Gotham Independent Film Awards 2008

The 18th Annual Gotham Independent Film Awards were held on December 2, 2008.

Winners and nominees

Best Feature

Frozen River

• Ballast
• Synecdoche, New York
• The Visitor
• The Wrestler

Best Documentary

Trouble the Water

• Chris & Don. A Love Story
• Encounters at the End of the World
• Man on Wire
• Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired

Best Ensemble Performance

Synecdoche, New York (TIE)
Vicky Cristina Barcelona (TIE)

• Ballast
• Rachel Getting Married
• The Visitor

Breakthrough Actor

Melissa Leo – Frozen River

• Pedro Castaneda – August Evening
• Rosemarie DeWitt – Rachel Getting Married
• Rebecca Hall – Vicky Cristina Barcelona
• Alejandro Polanco – Chop Shop
• Micheal J. Smith Sr. – Ballast

Breakthrough Director

Lance Hammer – Ballast

• Antonio Campos – Afterschool
• Dennis Dortch – A Good Day to Be Black and Sexy
• Barry Jenkins – Medicine for Melancholy
• Alex Rivera – Sleep Dealer