THE 2010 GOTHAM INDEPENDENT FILM AWARDS HOSTED BY STANLEY TUCCI & PATRICIA CLARKSON

The IFP’s 2011 Gotham Independent Film Awards , presented by sponsors such as BaByliss Pro, CK Euphoria, Russian Standard Vodka, Andaz Wall Street, and BMW, were held at Cipriani Wall Street this past Monday night in Manhattan. I always look forward to this star studded soiree which happens every year in NYC. This year was even more special as it was the 20th anniversary for this event, which awards the best breakthroughs in independent film.

Natalie Portman image: getty

The Gotham Awards always brings A-List talent (Julianne Moore, Stanley Tucci, Annette Bening, Robert Duvall, Natalie Portman (decked in Lanvin for H&M, Tiffany & Co. earrings, and Christian Dior black clutch and pumps) and Bill Murray); as well as spotlighting top notch indie films like Winter’s Bone, The Kids Are All Right, Blue Valentine, Let Me In, and Black Swan. And let’s not forget the awe inspiring setting of Gotham itself.

Anne Hathaway image: getty

As I walked in, Gossip Girl’s Leighton Meester was decked in a suit and tie on the Red Carpet. Soon after, I saw Ethan Hawke entertaining a group of friends by the stage. A radiant Moore mentioned to me that her bold print black mini dress was designed by none other than Lanvin.

Harvey Keitel, John Turturro, and Julianne Moore image: jaka vinsek

Upstairs by the backstage green room, Amanda Peet was having an extremely lively conversation with Boardwalk Empire’s Steve Buscemi, and as soon as Winona Ryder saw Paul Rudd, she gave him a hearty hello as if she hadn’t seen him in years! A black lace dress wearing Hilary Swank, in attendance to receive her tribute award sponsored by Calvin Klein Euphoria (which smells lovely!), was one of the last to arrive but looked amazing when she did.

Hilary Swank receiving her tribute award from Tony Goldwyn image: jaka vinsek

Witty hosts Tucci and Patricia Clarkson opened the show and Stanley joked that he was John Turturro’s “lover,” which turned out to be the butt of a few jokes throughout the night. Clarkson also pointed out that is took until 2010 for a woman to receive the Oscar for Best Director (Kathryn Bigelow for Hurt Locker), while the Gotham Awards has had several Breakthrough Director female awardees over the course of its 2 decades. The Festive Genius Audience Award went to Davis Guggenheim’s Waiting For Superman, and Guggenheim joked, “it’s cool to be in this crowd…Bill Murray holy s*#t!”

Robert Duvall and Bill Murray image: jaka vinsek

Even celebrities get star struck! And speaking of that, a blithe Buscemi noted that when he met tribute recipient Robert Duvall earlier in the evening he was “so star struck that I forgot my name!” And the levity of the evening carried on when Duvall said that he loved Texas because of “instant recognition-a guy asked me if I was Terry Bradshaw!”

"Social Network's" Jesse Eisenberg along with Winona Ryder image: jaka vinsek

A good-humored Anne Hathaway wore a Dolce and Gabbana dress, Fred Leighton jewels, and Brian Atwood stilettos; and presented a tribute to James Schamus, the man responsible for putting her in Brokeback Mountain. In fact, she called him “a studio with balls” for taking a chance on her and facetiously remarked about her previous acting gigs until that point, “wearing tiaras in movies was so creatively rewarding!” Maybe others would beg to differ? Towards the end of the show, Tucci implored guests to raise their shot glasses full of Russian Standard vodka to toast the ceremony and take the shot. I know everyone at my table did!

Mark Ruffalo at the Andaz Wall Street after party image: jaka vinsek

Post show, we made our way to the Andaz Wall Street (one of my favorites in NYC-great service, beautiful rooms, and a wine offering upon check in!-for the after party which was produced by A-List Communications. Hurt Locker’s Anthony Mackie hung out with friends, as did honoree Darren Aronovsky, Twilight’s Peter Facinelli, and Bening who sampled some of the wine and salami at the fete. Also enjoying the night was the always handsome Mark Ruffalo, who caught the eyes of several ladies in the packed room. A great evening honoring fine independent films.

Here is the full list of winners from the 2010 Gotham Independent Film Awards show:

Best Feature: Winter’s Bone
Best Documentary: The Oath
Breakthrough Director: Kevin Asch for Holy Rollers
Breakthrough Actor: Ronald Bronstein for Daddy Longlegs
Best Ensemble Performance: Jennifer Lawrence, John Hawkes, Dale Dickey, Lauren Sweetser, Garret Dillahunt, Devin Breznahan for Winter’s Bone
Best Film Not Playing at a Theater Near You: Littlerock
The Festival Genius Audience Award: Waiting for “Superman”

Robert Duvall, Hilary Swank, Darren Aronofsky and Focus Features CEO James Shamus were honored with career tributes.

Click here to join Red Carpet Roxy on Twitter.

"Hurt Locker's" Anthony Mackie chatting with guests at the Andaz Wall Street after party image: jaka vinsek