The road to the Oscars begins in New York City as The Gotham Awards and the New York Film Critics Circle Awards hand out their yearly honors in TV and film. Both awards are good indicators of films and actors that could shine come Oscar time.

What You Need To Know

  • “Nomadland,” starring Frances McDormand, wins Best Feature at the 30th Annual Gotham Independent Film Awards

  • “First Cow,” directed by Kelly Reichardt, wins Best Picture at The New York Film Critics Awards

  • Chadwick Boseman’s widow gives emotional acceptance speech for her late husband

The award season kicked of Monday night with the 30th Annual Gotham Independent Film Awards, followed by the New York Film Critics Circle Awards on Tuesday. This year, due to COVID-19, awards were handed out in virtual ceremonies.

“Nomadland,” directed by Chloe Zhao and starring Frances McDormand, won Best Feature at the Gotham Awards. The Best Actress award went to Nicole Beharie for “Miss Junteenth.” Riz Ahmed won the Best Actor award for his work in “Sound of Metal.”

Actor Chadwick Boseman’s widow, Taylor Simone Ledward, accepted the posthumous Gotham Awards Tribute Prize for the “Black Panther” star who passed away last year.

“It is my honor to accept this award for my husband. An acknowledgment not only of his profound work, but of his impact on this industry and this world,” Ledward said.

The “Made in New York” honor went to actor Jeffrey Wright for the work he’s done with “Brooklyn for Life,” an organization he co-founded to feed the city’s front line workers during the pandemic. In his acceptance speech, Wright spoke of the challenging times in Brooklyn.

“I’m thrilled that this award is in recognition too of some of my work off stage. This pandemic has been rough on all of us, don’t have to tell any of you that, but it was particularly challenging here in my home borough of Brooklyn,” Wright said.

Tuesday, at the New York Film Critics Circle Awards, Kelly Reichardt’s “First Cow” won for Best Picture. Delroy Lindo won best actor for “Da 5 Bloods.” Chadwick Boseman also won for “Da 5 Bloods” as Best Supporting Actor.

Sidney Flanigan won Best Actress honors for “Never Rarely Sometimes Always” and Chloe Zhao won Best Director for “Nomadland.”

Executive Director Jeffrey Sharp from, The Gotham Film & Media Institute, told NY1’s George Whipple he plans to hand out next years’ awards in person.

“We certainly have every intention of bringing everyone back home, if not just for the martinis and the cheesy appetizers that Cipriani is well known for, also for the amazing cocktail party where we all catch up. And, you know, that's the great thing about this, this show is the community.”