2024 Gothams to Present Cast of Sing Sing with Social Justice Tribute
by The Gotham Staff on October 30, 2024
The Gothams Will Take Place in NYC on Monday, December 2, 2024
New York, NY (October 30, 2024) – The Gotham Film & Media Institute announced today that the cast of Sing Sing, directed by Greg Kwedar and co-written by Clint Bentley and Kwedar, will receive The 2024 Gotham Social Justice Tribute at the 34th edition of The Gothams, taking place live and in person on Monday, December 2, 2024 at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City.
The Gotham Social Justice Tribute was created in order to recognize the talented actors and filmmakers behind the most compelling purpose-driven films taken to the big screen. With this tribute, The Gothams will honor Sing Sing’s phenomenal cast for touching global audiences with the impactful real-life story of the Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA) program and its alumni.
“Sing Sing powerfully illuminates the indomitable spirit of those impacted by the systemic challenges of our prison system, while showcasing the profound, transformative power of the arts. The Gotham is honored to present this year’s Social Justice Tribute to such a joyous and groundbreaking project. We look forward to celebrating the cast and visionary team behind this remarkable film, recognizing their work as a catalyst for artistic excellence and social change,” said Jeffrey Sharp, Executive Director of The Gotham Film & Media Institute.”
Sing Sing follows a wrongfully convicted Divine G (Colman Domingo) as he finds purpose by acting in a theater group alongside other incarcerated men, including wary newcomer (Clarence Maclin) while imprisoned at the Sing Sing Correctional Facility. The stirring true story of resilience, humanity, and the transformative power of art based on the real-life program Rehabilitation Through the Arts, stars an unforgettable ensemble cast of formerly incarcerated actors and alumni of the program.
“I’m so grateful to the Gotham Film & Media Institute for honoring our film and the extraordinary group of artists who all made it possible to bring this story of humanity, strength and brotherhood to the world with such elegance and vulnerability,” said Sing Sing director Greg Kwedar.
“We are deeply honored to have been a part of this powerful project alongside such a devoted cast and crew, and grateful to the RTA alumni for joining us, and trusting us to come alongside them to help tell their stories,” Sing Sing producers Monique Walton and Clint Bentley added.
At the end of last month, Jon-Adrian “JJ” Velazquez, one of the film’s co-stars, was fully exonerated for his wrongful conviction after serving nearly 24 years in prison. Among those at the court showing support for Velazquez were Sing Sing co-stars Clarence Maclin, Sean “Dino” Johnson, Mosi Eagle, Patrick “Preme” Griffin, Kwedar and Buell, and several A24 staffers.
Following a premiere at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival, Sing Sing was released by A24 in the United States on July 12, 2024. Produced by Monique Walton, Bentley, and Kwedar, executive producers on the project include Teddy Schwarzman, Michael Heimler, Colman Domingo, Raúl Domingo, Larry Kalas, Larry Kelly, Nancy Schafer, Clarence Maclin, and John ‘Divine G’ Whitfield. Notably, Sing Sing operated on a community-based financial model, where each member of the cast and crew were paid the same rate and have all shared in the upside of the film’s success.
Winners of The 2024 Gothams will be honored at the awards ceremony at Cipriani Wall Street on Monday, December 2, 2024. The Premier Sponsor of the 2024 Gothams is Vanity Fair, the Official Water is FIJI Water, the Official Airline is JetBlue, the Official Spirits are Rabbit Hole Distillery, and the Official Wine is Wolffer Estate Vineyard.
About the Gotham Film & Media Institute
The Gotham celebrates and nurtures independent film and media creators, providing career-building resources, access to industry influencers, and pathways to wider recognition. The organization, under the leadership of Executive Director and award-winning producer Jeffrey Sharp, fosters a vibrant and sustainable independent storytelling community through its year-round programs, which include Gotham Week, Gotham Labs, Filmmaker Magazine, the Gothams, Gotham EDU, Owning It, and Expanding Communities.
About The Gothams
The Gotham Film & Media Institute presents The Gothams as two annual awards ceremonies celebrating innovative talent both on-screen and off-screen in film and television. As the first major event of both awards seasons, The Gothams shine a spotlight on groundbreaking work while advancing the Institute’s year-round mission to support independent storytelling.
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