NEW YORK, New York (X17online) - Terrence Malick's drama The Tree of Life and Mike Mills' comedy Beginners tied for best feature at Monday night’s Gotham Independent Film Awards.

Jury member Natalie Portman explained in a prerecorded message that the judges were “stuck” in deciding between the two as the year’s best feature film and therefore “made a bold and independent decision…to honor both.”

The Tree of Life, which stars Brad Pitt and Sean Penn, has already won the Palm d’Or at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival. Beginners, which stars Ewan McGregor and Christopher Plummer, has received critical acclaim since its premiere at the 2010 Toronto International Film Festival.

Additional winners at the ceremony included Felicity Jones for breakthrough actor in Like Crazy, Girlfriend for the audience award, the cast of Beginners for ensemble cast, and Scenes of a Crime for best film "not playing at a theater near you."

Actress Charlize Theron, actor Gary Oldman, director David Cronenberg, and film exec Tom Rothman also received Gotham tributes.