2023 Gotham Awards: Ben Affleck’s ‘Air’ to receive Visionary Icon and Creator Tribute

The Gotham Awards have announced that actor and filmmaker Ben Affleck‘s “Air” will be honored with the Visionary Icon and Creator Tribute when awards are handed out on Monday night, November 27, at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City.

“Air” follows Sonny Vaccaro (played by Matt Damon), the basketball talent scout for Nike who in 1984 fought to bring fledgling talent Michael Jordan onboard as a new spokesperson for the company’s basketball shoes. In addition to directing the film, Affleck has a co-starring role as Nike co-founder and CEO Phil Knight. This is the fifth feature film Affleck has helmed, following “Gone Baby Gone” (2007), “The Town” (2010), “Argo” (2012) and “Live by Night” (2016). All of those were nominated for Oscars save “Live by Night,” with “Argo” winning Affleck the award for Best Picture.

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SEE‘Air’ will aim for comedy/musical nominations at the Golden Globes

The Gotham Film and Media Institute Executive Director Jeffrey Sharp said in a statement, “Both gripping and hilarious, ‘Air’ is a deeply refreshing reminder to the film industry that audiences respond to smart, original narratives. By capturing the dramatic story behind the most monumental partnership in the history of sports marketing, the film highlights the power of knowing your worth and using that knowledge to take the right risks. We are privileged to honor both the story behind a legend and the ‘Air’ team who brought that story to life with the Visionary Icon and Creator Tribute.”

Now in their 33rd year, the Gotham Awards honor the year’s best independent films. It was also announced recently that “Rustin” will receive the Icon and Creator Tribute for Social Justice. Nominees  for the awards will be announced on Tuesday, October 24.

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CORRECTION: A previous version of this article mistakenly reported that Ben Affleck would be receiving the tribute. It’s his film “Air” specifically that will be honored.

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