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All About Gotham Awards 2025: Winners, Losers, and Style Highlights

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The 2025 Gotham Awards kicked off the awards season with a bang, shining a spotlight on indie films and unforgettable performances.

Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another snagged Best Feature, while Iranian director Jafar Panahi grabbed both Best Director and Best International Feature for It Was Just an Accident.

Sopé Dìrísù and Wunmi Mosaku took home lead and supporting performance honors. Their wins definitely got people talking.

The night also put a spotlight on up-and-comers like Abou Sangaré and directors such as Akinola Davies Jr., giving fresh faces their moment.

2025 Gotham Film Awards
Riley Keough attends The Gotham Film Awards at Cipriani Wall Street on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

Fashion? Oh, it was wild. Rihanna made jaws drop in a bubblegum pink Balenciaga gown that basically owned the red carpet.

But style wasn’t all hits—some looks flopped, and Twitter had opinions. The event mashed up serious artistry with viral moments, and honestly, it was trending for days in entertainment circles.

Social feeds exploded with winner quotes and clips from the tribute awards for legends like Julia Roberts and Luca Guadagnino.

2025 Gotham Film Awards
Naomi Watts, left, and Elle Fanning attend The Gotham Film Awards at Cipriani Wall Street on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

It wasn’t just about trophies; the evening set a vibe for the 2025-2026 film season. Want the full scoop on winners and wildest fashion? Check out the detailed 2025 Gotham Awards recap.

2025 Gotham Awards Major Winners

This year’s Gotham Awards threw the spotlight on a bold mix of breakthrough series and films.

New faces, sharp performances, and a few jaw-dropping tributes—honestly, it was a feast for anyone who loves film and TV.

Breakthrough Series: Comedy, Drama, Limited, and Nonfiction

In comedy, Deli Boys owned the night for Breakthrough Comedy Series. Jenny Slate and Poorna Jagannathan led a cast that had everyone buzzing over the show’s wit and relatability.

2025 Gotham Film Awards
Miles Caton, left, Yao, Li Jun Li, Delroy Lindo, Michael B. Jordan, Ryan Coogler, Jayme Lawson, Omar Benson Miller, Francine Maisler and Lola Kirke pose with the film tribute award at The Gotham Film Awards at Cipriani Wall Street on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

Social media couldn’t stop quoting lines and sharing memes from the show—always a good sign.

Social Studies walked away with Breakthrough Drama Series. It dove deep into identity and change, with Aaron Pierre’s lead role getting major props for its emotional punch.

For Breakthrough Limited Series, Rebel Ridge stood out. Emma Tillinger Koskoff produced, and the show’s moody vibe and inventive story had critics raving.

2025 Gotham Film Awards
Hugh Jackman, left, and Sutton Foster attend The Gotham Film Awards at Cipriani Wall Street on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

Pee-Wee As Himself snagged Breakthrough Nonfiction Series. Its quirky humor and honest moments broke the usual nonfiction mold and got people talking online.

Top Acting Honors: Lead Performances

Sopé Dìrísù’s win for My Father’s Shadow really struck a chord. He brought raw emotion to a role about family and politics—tough stuff, but he nailed it.

Kathy Bates wowed in The Pitt, showing off her trademark intensity. Critics and fans couldn’t get enough.

2025 Gotham Film Awards
Kristen Stewart attends The Gotham Film Awards at Cipriani Wall Street on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

Abou Sangaré picked up Breakthrough Performer for Souleymane’s Story. His portrayal of an immigrant’s struggles in Paris was understated but powerful.

Ben Whishaw and Brian Tyree Henry also drew attention for their lead roles in Black Doves and Adolescence. The Gotham Awards really do love a nuanced performance.

Outstanding Supporting Performances

Wunmi Mosaku’s supporting turn in Sinners earned her top honors. She played a spiritual leader with real depth—definitely not your average horror movie role.

Stephen Graham got nods for Matlock. His layered performance had critics singing his praises (and maybe even tweeting about it).

Julio Torres made waves in Fantasmas with a mix of humor and heart. The Gotham Awards boost didn’t hurt his rising profile, either.

2025 Gotham Film Awards
Jennifer Lawrence attends The Gotham Film Awards at Cipriani Wall Street on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

Brian Tyree Henry popped up in supporting roles across several projects. The guy’s everywhere—and it works.

