'Frozen River' Tops The Gotham Independent Film Awards

This year’s big Sundance winner, “Frozen River” keeps dominating in the indie awards. Last night the film was the bigger winner at the The Gotham Independent Film Awards (the nominees and initial announcement here).

The Courtney Hunt-directed indie won the Best Feature Award and lead actress Melissa Leo was singled out in the Breakthrough Actor category.

Despite having scored the most number of nominations, Lance Hammer’s “Ballast” only took the Breakthrough Director award. The Best Ensemble Acting prize was a tie: awarded to both the cast of Charlie Kaufman’s “Synecdoche, New York” and Woody Allen’s “Vicky Cristina Barcelona.”

Best Documentary went to “Trouble The Water,” and Best Film Not Playing at a Theater Near You was given to “Sita Sings the Blues.”

Films that got shut out included, “Rachel Getting Married” (two nominations),”Tom McCarthy’s “The Visitor” and Darren Aronofsky’ “The Wrestler.”

Michael J. Smith Sr. is so fantastic in “Ballast” we once suggested that if he wasn’t recognized in some capacity, we should all riot and burn down New York. Considering the Ensemble award went to anything but the Memphis, drama, we hope you will be preparing your torches in anticipation of tonight’s scalding of the city.