Two African films have secured five nominations at the 36th Gotham Film Awards, announced on Tuesday, 27 October 2026, by the Gotham Film & Media Institute, the New York-based nonprofit organization supporting independent cinema.
“Clarissa,” directed by Nigerian twin filmmakers Arie and Chuko Esiri, received four nominations, tying for the highest number this year alongside “All of a Sudden,” “La Gradiva,” “The Invite” and “Tender Loving Care.”
The Lagos-set reimagining of Virginia Woolf’s novel “Mrs Dalloway” is nominated for Best Feature and Best Adapted Screenplay, the latter recognizing Chuko Esiri. Sophie Okonedo received an Outstanding Lead Performance nomination, while India Amarteifio is nominated for Breakthrough Performer.
Distributed by NEON, “Clarissa” premiered in May 2026 at Directors’ Fortnight, the independent selection held alongside the Cannes Film Festival in France.
Rwandan filmmaker Marie-Clémentine Dusabejambo’s debut feature, “Ben’Imana,” received a nomination for Best International Feature.
The film, which examines reconciliation in Rwanda following the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi, won the Caméra d’Or for best first feature at the Cannes Film Festival on 23 May 2026. On 9 October, Rwanda selected it as the country’s first-ever submission for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film.
The Gotham nominations add to the international recognition of both productions following their Cannes premieres.
Winners will be announced on Monday, 30 November 2026, at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City.
Full list of 2026 Gotham Film Awards nominations: https://thegotham.org/press/the-gothams-nominations-36th-edition/