awards can be seen locally on NYC-TV on Tuesday, December 4, at 9 pm.

Mayor Bloomberg and Commissioner Oliver backstage at the Gotham Awards.
Photo courtesy of the Office of the Mayor.