Jafar Panahi and One Battle After Another Achieve Major Success at the Gotham Awards

At the 35th annual Gotham Awards on December 1, 2025, in New York City, Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another” won the Best Feature award, marking a notable achievement for a major studio film at this traditionally in-centric event. This multigenerational protest drama has emerged as a prominent contender in the ongoing awards season.

Iranian director Jafar Panahi’s “It Was Just an Accident” excelled in the international categories, capturing the awards for Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best International Film. Panahi’s accolades come amid significant personal challenges, including a recent one-year prison sentence and a two-year travel ban imposed by a Tehran court for “propaganda activities.” Despite these restrictions, he has continued to create films secretly.

Other notable winners included Akinola Davies Jr., awarded Breakthrough Director for “My Father’s Shadow,” and Sopé Dìrísù, recognized for Outstanding Lead Performance in the same film. Wunmi Mosaku won Outstanding Supporting Performance for “Sinners,” while Abou Sangaré was named Breakthrough Performer for “Souleymane’s Story.” Julia Loktev’s documentary “My Undesirable Friends: Part 1 – Last Air in Moscow” won Best Documentary.

The ceremony also featured tributes to various filmmakers and cast members, including Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein,” Scott Cooper’s “Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere,” and Tessa Thompson from “Hedda,” among others. The Gotham Awards remain an important platform for recognizing both emerging talents and elished filmmakers, setting a significant tone for the awards season ahead.