Stanley Tucci and Patricia Clarkson to Co-host the 20^th Anniversary Gotham Independent Film AwardsÔ

Confirmed Presenters Include Julianne Moore, Anne Hathaway, Jesse Eisenberg, Barbara Kopple, Anthony Mackie, Leighton Meester, Rosie Perez, Sam Rockwell, John Turturro and Michelle Williams

New York, NY (November 15, 2010) – The Independent Filmmaker Project (IFP), the nation’s oldest and largest organization of independent filmmakers announced today that actors Stanley Tucci and Patricia Clarkson will serve as hosts of the 20^th Anniversary Gotham Independent Film Awards^™ Show on November 29^th in New York City.

Patricia Clarkson can currently be seen starring in the romantic drama, CAIRO TIME, which won the Best Canadian Feature award at the 34th Toronto International Film Festival. Following CAIRO TIME, Clarkson is also in theaters now in the features LEGENDARY and EASY A with Emma Stone and her Gothams co-host, Stanley Tucci. Clarkson last appeared in Martin Scorsese’s SHUTTER ISLAND alongside Leonardo DiCaprio, and in 2009 was seen in Woody Allen’s WHATEVER WORKS alongside Larry David and Evan Rachel Wood, as well as Stanley Tucci’s BLIND DATE opposite Tucci. Clarkson’s continuous innovative work in independent film earned her the Independent Award for Acting Excellence at the 2009 ShoWest Awards.  In 2003, her role in PIECES OF APRIL earned her nominations for Academy, Golden Globe, SAG, Broadcast Film Critics and Independent Spirit awards. The National Board of Review and the National Society of Film Critics named her Best Supporting Actress of the Year for her work in PIECES OF APRIL and THE STATION AGENT. On television, Clarkson won an Emmy in 2002 and 2006 for her guest-starring role on HBO’s acclaimed drama “Six Feet Under.”

Stanley Tucci has appeared in over 50 films and countless television shows. In 2008 Tucci starred in JULIE & JULIA and THE LOVELY BONES, for which he earned his first Academy Award nomination along with Golden Globe, BAFTA, SAG and Broadcast Film Critics nominations. In the past few years he has appeared in films such as THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA, THE TERMINAL and ROAD TO PERDITION. Tucci just wrapped CAPTAIN AMERICA and is filming THE FIRST AVENGER.  He can currently be seen in the upcoming musical, BURLESQUE and in EASY A, in which he re-teams with Patricia Clarkson.  Tucci has also done many films behind the camera including BLIND DATE, JOE GOULD’S SECRET, THE IMPOSTERS and BIG NIGHT.  Tucci is no stranger to the theater; and has appeared in over a dozen plays, on and off Broadway. Earlier this year, Tucci made his Broadway directorial debut with a revival of Ken Ludwig’s Lend Me a Tenor and received a Tony Award nomination for Best Revival of a Play. In addition to his accomplishments on film and the stage, Stanley was also nominated for an Emmy for his guest role as Dr. Moretti on “ER.” In 2007, his appearance on “Monk,” received critical attention as well as an Emmy Award in the category of Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series. Tucci also starred in the highly acclaimed HBO drama, CONSPRIACY, a film for which Tucci earned both an Emmy and Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor in a Made-for-TV-Movie or Miniseries.

“We were delighted to hear that Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman passed on hosting the Gotham Awards this year,” said Patricia and Stanley.  “It encouraged the two of us to launch a massive Twitter and Facebook campaign to get the hosting gig.  As two actors who love and respect each other’s work, and happen to be incredibly good friends too, what could be more fun than hosting the Gotham Awards on their 20^th Anniversary.  We took the job with the understanding that every time either of us says the word “independent,” everyone at home watching or attending the awards themselves must take a shot. Here’s to a fun evening for all.”

“We are thrilled that last year’s actor tributee, Stanley and indie stalwart, Patti Clarkson will be co-hosting the 20^th Anniversary Gotham Awards,” said Joana Vicente, executive director of IFP.

IFP also announced the first batch of confirmed presenters at the awards including:  Julianne Moore, Anne Hathaway, Jesse Eisenberg, Barbara Kopple, Anthony Mackie, Leighton Meester, Rosie Perez, Sam Rockwell, John Turturro and Michelle Williams

IFP’s 20^th Anniversary Gotham Independent Film Awards^™ ceremony will be held on Monday, November 29 at Cipriani Wall Street.  As the first major awards of the film season, the Gotham Independent Film Awards^™ provide critical early recognition and media attention to worthy independent films. Previous winners for Best Feature and Best Documentary include THE HURT LOCKER (2009), FOOD, INC (2009), FROZEN RIVER (2008), TROUBLE THE WATER (2008), INTO THE WILD (2007), SICKO (2007), HALF NELSON (2006), CAPOTE (2005), MURDERBALL (2005) and SIDEWAYS (2004). The awards are also unique for their ability to assist in catapulting its Breakthrough Actor recipients prominently into national awards season attention, including recent winners and ultimate Oscar® contenders: Melissa Leo (2008), Ellen Page (2007), Rinko Kikuchi (2006), Amy Adams (2005) and Catalina Sandindo Moreno (2004).

Awards will be given out across six competitive categories including: Best Feature, Best Documentary, Breakthrough Director, Breakthrough Actor, Best Ensemble Performance and Best Film Not Playing at a Theater Near YouÒ.  In addition actors Robert Duvall and Hilary Swank, director Darren Aronofsky and focus Features CEO, James Shamus, will each be presented with a career tribute.

This year, the IFP has created a new award, The Festival Genius Audience Award.  To be eligible, a U.S. film must have won an audience award at a U.S. or Canadian film festival from November 2009 through October 2010.  The Festival Genius community, 200,000 film fans worldwide, will vote online for the winner. To vote and see this year’s nominees go to http://gothamawards.slated.com.

The Premier sponsors of the 2010 Gotham Independent Film Awards^™ are The New York Times and The Royal Bank of Canada. RBC is also the sponsor of the Best Film Not Playing at a Theater Near You award.   IFP welcomes new presenting sponsor of the Actress Tribute award, euphoria Calvin Klein and presenting sponsor, Fox Searchlight; returning sponsors Focus Features and Deluxe Entertainment Services Group, Official Spirit, Russian Standard Vodka, Official Hotel, Andaz Wall Street, Official Partners MoMA and Slated  and preferred sponsor of the Breakthrough Director and Breakthrough Actor Awards, Alfred Dunhill.  The Gotham Awards will be promoted nationally in an eight-page special advertising section in The New York Times on Friday, November 19, 2010.

The previously announced list of the nominees for the 19^th Annual Gotham Independent Film Awards^™ can be accessed at http://gotham.ifp.org.

About the Gotham Independent Film Awards™

The Gotham Independent Film Awards, selected by distinguished juries and presented in New York City, the home of independent film, are the first honors of the film awards season. This public showcase honors the filmmaking community, expands the audience for independent films, and supports the work that IFP does behind the scenes throughout the year to bring such films to fruition.

For information on attending: http://gotham.ifp.org