Best Original Films and Special Tributes Gotham Awards 2025

Paul Thomas Anderson finally scored his first Gotham win for One Battle After Another. The film’s deep story and a cast stacked with Leonardo DiCaprio and Sean Penn made it a no-brainer for Best Feature.

Jafar Panahi’s It Was Just an Accident swept Best International Feature, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay. His commitment to indie filmmaking, especially under tough political circumstances, gave his victories extra weight.

Harry Pillion’s Pillion picked up Best Adapted Screenplay, and the film’s fresh LGBTQ+ narrative already made waves at Cannes and BIFA.

Special tributes? Julia Roberts and Luca Guadagnino got their flowers for visionary work. The cast of Sinners earned the Ensemble Tribute for their horror magic. Guillermo del Toro’s anti-AI speech? It set the room buzzing about human creativity.

Award Category Winner Notable Highlights
Best Feature One Battle After Another Star-studded, first Gotham win for Paul Thomas Anderson
Best International Feature It Was Just an Accident Triple awards for Panahi amid political context
Best Adapted Screenplay Pillion LGBTQ+ story, Cannes and BIFA success
Ensemble Tribute Cast of Sinners Powerful group performance, horror genre

For the full rundown of winners and all the drama, check the 2025 Gotham Awards winners list. Trust me, you’ll want to see who made the cut—and who didn’t.

2025 Gotham Awards Notable Losers and Surprises

This year’s Gotham Awards had its share of upsets. Some crowd favorites went home empty-handed, and the surprises kept people guessing all night.

Fans and critics couldn’t help but debate the results, especially after some expected winners got edged out by dark horses.

2025 Gotham Film Awards
Zoey Deutch attends The Gotham Film Awards at Cipriani Wall Street on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
2025 Gotham Film Awards
Adam Sandler, left, Noah Baumbach and Emily Mortimer poses with film tribute award at The Gotham Film Awards at Cipriani Wall Street on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

Major Contenders That Missed Out

Brian Tyree Henry, who many thought had acting honors in the bag for Dope Thief, didn’t win. The buzz was real, so this one stung for his fans.

Cristin Milioti’s work on The Penguin got plenty of love from critics, but she didn’t take home any awards. That surprised a lot of people.

Lovie Simone’s role in Forever got snubbed too, even though her reputation keeps growing.

Films like Get Millie Back and Say Nothing couldn’t turn nominations into wins, leaving their supporters a bit deflated.

Noah Wyle and Megan Stott both missed out on breakthrough and supporting nods. The competition? Brutal this year.

2025 Gotham Film Awards
Tessa Thompson poses with the film tribute award at The Gotham Film Awards at Cipriani Wall Street on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

Biggest Upsets of the Night

Probably the wildest snub: Penelope didn’t win a single thing, despite leading in several categories. Social media called it “the night’s biggest snub”—and honestly, it’s hard to argue.

One Battle After Another swept Best Feature, but left some strong contenders in the dust. Not everyone was thrilled.

Fans on Twitter couldn’t believe My Father’s Shadow only picked up breakthrough awards. Considering the emotional punch it packed, people expected more.

Jafar Panahi’s It Was Just an Accident swept up, overshadowing other multi-nominees. The unpredictability kept everyone on their toes.

Film/Person Expected Award Result Reaction
Brian Tyree Henry Acting Award No win “Deserved better” – Fans online
Cristin Milioti Supporting Role No win Industry surprise
Penelope Multiple Wins Zero wins Called major snub
My Father’s Shadow Multiple Awards Breakthrough only Mixed critical reviews
Noah Wyle & Megan Stott Breakthrough No win Noted as tough competition

These losses got people fired up and sparked plenty of online debate. Film awards? Never predictable.

Best Dressed Stars At the 2025 Gotham Awards

The 2025 Gotham Awards red carpet was a wild mix of elegance, attitude, and a few “did-they-really-wear-that?” moments.

Stars balanced timeless class with bold, risky silhouettes. It was anything but boring.

Celebrities Who Stole the Show

Renée Zellweger kept it classic in a black Magda Butrym dress, rocking off-the-shoulder chic like only she can. Rachel Brosnahan’s black embroidered Dior gown brought old-school glam with a modern twist, thanks to that dramatic crinoline skirt.

