named programs · 3 · from sources
What they call their work
Gotham Awards
Annual awards ceremony honoring independent film and television creators, including categories for breakthrough and outstanding performances and series.
Gotham Week
Annual event in New York City offering industry sessions, networking opportunities, and curated access for filmmakers and media creators.
Series Creators to Watch
Program in partnership with Series Fest highlighting emerging television creators with bold creative voices, offering access to Gotham Week and industry engagement.
activities · 2 groups
What they do
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Emerging Filmmaker Support Programs 4 activities
- Career Development Program for Film and Media StudentsRuns an eight-week virtual career development program for students in film and media, offering mentorship, curated sessions, pitch feedback, and shadowing opportunities at media companies such as Storm City Films. The program has delivered eight annual editions and has supported 190 alumni from 67 schools who have secured positions at major entertainment and media companies including A24, HBO Documentaries, NBC Universal, and UTA.
- Financial and Creative Support for Independent FilmmakersProvides $10,000 finishing grants to support narrative short films set in the New York City area, along with specialized mentorship, industry screenings during Gotham Week, and in-person networking events for selected filmmakers.
- Industry Ecosystem Support and Network BuildingProvides career-building resources, access to industry influencers, and pathways to wider recognition for independent film and media creators. Has supported over 10,000 film and media projects, provided resources to more than 30,000 filmmakers, and facilitated industry connections and collaborations over 40 years. Hosts quarterly advisory committee sessions with Expanding Communities partners to strengthen the nonprofit film and media ecosystem.
- Series Creators to Watch ProgramIdentifies and supports emerging series creators by announcing a "Creators to Watch" cohort at the Gotham Television Awards, providing selected creators with access to Gotham Week, including industry sessions and networking opportunities with the filmmaking community.
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Film Festival and Screening Programming 1 activity
- Gotham Week and Associated EventsOrganizes Gotham Week annually in Brooklyn, NY, which includes the Gotham Week Expo (a free public event), the Project Market (a curated marketplace connecting creators with industry professionals), Gotham Week Honors (an invitation-only recognition event), and the Expanding Communities Pitch. The event brings together independent film and media creators, industry professionals, and nonprofit organizations for networking, resources, and thought leadership.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$6.80M
Contributions & grants$3.42M50%
Program service revenue$3.37M50%
Investment income$3K0%
Other revenue$1K
expenses
Total expenses$6.94M
Program expenses82%
Admin / overhead12%
Fundraising6%
Salaries & benefits$1.93M
Grants paid out$2.40M
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$1.07M
Cash$630K
Investments$0
Liabilities$222K
Net assets$844K
Liquid reserves1.1 mo
3 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +21.4%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 5
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| JEFFREY SHARP | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $420K |
| KIA BROOKS | DEPUTY DIRECTOR | 40 | $197K |
| COLIN WHITLOW SR DIRECTOR | OF DEVELOPMENT & OPERATIONS | 40 | $192K |
| JEFFREY SIGMUND | CONTROLLER | 40 | $146K |
| REGINA DVORIN | DIRECTOR OF ADVERTISING | 40 | $115K |
board members · 20
- ALINA CHO — BOARD MEMBER
- AMY EMMRICH — BOARD MEMBER UNTIL SEPT. 2024
- ANTHONY BREGMAN BOARD CO-CHAIR — UNTIL SEPT., THEN BOARD MEMBER
- CELIA WINCHESTER — BOARD MEMBER
- COLMAN DOMINGO — BOARD MEMBER
- DANIEL CROWN — BOARD MEMBER
- DEE POKU — BOARD MEMBER
- DREW WILSON BOARD MEMBER — UNTIL SEPT., THEN CHAIR
- FRANKLIN LEONARD — BOARD MEMBER
- GERRY BYRNE — BOARD MEMBER
- HANNA RODRIGUEZ-FARRAR — BOARD SECRETARY
- JAMES JANOWITZ BOARD CO-CHAIR — UNTIL SEPT., THEN BOARD MEMBER
- JASON CASSIDY — BOARD MEMBER
- JEB BRODY — BOARD MEMBER
- JOHN SCHMIDT — BOARD TREASURER
- LISA TABACK — BOARD MEMBER
- NANCY ABRAHAM — BOARD MEMBER UNTIL SEPT. 2024
- RILEY KEOUGH — BOARD MEMBER
- SOLEDAD O'BRIEN — BOARD MEMBER UNTIL SEPT. 2024
- STEPHANIE MARCH — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 63
Who they work with
- Apple TV Plus Partner — Premier sponsor of Gotham Week 2025.
