Colman Domingo has won the coveted Best Actor award at the 2024 Gotham Awards for his moving performance in Sing Sing, a poignant film about a New York prison’s educational performing arts program. Domingo’s victory is a milestone as the Oscars race intensifies, with many considering Sing Sing a strong contender.
Sing Sing, which premiered at the Toronto Film Festival in 2023, tells the true story of Divine G, a man wrongfully imprisoned who finds redemption through acting in a prison theatre group. Domingo, reflecting on the award, expressed deep gratitude, stating, “I’m just very grateful for this, to be seen in this way, to do the work that my heart desires.”
The night’s biggest surprise came when A Different Man took home the Best Feature award. This compelling film explores the journey of a man with a disfiguring facial condition who undergoes a transformative surgery, only to face an identity crisis. The film triumphed over strong competition, including Anora and Babygirl.
In the Best Supporting Actor category, Clarence Maclin, a real-life former inmate of Sing Sing who portrays himself in the film, earned top honors for his emotional performance.
Director RaMell Ross also had reason to celebrate, winning Best Director for his innovative film Nickel Boys, while Brandon Wilson, who plays a lead role in the film, was named Breakthrough Performer. The film, based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Colson Whitehead, has gained attention for its unique narrative style, capturing events entirely from the characters’ perspectives.
Other notable winners included His Three Daughters, which claimed Best Screenplay, and All We Imagine as Light, which won Best International Feature.
The Gotham Awards, held annually in New York, are known for spotlighting independent films. While not as influential as other awards shows, they are seen as an early indicator of potential Oscar contenders.
Here’s a full list of the winners from the 2024 Gotham Awards:
Best feature – A Different Man
Outstanding lead performance – Colman Domingo, Sing Sing
Outstanding supporting performance – Clarence Maclin, Sing Sing
Best director – RaMell Ross, Nickel Boys
Best international feature – All We Imagine as Light
Best documentary feature – No Other Land
Best screenplay – His Three Daughters
Breakthrough director – Vera Drew, The People’s Joker
Breakthrough performer – Brandon Wilson, Nickel Boys
