Tonight, the Gotham Film & Media Institute paid tribute to the late Sidney Poitier at the awards ceremony held at Cipriani Wall Street in NYC.
Deadline previously reported that the Gotham Awards Advisory Committee planned to pay tribute to the actor’s significant influence on Hollywood by becoming the first black man to win a Best Actor Oscar for the 1964 film. lilies of the field. He also had an illustrious directing and stage career with films such as A warm December and Saturday night downtown and starred in Lorraine Hansberrys A raisin in the sun on Broadway in 1959, in addition to starring in the 1961 film adaptation.
The actor died earlier this year at his home in Beverly Hills, California. He was 94 years old. The Gotham Awards commissioned Devotion actor Jonathan Majors to kick off the captivating 2022 Gotham Icon Tribute and presented the award to the Poitier family in attendance.
“His activism is changing movies and the way we see ourselves,” Majors said.
Before Poitier’s three daughters take the stage to accept the award, Majors recites the posthumous tribute he wrote to the actor after his death.
“You activated the rebel in me and took my artistry to another level. This was my entry into the artistic avant-garde. Of that you, sir, would be the chief executive.
Next, the producer of the Apple TV documentary about Poitier’s life gave a heartfelt speech about how the actor was his hero.
“Staring at that show and seeing To Sir With Love made a lasting impression on me,” he said. He reports that when Portier was born, his mother visited a local fortune teller who told her: “Your son will travel the world with kings. He will become famous and will carry your name to all corners of the world. This is the beginning of it and the rest is an epic, inspiring journey.”
His three daughters Anika, Pamela and Sherri Poitier accepted the Icon Award. “Our father had a deep and passionate love for independent cinema. Its groundbreaking impact has opened and will continue to open so many doors.”
Her speech was short, sweet and followed by an announcement from Jonathan Majors that no one heard.
“Oublik! Don’t leave the stage yet,” he says. “We’re launching the Gotham-Sidney-Poitier initiative. SPI aims to extend their legacy to a new generation of filmmakers. The program includes mentorship, project funding and career development in.”
There is no other way to recognize Poitier’s work than with a program to help others achieve the same goals as an initiative in his honor.
Author: Valerie complex
Source: Deadline
Ashley Root is an author and celebrity journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a keen eye for all things celebrity, Ashley is always up-to-date on the latest gossip and trends in the world of entertainment.
