Gotham Film Awards: 'One Battle After Another' Wins Best Feature; Jafar Panahi's 'It Was Just an Accident' Sweeps - The Winners

At the 2025 Gotham Film Awards, Paul Thomas Andersons One Battle After Another captured the top honor of Best Feature. The night was particularly significant for Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi, who was sentenced in absentia to a year in prison by Iranian authorities just hours earlier. Panahis latest work, It Was Just an Accident, won all three of its nominated categories at the ceremony.

Upon receiving the first award of the evening for Best Original Screenplay, Panahi, through a translator, addressed the audience: I dedicate this recognition to independent filmmakers in Iran and worldwide those who continue creating without support, often at great personal risk, guided only by their belief in truth and humanity. I hope this serves as a tribute to all filmmakers denied the right to be seen, yet who persevere in their craft.

Shortly after, It Was Just an Accident earned Best International Feature and Best Director. Reflecting on his earlier work, Panahi mentioned a student film he had once almost destroyed, remarking, I am grateful I did not destroy my last film and that I am here tonight.

My Fathers Shadow also dominated, winning Breakthrough Director and Lead Performance, with Sop Drs absent but recognized over competitors including Jessie Buckley, Rose Byrne, Jennifer Lawrence, Ethan Hawke, and Amanda Seyfried. Wunmi Mosaku received Best Supporting Performance for Sinners, with director Ryan Coogler accepting on her behalf.

Although One Battle After Another secured Best Feature, it was the only win from its six nominations. Other notable nominees included If I Had Legs Id Kick You, Familiar Touch, Hamnet, Sorry, Baby, The Testament of Ann Lee, and Train Dreams. This year, the Gotham Awards expanded the Best Feature category from five to ten films.

The ceremony, held in New York, also celebrated special tributes. Noah Baumbach received the Director Tribute for Jay Kelly, presented by Emily Mortimer and Adam Sandler, who humorously reminisced about the Gotham Awards early days. Baumbach reflected on his career, emphasizing pride in being recognized as a New York filmmaker.

The ensemble cast of Sinners was honored, with Michael B. Jordan, Jayme Lawson, and Delroy Lindo speaking on behalf of the cast. Lindo praised Cooglers independent spirit despite budget considerations. Tessa Thompson received the Spotlight Tribute for Hedda, with Nia DaCosta highlighting their decade-long collaboration. Guillermo del Toro, Oscar Isaac, and Jacob Elordi earned the Vanguard Tribute, delivered by J.J. Abrams.

Other tributes included Kate Hudson and Hugh Jackman for Song Sung Blue, Julia Roberts and Luca Guadagnino for After the Hunt, and Jeremy Allen White and Scott Cooper for Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere.

The full list of winners included notable films and producers such as Paul Thomas Anderson (One Battle After Another), Jafar Panahi (It Was Just an Accident), Akinola Davies Jr. (My Fathers Shadow), and many others from Focus Features, A24, Warner Bros., Neon, and Mubi.

Complete winners included:

• Best Feature: One Battle After Another, Paul Thomas Anderson
• Best International Feature: It Was Just an Accident, Jafar Panahi
• Best Original Screenplay: Jafar Panahi
• Breakthrough Director: Akinola Davies Jr., My Fathers Shadow
• Lead Performance: Sop Drs, My Fathers Shadow
• Supporting Performance: Wunmi Mosaku, Sinners

The Gotham Awards have a history of recognizing films that later achieve Oscar success, including Everything Everywhere All at Once, CODA, Nomadland, Marriage Story, Moonlight, and Birdman.

Author: Sophia Brooks