The 2025 Competitive Awards
There will be ten competitive awards for feature films in 2025. All eligible submissions must meet the strict criteria set forth by the nominating committee.
- Best Feature
- Best Documentary Feature
- Best International Feature
- Best Director
- Breakthrough Director
- Best Original Screenplay
- Best Adapted Screenplay
- Outstanding Lead Performance
- Outstanding Supporting Performance
- Breakthrough Performer
Eligibility Case Studies
To clarify our eligibility requirements regarding past recognition and career status, please review the following examples:
Phil Hanley
Has appeared in several films (e.g., I Feel Pretty) but holds no major film awards or widely reported film-specific nominations in public filmographies.
Trevor Wallace
Comedian and actor. Part of the ensemble that won an Award of Excellence for Best Ensemble Acting for the film/short On Deck. IMDb lists this award among his credits.
Alex Warren
Influencer and musician. Has received nominations related to entertainment awards (e.g., Kids' Choice 2025). These credits reflect crossover into broadcast rather than traditional film-industry awards.
Ani DiFranco
Recognized for music with multiple Grammy nominations. While not widely noted for major film awards, she has contributed music and performances to film-related projects.
Filmmaking with a Point of View
Each Gotham Award™ will be given to individual films or performers in films where the vision of an individual director, producer, writer, or writer/director is abundantly evident.
Best Feature Eligibility
Must be directed, and/or produced (credited "producer" or "produced by"), and/or written by individuals who are U.S. citizens or permanently U.S.-based. A minimum of two different individuals across these roles are required. If the film's director is American as defined and fulfills at least two of these roles, this is sufficient for eligibility.
Format & Length
The film submission must be of narrative or documentary feature-length format (a minimum of 70 minutes). The feature-film credit on a public platform like IMDb will be considered as evidence of format and length even if a director's cut or extended edit exists.
Screening Availability
The film submission must be submitted to and available for screening by the Academy. The film may not be available for public viewing (for example, on streaming) during the screening process. All screening links must be live and working from the day screening begins until the closing of the voting period, consistent with specific timelines published by the Academy.
Theatrical Release & Dates
Domestic Venues
JAN 1, 2025 – DEC 31, 2025
Must have had a commercial theatrical run (in a recognized theatrical venue with paid public admission, or official curated festival screening) of at least 7 consecutive days.
International/Expansion
Continued theatrical run
If a film receives international release or further theatrical expansion after its U.S. premiere, those screenings can be used to justify eligibility for any metro area or time frame.
Qualifying Metro Areas
A film's theatrical run must occur in a designated metro area for at least 7 consecutive days or more (if those are the only days shown):
- New York City (Five Boroughs)
- The Bay Area (Incl. Oakland, San Mateo, Palo Alto)
- Dallas–Fort Worth (taking a Tarrant County)
- Los Angeles County
- Greater Cook County
Note: Any film which fails the above release standards and wishes to file an appeal may provide an appeal narrative consistent with its submission. Appeals may not succeed; any case study or deviation from published requirements should be preemptively explained.
Additional Criteria by Category
View Category ChartsEach category may have specific requirements regarding eligibility criteria, submission materials, and deadlines. Please consult the detailed category charts for comprehensive information about your submission category.