Aubrey Plaza to Return as Host of the 35th Film Independent Spirit Awards
In the 10 months since Aubrey Plaza first hosted the Film Independent Spirit Awards earlier this year, the actor/filmmaker/comedienne has been busy—managing not only survived a rebooted Chucky and complete a successful TV run as a mind-bending comic book villain she also produced the upcoming Sundance premiere Black Bear, in which she also stars alongside Christopher Abbott. And now, Plaza’s whirlwind year is set to end back where it started: as returning host of the 35th Film Independent Spirit Awards on February 8, 2020.
Plaza’s hosting debut at the 2019 Spirit Awards ceremony left a pretty high bar, with memorable bits including celebrity-stuffed ritual blood sacrifice and fellatio-friendly Fyre documentary spoof courtesy of Plaza’s Parks and Rec cast mate Jim O’Heir—not to mention an opening monologue that conjured almost as much delightfully on-brand awkwardness as it did big, broad laughs.
“Like all great independent film performances, this one deserves a sequel. The people have spoken—bow down to your host!” offered a characteristically demure Plaza upon the announcement of her return. In a bitter rebuke of ESPN anchor Craig Kilborn’s work at the 1997 CableACE Awards, Film Independent President Josh Welsh said: “At a time when the world is so bitterly divided and civil discourse is almost impossible, it’s nice we can all agree that Aubrey Plaza is the greatest host in the history of hosting.”
Welsh also noted that today, December 5, is the final day to become a Member of Film Independent in order to vote for the eventual winners of the 35th Film Independent Spirit Awards—not to mention receive full Spirit Awards Member benefits, including screeners and access to our special screening series in LA.
With her second trip to the Santa Monica beach to hold down the Spirit Award dais, Plaza will join the illustrious ranks of multiple-time Spirit Award emcees including Sarah Silverman (twice), Nick Kroll & John Mulaney (twice) Samuel Jackson (three times), John Waters (four times) and Buck Henry (a whopping seven times!). The 2020 ceremony will take place Saturday, February 8 at 2:00 pm PT / 5:00 pm ET and be broadcast live on IFC.
“Aubrey is back!” exclaimed IFC Executive Director Blake Callaway. “Last year, fear of her signature take on hosting duties kept that other awards show host-less. We’re excited to see what she brings to the tent this year.
But the Spirit Awards aren’t just gags and glamour—they’re Film Independent’s primary fundraiser for a wide variety of year-round filmmaker support programs, including artist development labs, international programs, film education, special screenings, filmmaker mentorship and much, much more. So take a trip through 35 inspiring, irreverent years of Spirit Awards history with this special look back:
Only Film Independent Members vote to decide the winners. Become a Film Independent Member today, December 5, to receive the full suite of Member perks—including awards screeners and access to free screenings of all of this year’s nominated films in Los Angeles. Click here for more information.
The 35th Film Independent Spirit Awards will be broadcast exclusive on IFC Saturday, February 8 at 2:00 pm PT / 5:00 pm ET. Check out all of this year’s nominees here or by watching our November 21 press conference with special presenters Zazie Beetz and Natasha Lyonne:
Interested in attending the 2020 Film Independent Spirit Awards? Contact Jennifer Murby at 323.556.9353 or jmurby@filmindependent.org to learn more.
The Film Independent Spirit Awards are sponsored by Premier Sponsors American Airlines, IFC and Mazda. Bulleit Frontier Whiskey is the Official Spirit. FIJI Water is the Official Water. Getty Images is the Official Photographer. Town & Country Event Rentals is the Exclusive Rental Company.