On November 27, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz officially opened the 17th Annual Gotham Awards at Steiner Studios at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. The Gotham Awards were established by IFP to honor the best in independent film making, and this year marks the first time the celebration was held at Steiner Studios, the new epicenter of New York City’s resurgent film industry.

The Brooklyn Borough President’s Office took an active role in assisting organizers with bringing the star-studded event to Steiner Studios, whose grand soundstage easily accommodated the more than 1,000 guests at this year’s awards presentation. Steiner is Brooklyn’s largest and New York City’s second largest film studio, and scenes from several recent movies, including Spider-Man 3 and Inside Man, have been shot there.

“I’ve been calling Brooklyn ‘Hollywood East’ ever since Steiner Studios opened in 2004, but now IFP has made it official—because what’s Hollywood without an awards show,” said BP Markowitz. “The Gotham Awards acknowledge the best in independent film, and more and more indies and major studio films are made right here. That’s right, Brooklyn is getting so much camera time that it needs to get top billing and maybe even an agent! When it comes to creative moviemaking, Brooklyn says, ‘Roll ’em!’”