Gotham Independent Film Awards 2008

The 18th Gotham Independent Film Awards were awarded on December 2, 2008.

Winners and nominees

Best Film (Best Feature)

Frozen River

• Ballast
• Synecdoche, New York
• The Visitor
• The Wrestler

Best Ensemble Cast

Synecdoche, New York
Vicky Cristina Barcelona

• Ballast
• Rachel Getting Married
• The Visitor

Breakthrough Actor

Melissa Leo - Frozen River

• Pedro Castaneda - August Evening
• Rosemarie DeWitt - Rachel Getting Married
• Rebecca Hall - Vicky Cristina Barcelona
• Alejandro Polanco - Chop Shop
• Micheal J. Smith, Sr. - Ballast

Breakthrough Director

Lance Hammer - Ballast

• Antonio Campos - Afterschool
• Dennis Dortch - A Good Day to Be Black and Sexy
• Barry Jenkins - Medicine for Melancholy
• Alex Rivera - Sleep Dealer

Best Documentary Film (Best Documentary Feature)

Trouble the Water

• Chris & Don. A Love Story
• Encounters at the End of the World
• Man on Wire
• Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired