The 18th Annual Gotham Awards took place on December 2 at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City. The awards, presented by the IFP, the nation’s oldest and largest organization of independent filmmakers, is one of the leading awards ceremonies for independent film and the first major honors of the film awards season. At this year’s awards, hosted by Aasif Mandvi of “The Daily Show,” the IFP presented tributes to wOw’s own Sheila Nevins, president of HBO Documentary Films; actor Penélope Cruz; and filmmakers Gus Van Sant and Melvin Van Peebles. Of Sheila, IFP’s Executive Director Michelle Byrd said: “Sheila has unquestionably been one of the most influential forces in documentary filmmaking. She is almost singlehandedly responsible for bringing documentaries into mainstream popular culture. Her work has not only changed the documentary landscape, it’s opened minds and spurred change.” wOw’s Grande Dame of Dish, Liz Smith, presented the IFP tribute to Sheila. Click here for her introduction to the fabulous Sheila Nevins.