| Gotham Independent Film Award for Breakthrough Director | |
|---|---|
 The 2023 recipient: A.V. Rockwell | |
| Country | United States |
| Presented by | The Gotham Film & Media Institute |
| First awarded | Jennie Livingston for Paris Is Burning (1991) |
| Currently held by | A. V. Rockwell for A Thousand and One (2023) |
| Website | awards |
The Bingham Ray Breakthrough Director Award is one of the annual Gotham Independent Film Awards and honors feature film directorial debuts. Named after Bingham Ray since 2013,[1][2] the breakthrough director award was first given in 1991 as the Open Palm Award, with Jennie Livingston being the first recipient of the award, for her work in Paris Is Burning. From 1991 to 1996 only the winner was announced, since 1997, a set of 5 to 6 nominees is presented annually.
- ^ "IFP's 23rd Annual Gotham Independent Film Awards Ceremony to Take Place on Monday December 2nd at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City". Independent Filmmaker Project. July 31, 2013. Retrieved October 7, 2018.
The Breakthrough Director Award, given for the best first feature, has been renamed in honor of Bingham Ray, the late distribution executive.
- ^ Cox, Gordon (July 31, 2013). "Gotham Awards Set 2013 Dates, New Categories". Variety. Retrieved October 7, 2018.