Carrie Coon nailed minimalist perfection in a white column dress with a sculptural neckline. Chase Sui Wonders went bold with a velvet Miu Miu dress and a daring side cut-out, topped off with Tiffany & Co. bling.

2025 Gotham Film Awards
Bobby Cannavale, left, and Rose Byrne attend The Gotham Film Awards at Cipriani Wall Street on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)

Poorna Jagannathan looked like royalty in a Grecian blue Stella McCartney gown, complete with a cape. The vibe? Regal but totally fresh.

Michelle Williams and Kathy Bates both went for looks that blended sophistication with just enough edge to stand out. Julio Torres and Ben Whishaw, while not the night’s fashion headliners, still brought their own brand of cool to the carpet.

Red Carpet Trends and Iconic Looks

The red carpet this year went wild with colors—chartreuse, cream, and of course, the timeless black and white. Velvet gowns and embroidered details popped up everywhere, especially on Cristin Milioti and Justine Lupe.

Structured silhouettes ruled. Column dresses and strapless gowns gave off those crisp, sharp lines that just look so effortless.

Platform shoes made a comeback as the accessory of choice. Honestly, AnnaSophia Robb’s dress almost begged for the right pair of platform heels.

Jewelry didn’t play it safe. Unexpected pairings from Anita Ko, Rainbow K, and Tiffany & Co. brought a little extra sparkle and personality to the mix.

Social media couldn’t stop talking about Erin Doherty’s theatrical Thom Browne cummerbund top. The debates over red carpet boundaries got pretty heated.

Emma Tillinger Koskoff and James Marsden kept things polished and understated. Their classic looks balanced out all the bold statements swirling around.

If you want the full rundown, check out the 2025 Gotham Awards coverage.

Worst Dressed and Fashion Misses at the 2025 Gotham Awards

Some celebrities at the 2025 Gotham Awards took risks that just didn’t land. Awkward silhouettes and questionable fabrics got more attention than anyone probably wanted.

Even the biggest names can totally miss the mark when it comes to red carpet fashion. It’s almost comforting, in a way.

Fashion Missteps That Made Headlines

Chloë Sevigny’s bulky green minidress turned heads for all the wrong reasons. The oversized cut swallowed her frame and hid her usual elegance.

Fans on Twitter couldn’t get past the “extra material under her arms.” Honestly, it did look a little odd.

Teyana Taylor mixed a red feathered skirt with a white satin tee. The combo felt confusing and clashed more than it wowed.

Naomi Watts went for a light-mint gown topped with a white poncho-like layer. The look washed her out, making the whole outfit feel less elegant.

Kristen Stewart showed up in an oversized vintage office look that just didn’t fit the red carpet vibe. Hilaria Baldwin’s ultra-short minidress felt way too casual for an event like this.

Unexpected Style Choices

Zoey Deutch’s bright-yellow faux feather dress exploded across social media. People instantly started comparing her to Big Bird from Sesame Street.

The shade and texture really made her stand out—though, honestly, not in the best way.

Rihanna showed up in a wild combo of shiny fabrics and a headpiece that had everyone talking. She usually nails it, but this time, fans just couldn’t get behind the silhouette or the styling.

Timothy Simons and Skye P. Marshall both went for bold moves. Simons picked a retro-inspired suit that looked like it came from two different decades, while Marshall mixed prints that left people scratching their heads.

Chase Sui Wonders layered up, and Katherine Lanasa wore an oversized outfit that, well, didn’t exactly win the crowd over.

Linda Lavin played it more classic, but her dress had details that felt a bit stuck in the past. Compared to everyone else, it just didn’t pop.

Want to see who else took a risk? Check out this fashion misses roundup and the worst-dressed stars at the 2025 Gotham Awards. Some choices you just have to see to believe.

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WE Editor Tammy Heart

Tammy Heart

"I know the script you're being sold because I used to hand it to the actors.” - The Social Assassin - A former high-level publicist who got tired of spinning lies for people who have no souls. Tammy covers "The Scene"—awards shows, influencer drama, and the lifestyle of the 1%. She knows the PR playbook because she helped write it.

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