- Art House Convergence Partner — Partner organization in the Expanding Communities program, collaborating on creator advancement and industry access.
- Atlanta Film Society Partner — Partner organization in the Expanding Communities program, working to advance film and media creators.
- Austin Film Society Partner — Partner organization in the Expanding Communities program, supporting film creators through resources and access.
- Ava DuVernay Partner — Supported filmmaker and member of The Gotham's creative community
- Barry Jenkins Partner — Supported filmmaker and member of The Gotham's creative community
- Black Film Space Partner — Partner organization in the Expanding Communities program, dedicated to supporting Black filmmakers.
- Black TV & Film Collective Partner — Partner organization in the Expanding Communities program, supporting Black professionals in television and film.
- BlackStar Partner — Partner organization in the Expanding Communities program, advancing Black and diasporic voices in film.
- Brown Girls Doc Mafia Partner — Partner organization in the Expanding Communities program, supporting underrepresented documentary filmmakers.
- Center For Asian American Media (CAAM) Partner — Partner organization in the Expanding Communities program, supporting Asian American media creators.
- Chicken & Egg Pictures Partner — Partner organization in the Expanding Communities program, supporting women and gender-expansive nonfiction filmmakers.
- CineSPEAK Partner — Partner organization in the Expanding Communities program, contributing to creator development and industry dialogue.
- City of San Antonio Partner — Expo & Project Market sponsor of Gotham Week 2025.
- Decentralized Pictures Partner — Official Wine Sponsor and Expo & Project Market sponsor of Gotham Week 2025.
- Dee Rees Partner — Supported filmmaker and member of The Gotham's creative community
- Explore Minnesota Partner — Expo & Project Market sponsor of Gotham Week 2025.
- Film Fatales Partner — Partner organization in the Expanding Communities program, supporting women and gender-expansive filmmakers.
- Film Festival Alliance Partner — Partner organization in the Expanding Communities program, collaborating on industry advancement and creator support.
- Film SPC Partner — Expo & Project Market sponsor of Gotham Week 2025.
- Film Tampa Bay Partner — Expo & Project Market sponsor of Gotham Week 2025.
- Filmmaker magazine Partner — Provides members with digital and print subscriptions to Filmmaker magazine.
- Filmshop Partner — Partner organization in the Expanding Communities program, supporting independent media creators.
- French in Motion Partner — Bronze sponsor of Gotham Week 2025.
- Genesis House Partner — Official sponsor of Gotham Week Honors 2025.
- Genesis House Partner — Partnership to provide finishing funds, mentorship, and industry access for NYC-based narrative short films.
- Greenlight Coverage Partner — Expo & Project Market sponsor of Gotham Week 2025.
- Independent Filmmaker Project Partner — Board member Dan Crown serves on the board of Independent Filmmaker Project, indicating a formal organizational affiliation or partnership.
- Islamic Scholarship Fund Partner — Partner organization in the Expanding Communities program, supporting Muslim filmmakers and media creators.
- Kartemquin Films Partner — Partner organization in the Expanding Communities program, supporting documentary filmmakers and social impact storytelling.
+ 33 more
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Community-Driven Capacity Buildingmethodology: community-driven_capacity_buildingBy offering year-round programming and embedded support, we advance film projects and strengthen creative communities because sustained engagement fosters resilience, collaboration, and project completion.
- Creator Support Network with Career-Long Resourcesmethodology: creator_support_networkBy connecting independent media creators with industry influencers and providing cross-disciplinary resources across all stages of development, we sustain independent storytelling because sustained access to networks and support advances both individual careers and cultural impact.
- Inclusive and Ethical Storytelling for Cultural Impactmethodology: cultural_impact_through_inclusive_storytellingBy elevating original, diverse, and underrepresented voices and requiring ethical accountability to portrayed communities, we drive cultural change and industry inclusivity because authentic, responsible narratives generate deeper resonance and systemic transformation.