December 3, 2008 - The best and brightest in independent film were honored at the 18th Annual Gotham Awards on Tuesday, December 2. Presented by IFP, the nation’s oldest and largest organization of independent filmmakers, the Gotham Awards is one of the leading awards for independent film and the first major honors of the film awards season. The event took place at Cipriani Wall Street.

Hosted by “The Daily Show” correspondent Aasif Mandvi, the ceremony also included tributes awarded to actress Penelope Cruz, president of HBO Documentary Films Shelia Nevins, actor and director Melvin Van Peebles, and director Gus Van Sant.

Among the night’s winners were:

Best Feature: Frozen River

Best Documentary: Trouble the Water

Breakthrough Director: Lance Hammer, Ballast

Breakthrough Actor: Melissa Leo, Frozen River

Best Ensemble Cast: Synecdoche, New York and Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Best Film Not Playing at a Theater Near You: Sita Sings the Blues

As part of the Gotham Awards, IFP also presented a public series of events with filmmakers, retrospectives, and screenings highlighting the award nominees and honorees. For more information, visit http://gotham.ifp.org/.