The Best and Worst Moments from the Gotham Awards 2025: Behind the Scenes
The 2025 Gotham Awards were filled with unforgettable moments, some of which we’ll always look back on.
The awards ceremony, held on Monday, December 1, at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City, recognized some of the most talked-about films of the year, including Guillermo del Toroof frankenstein, Noah Baumbachof Jay Kelly and Paul Thomas Andersonof one battle after another.
The night’s winners included Song Shenglanof Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudsonwho received the inaugural Gotham Music Tribute, sinner Actors receive collective tribute for blockbuster horror movie Springsteen: Save me from nowhereof Jeremy Allen White and Scott Cooperthey were awarded the Cultural Icon Tribute Award.
US Weekly A roundup of the show’s best and worst moments, including the following you might have missed:
Best: Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster PDA Pack
Jackman, 57, and Foster, 50, bonded together on the red carpet at the event. The actor looked dapper in a classic black suit, while his girlfriend looked radiant in a black strappy sequined gown, which she paired with emerald drop earrings. The couple began dating last year and Song Shenglanof Premieres in Los Angeles in October.
Worst: Adam Sandler’s Awkward Noah Baumbach Introduction
Adam Sandler and Emily Mortimer
Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Gotham Academy of Film and MediaFar from it us To disagree with “The Sandman,” Sandler, 59, took too long to introduce Baumbach, 56, who received the Film Tribute Award. Actor opposite George Clooney in the upcoming Jay Kellyappearing on stage with the host Emily Mortimer About nine minutes. Sandler seemed to blurt out off-the-cuff comments like “Can I get a f**k from everyone? Yeah! Emily said, let’s go!”
Mortimer, 54, appeared squirmed by Sandler’s unpredictable comments.
Best: Guillermo del Toro’s fiery acceptance speech
Jacob Elordi, Guillermo del Toro and Oscar Isaac
Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Gotham Academy of Film and Mediathis frankenstein Director ignores producer’s cue to leave stage while accepting avant-garde tribute Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordiinstead continued his speech and shared his hot take on artificial intelligence via the announcer. praise frankensteinThe cast and crew, he declared, “shine with the artistry of them all in every frame of this movie, intentionally made by humans, for humans.”
Del Toro added: “It belongs to all of them and I want to express our gratitude and say, ‘F*** AI.'”
Worst: The verdict of Jafar Panahi
Jafar Panahi
Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for Gotham Academy of Film and MediaPanahi, 65, won best international feature film, best director and best original screenplay for the drama it’s just an accidentbut unfortunately, his victory was overshadowed by more grim headlines. Earlier on Monday, the Human Rights Activist news agency reported that the Iranian filmmaker had been sentenced to one year in prison and a two-year travel ban on charges of promoting anti-Iran propaganda.
BEST: Elle Fanning and Kristen Stewart’s fun relationship
Kristen Stewart and Elle Fanning
Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Gotham Academy of Film and MediaFanning, 27, shared some adorable banter with Stewart, 35, before they presented the Outstanding Leading Performance award to Sope Dirissu exist my father’s shadow.
“We share the same birthday: April 9th!” Elle said of Stewart, who added: “Her sister [Dakota Fanning] is my best friend. “
“Yeah, I finally get to hang out with you,” Ellie said with a smile.
Worst: No applause
For anyone watching the show at home, either the sound was turned off or no one applauded any of the winners, making each category feel awkward rather than jubilant.
BEST: Paul Thomas Anderson pays tribute to Maya Rudolph
Maya Rudolph and Paul Thomas Anderson
Kristina Bumphrey/WWD via Getty ImagesTaking the stage to compete for the Best Picture Award one battle after anotherWriter-director Anderson, 55, took a moment to pay tribute to his wife Rudolph, 53, saying: “On December 1, 24 years ago, I met the woman who made me a better filmmaker: Happy anniversary, Maya. Thank you.” Cue “Ahwwwwww.”
The lights of New York City lit up at the 2025 Gotham Awards as A-list couples graced the annual ceremony. The Gotham Academy of Film and Media celebrated the 35th Annual Gotham Film Awards on Monday, December 1. As fans tuned in to see which stars won each movie category, many were focused on Red […]
Best: Relatable King
while joining him in accepting tributes to cultural icons save me from nowhere director, Scott CooperWhite, 34, stammered.
“We are very grateful blues [Springsteen] allow us to enter [his] space. The actor, who plays his boss in the biopic, said he struggled to find the right moment to express his mythology. “Sorry, guys, I’m tired!” Allen admitted with a smile before handing the speech back to Cooper.
and take the stage to represent sinner, film producer Ryan Coogler Admit that you are nervous. Star: They’re like us!
