At the 2022 Gotham Awards, Focus Features vice chairman Jason Cassidy and chairman Peter Kujawski will receive the industry tribute award.
Cassidy joined Focus as marketing president in 2016 and was promoted to vice chairman of the company in 2019. Kujawski joined Focus when it was first established and became its chairman in 2016.
“For twenty years, Focus Features has been an essential component of the Gotham Awards, truly representing the pinnacle of independent film with its unparalleled slate of remarkable films.Jeffrey Sharp, executive director of the Gotham Film and Media Institute, said, “We salute Peter and Jason for continuing to make Focus Features a welcoming home for filmmakers while embracing innovative new ways to extend the studio’s stellar legacy.”In addition, Peter and Jason have been crucial partners in assisting The Gotham’s initiatives for emerging filmmakers, such as the Focus Features Jet Blue Student Short Film Program, which has given financial aid and recognition to twenty graduate film school students over the course of four years.
Adam Sandler and Michelle Williams were the first to receive performer tributes, and the Fire Island cast will receive an ensemble tribute.
In 2010, former Focus CEO James Schamus was honored by the industry at the Gotham Awards. Two of Focus’s most recent films, Tár and Armageddon Time, were nominated for Gotham Awards. Tár received five nominations, including one for best feature.Brokeback Mountain, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Lost in Translation, Milk, Moonrise Kingdom, Phantom Thread, BlacKkKlansman, Promising Young Woman, Belfast, and both Downton Abbey films are among the other notable films Focus, Universal’s specialty division, has released in its 20-year history.
Asteroid City by Wes Anderson, The Holdovers by Alexander Payne, Lisa Frankenstein by Zelda Williams, Champions by Bobby Farrelly, Book Club II, and My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 are on Focus’ 2023 schedule.
The 2023 Gotham Awards are scheduled to take place at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City on Monday, November 28, 2022.During the ceremony, the winners of the fourth annual Focus and JetBlue student short film showcase will be announced.
