Tom Rothman to Receive Lifetime Achievement Honor at Gotham Awards

Fox Filmed Entertainment co-chairman-CEO Tom Rothman will be feted with the Independent Filmmaker Project’s 21st annual Industry Tribute at the Gotham Independent Film Awards on Nov. 28.

The lifetime achievement honor recognizes a career veteran who has significantly influenced the motion picture business.

Rothman, in addition to overseeing some of the biggest blockbusters in film history, has been a steadfast supporter of independent cinema since the beginning of his career.

In 1994, Rothman launched Fox Searchlight, one of the premiere producers and distributors of specialty film. Prior to Searchlight, he served as president of Samuel Goldwyn Films, where he began his film career.

"We are truly honored to dedicate our Industry Tribute to Tom Rothman, who has made an indelible impact in the film community. Through his work, he has supported the spirit of independent film and given these voices the means to reach audiences, irrespective of the budget size of their work,” said IFP executive director Joana Vicente.

“This year’s tribute embodies an astonishing breadth of work that we are proud to celebrate,” she continued.

Highlights of Mr. Rothman’s 17 years at Fox include Black Swan, Cast Away, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, Walk the Line, The Devil Wears Prada, Water for Elephants, The Simpsons Movie, Juno, Sideways, 127 Hours, Little Miss Sunshine, Moulin Rouge, and the two top grossing movies of all time: Titanic and Avatar, as well as the X-Men and Ice Age franchises.

Also during this period, Fox films were nominated for over 100 Academy Awards, winning three best picture awards, including Slumdog Millionaire in 2008.

Throughout his career, Rothman has championed some of the greatest filmmakers of the era, including Jim Jarmusch, Ang Lee, Kenneth Branagh, Anthony Minghella, Spike Lee, Danny Boyle, Baz Luhrmann and Bryan Singer.

Rothman also currently writes and hosts a series on the Fox Movie Channel entitled Fox Legacy giving history and commentary on classic films from the Fox library.

The Gotham Awards--which kick offs off awards season--will be held Nov. 28 at Cipriani Wall Street in New York.