When the 17th annual Gotham Awards arrive on Tuesday, Mayor Bloomberg will be the toast of the evening, recognized by New York’s Independent Feature Project (IFP), perhaps the city’s most prominent organization for independent filmmakers, for his work in support of the local film industry.

But in doing so, IFP will be writing a most unlikely closing chapter to one of the most tumultuous, paradoxical years ever experienced by its membership. Never has a single year found the city’s independent film community so threatened, yet so validated, and the mere fact that the mayor is being honored next week rather than picketed is a testament to the collaboration that has united the city and its filmmakers.

The threat harkens back to the spring, when a lawsuit brought about an unexpected need to clarify and solidify the city’s rules governing film permits and shooting on public property. Michelle Byrd, IFP’s executive director, said she first became aware of the drama early in the summer, when an IFP colleague forwarded her an e-mail that outlined the proposed rule changes by the Mayor’s Office of Film, Theatre & Broadcasting.

“As a byproduct of a lawsuit, the city was forced to codify its rules about who did and did not need a film permit,” Ms. Byrd said. “And it was clear almost immediately that the rules were going to have a major impact on smaller filmmakers.”

Among many other provisions, the proposed rules stated that official film permits would be required for any shoot involving a gathering of two or more people for longer than 30 minutes (including setup and take-down of equipment), or if a tripod was used by a filmmaker at a location for longer than 10 minutes. Given the typical crew size required to set up a street-side shoot, the costly liability insurance that must accompany a film permit from the city, the basic equipment needs of filmmakers (most shoots do require a tripod or two), and the fact that shoots almost never go so smoothly that a scene can be filmed in 10 minutes, the independent film community was understandably perplexed by the proposal.

Responding to the outrage, Ms. Byrd contacted the mayor’s film office, informing it of the widespread, far-reaching implications of the new rules. In early August, the city backed off its initial proposals, and on October 29, thanks in large part to IFP’s efforts — which included helping to facilitate meetings between administration officials and independent directors — a new set of rules was announced that was less restrictive and more in tune with how modern films are made. For example, rather than basing permit requirements on crew volume and the duration of a shoot, the new proposal focused on the degree of sidewalk obstruction. Chief among the revisions was the disclaimer that “a permit would not be required if the production uses handheld devices or tripods.” But there was even bigger news: If a production requires vehicles and equipment, an “optional permit,” one that does not require the purchasing of liability insurance, will also be available.

Almost overnight, the panic of summer was replaced with the relief of autumn, and Ms. Byrd said she was blown away by the swift response, and decisive action, of the mayor’s office.

“To see the way they sprang into action, and the way they engaged this community at the highest levels of city government — it really solidified this whole idea of New York as the capital of independent filmmaking, that this discourse is part of what makes New York such a unique place to film and work,” she said.

As far as the city is concerned, the sentiment seems mutual. Contacted about next week’s Gotham Awards ceremony, which will “celebrate the independent voices behind and in front of the camera in the year’s best films,” Mr. Bloomberg issued a statement that not only embraced the artistic and economic importance of a flexible permit policy, but singled out IFP for its role in the process. “The City strives to support all types of filmmakers, and we are proud that independent filmmakers have consistently chosen New York as the backdrop for their films,” the statement read. “Together, with our partners in the industry like IFP, we’re finding new and innovative ways to support the industry, which pumps $5 billion into our economy each year, and employs thousands of New Yorkers.”

Tuesday’s award, however, which reportedly will praise the mayor’s “advancement of New York’s Film Industry,” is only based in part on this year’s permit drama. IFP has pointed to the manner in which the mayor’s office collaborates on various international programs. It has also called special attention to this year’s partnership with the Department of Small Business Services in launching a new program to provide stipends for below-the-line production crews that wish to pursue on-the-job training (essentially expanding the number of skilled crews available to work on new projects).

The latest revision of the proposed rules governing film permits (available at nyc.gov/film) has yet to be finalized. A public comment period is under way, and will continue through December 13, when a public hearing is scheduled on the matter. At that point, the Mayor’s Office of Film, Theatre & Broadcasting will review the comments, hear testimony, and make its final decisions.

While it’s not all that uncommon for a locally based film organization to honor a local politician, there is a poignancy to next week’s honor, given the tensions that flared earlier in the year, that attests to the relationship that has been forged between both the leaders of the city and its filmmakers. Ms. Byrd confessed that were it not for the anxiety earlier this year and the steady shift from words of panic to words of praise, Mr. Bloomberg would have little to do with next week’s celebration.

“It’s fair to say that when we made the invitation to the mayor, we already knew that his office was moving in the right direction on this issue,” she said. “But it became apparent, beyond our talk of permits, that this was a great opportunity to acknowledge a mayor and an administration who has worked hard on our behalf, and who has come to understand the importance of film as a major economic driver for the city. This is not just a politician, but a businessman with a background in media. He gets it.”

ssnyder@nysun.com