Hilary Swank feels 'honoured'

Hilary Swank says she feels honoured at the 20th Annual Gotham Independent Film Awards as they mean so much.

The actress was one of four individuals to be recognised as Tribute honorees at the ceremony and said:

"It's these small independent films that I love because I think they mirror life and more often than not give a newcomer an opportunity, which is the case with me and I'm just honoured."

Natalie Portman and Winona Ryder star in new psychological thriller Black Swan, directed by Darren Aronofsky, which has also received critical acclaim.

Aronofsky said: "It's a huge thrill to get recognised by them. I was really a struggling filmmaker with them so it's been a long road and it's kind of, it's moving and touching and to share a stage with these other filmmakers that are getting honored is big for me too".

The Gotham Independent Film Awards are the first honours of the film awards season and provide critical early recognition and media attention to worthy movies.