(November 13, 2007) 2008 SPIRIT AWARDS WORKING TOWARDS GOAL OF BEING A ZERO WASTE EVENT


LOS ANGELES, CA (November 13, 2007) – As part of a company-wide greening initiative, Film Independent is implementing numerous changes to produce an eco-friendly awards show for the 2008 Spirit Awards. Changes will impact everything from the way members are able to view and vote on nominated films, to the food served at the ceremony and the power source used to cook it. The announcement was made today by Dawn Hudson, Executive Director of Film Independent. Nominees for the annual awards show will be announced on Tuesday, November 27, at the Sofitel LA Hotel in Los Angeles.

The 2008 Spirit Awards will take place on Saturday, February 23, in Santa Monica, California. Film Independent will work closely in association with the City of Santa Monica, which is one of the top five greenest cities in the country, in making the Spirit Awards a zero waste event.

"Our goal in implementing these changes is to show that it is possible to move towards a greener way of doing things without completely changing your life," said show producer, Diana Zahn-Storey. "In the same way that we've worked towards raising the public's awareness of independent film, we want to now take a leadership position in demonstrating how some simple changes can impact everyone's world for the better."

"Santa Monica has been proud to host Film Independent's Spirit Awards for the past 14 years," said Richard Bloom, Mayor, City of Santa Monica. "The city is thrilled by their efforts to create a zero waste event and is proud to continue our partnership with them."

In a strong effort to eliminate paper and energy waste, Film Independent has partnered with independent film discovery and distribution company B-Side to offer online streaming of nominated films as an option to voting members. Members who wish to vote must register online by December 1, 2007, at SpiritAwards.com. Only registered Film Independent members and IFP chapter members will receive voter information and the official ballot, which they can choose to submit online or by mail. Registered voters will also have access to view nominated films streaming online provided by B-Side.

"B-Side is the perfect fit for our company's efforts in greening the Spirit Awards as they have the capabilities and technology to help us execute our goal of moving towards a greener way of doing things," said Dawn Hudson, Executive Director of Film Independent.

"At B-Side, our goal is to help bring great and undiscovered independent films to market more easily and efficiently," said Chris Hyams, CEO of B-Side. "We are thrilled that our online distribution platform will enable Film Independent to deliver this year's Spirit Award-nominated films to their members without physical waste."

In addition to in-home streaming of films and voting online, additional efforts include the use of bio-diesel fueled generators and the recycling of numerous items including all food scraps, AstroTurf, wood, and plastic. All printed materials distributed for the awards – including the award show program book, which will include 10 tips for greening your film production – will be produced on 100% post consumer recycled paper using eco-friendly, soy-based inks. In addition, Film Independent will provide a ride-sharing program for those planning to attend the ceremony, which will be available on SpiritAwards.com. The catering, provided by Along Came Mary, will solely use organically grown produce purchased from local farms within a 150 mile radius of Los Angeles.

ABOUT THE SPIRIT AWARDS
Film Independent's Spirit Awards ceremony is sponsored by Premier Sponsors IFC, Netflix, Axium International, ELLE, AMC, and Piaget, as well as Principal Sponsors Acura, and Pop Secret. Casa Del Mar, Sheraton Delfina, and Shutters on the Beach are the Official Host Hotels. Wire Image is the Official Photographer of Film Independent. American Airlines is the Official Airline Partner of Film Independent.

Film Independent's Spirit Awards is a celebration honoring films made by filmmakers who embody independence and who dare to challenge the status quo. Televised in millions of homes and covered internationally by the press, the Spirit Awards has become the vanguard event in independent film, recognizing the achievements of independent filmmakers and promoting independent film to a wider audience.

Selected from more than 250 submissions, awards are given in the following categories: Best Feature, Best First Feature, Best First Screenplay, Best Director, Best Screenplay, John Cassavetes Award (given to the best feature made for a budget under $500,000), Best Male Lead, Best Female Lead, Best Supporting Male, Best Supporting Female, Best Cinematography, Best Foreign Film, and Best Documentary.
Spirit Awards winners are chosen by Film Independent members with voting privileges extended to IFP members. Voters attend nominee screenings and view nominated films online through a partnership with B-Side before selecting Spirit Awards winners. Additionally, voters who are Netflix subscribers can still access already released nominated films on DVD.

For more information, go to SpiritAwards.com.


ABOUT FILM INDEPENDENT
Film Independent is a non-profit membership organization of filmmakers, film leaders and film lovers that champions independent film and supports a community of artists who embody diversity, innovation, and uniqueness of vision. Film Independent helps filmmakers make their movies, builds the audience for their projects, and works to diversify the film industry. Anyone passionate about film can become a member, whether you are a filmmaker, film industry leader, or a film lover.

With over 250 annual screenings and events, Film Independent provides access to a network of like-minded film-lovers and artists who are driving creativity in the film industry. Film Independent also offers free Filmmaker Labs for selected writers, directors, and producers; provides cut-rate services for filmmakers; and presents year-round networking opportunities. Film Independent's mentorship and job placement program, Project:Involve, pairs emerging culturally-diverse filmmakers with film industry professionals.

Film Independent produces the Los Angeles Film Festival, celebrating the best of American and international cinema, and the Spirit Awards, a celebration honoring films and filmmakers that embody independence and dare to challenge the status quo.

For more information or to become a member, visit FilmIndependent.org.

ABOUT B-SIDE
B-Side provides acquisition, marketing and distribution services to independent filmmakers, film festivals, and distributors. Through a patent-pending technology that powers the Web sites for more than 100 international film festivals, B-Side has assembled the world's largest audience focus group for the discovery of independent films.

Partnerships with distributors such as IFC provide access to worldwide audiences and commercial opportunity for films that would have previously fallen through the cracks of the traditional film distribution system.