gothams

INAUGURAL GOTHAM ICON TRIBUTE RECIPIENT: KATHLEEN COLLINS:
Since its founding in 1979, The Gotham has focused on recognizing and supporting diverse, compelling voices. As we have broadened the ways in which we discover and celebrate bold storytellers over the years, we have developed an even wider lens around the many iconic storytellers who we have not had the opportunity to honor, but whose lasting influence is clearly deserving of special recognition.

THE GOTHAM ICON TRIBUTE
is designed to serve as an elevated moment during the Gotham Awards to call attention to the boldness, artistry, and impact of a filmmaker from a marginalized community whose work has not been recognized by The Gotham Awards in its 30 previous years. The inaugural Gotham Icon Tribute will be given at the 2021 Gotham Awards to Kathleen Collins, and accepted on her behalf by her daughter, Nina Lorez Collins.

INAUGURAL GOTHAM ICON TRIBUTE REEL DIRECTED BY ASHA BOSTON

Director's Statement: "For the tribute to Kathleen Collins, I want to stay true to her ideology that commemoration is beyond highlighting the heroics of someone being “the first,” and instead, celebrate the exploration of their humanity that separates the myth and the truth. Thankfully, just like her personal philosophy, Kathleen’s life and legacy of film work are groundbreaking, revolutionary, and delightfully rebellious. At this pivotal time in our nation’s history and moment of reconciliation, there’s no way to truly make up for the years her work was left unrecognized by decision-makers of her time and hidden in the binds of marble notebooks and film canisters. However, I’m grateful to be a part of a vanguard of black women artists and filmmakers using our platform and storytelling expertise to re-introduce the world to an archive of work that will continue to challenge and change it for the better."