FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact: Seanna Hore, Ginsberg/Libby
seanna.hore@ginsberglibby.com

Gladys Santos, Ginsberg/Libby
gladys.santos@ginsberglibby.com
 

LOS ANGELES (August 22, 2023) – Film Independent announced today that it is accepting film and television submissions for the 2024 Film Independent Spirit Awards, taking place Sunday, February 25. The organization also announced the addition of Best Breakthrough Performance in a New Scripted Series in the television acting categories, as well as the addition of Hot Docs Film Festival to the list of festivals through which feature films can qualify for Spirit Awards consideration. The Spirit Awards is the primary fundraiser for Film Independent’s year-round programs that cultivate the careers of emerging filmmakers and promote inclusion in the industry.

“We could not be more excited to welcome Hot Docs as a qualifying festival for the Spirit Awards and to expand our recognition of actors with the category of Best Breakthrough Performance in a New Scripted Series,” said Josh Welsh, President of Film Independent. “We’re thrilled to open submissions for the 2024 Film Independent Spirit Awards and to celebrate the very best film and television that came out in this most turbulent year.”

Following last year’s highly embraced introduction of non-gendered Film and Television award categories, the addition of an exciting new category, Best Breakthrough Performance in a New Scripted Series, will round out the Television categories. The list of Spirit Awards performance categories, all of which are gender neutral, includes:

Film

Best Lead Performance (10 nominees)
Best Supporting Performance (10 nominees)
Best Breakthrough Performance (5 nominees)

Television

Best Lead Performance in a New Scripted Series (10 nominees)
Best Supporting Performance in a New Scripted Series (10 nominees)
Best Breakthrough Performance in a New Scripted Series (5 nominees) *new award
 
The Spirit Awards Submissions Deadlines are:

Early Deadline: September 5, 2023
Regular Deadline: September 19, 2023
Final Deadline: October 3, 2023
Extended Deadline for Arts Circle and Filmmaker Pro Members: October 6, 2023
 
The Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival is the largest documentary festival in North America and takes place annually in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Founded in 1993 by the Documentary Organization of Canada (formerly the Canadian Independent Film Caucus), a national association of independent documentary filmmakers, Hot Docs became a separately incorporated organization in 1996, with a mandate to showcase and support the work of Canadian and international documentary filmmakers and to promote excellence in documentary production.

Film Independent Members comprise the exclusive voting body that determines the winners of the Film Independent Spirit Awards. Members are filmmakers, film industry leaders and film lovers. Anyone passionate about film can join at filmindependent.org/join to be eligible to vote for the winners of the Spirit Awards and receive full nominee screening privileges. Vision Media is the Exclusive Screening Partner of the Film Independent Spirit Awards. To learn more about voting and Membership, please contact Evan Ward-Henninger at eward-henninger@filmindependent.org.

Please visit spiritawards.com for additional details, including submission and eligibility guidelines.

For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Kate Walker D’Angelo at 323 556 9352 or kwalker@filmindependent.org.

To learn more about attending the Spirit Awards and supporting Film Independent, please contact Jennifer Murby at 323 556 9353 or jmurby@filmindependent.org.
 

ABOUT FILM INDEPENDENT

For over 40 years, Film Independent has helped filmmakers get their projects made and seen. The nonprofit organization’s core mission is to champion creative independence in visual storytelling in all its forms, and to foster a culture of inclusion. We support a global community of artists and audiences who embody diversity, innovation, curiosity and uniqueness of vision.

In addition to producing the Film Independent Spirit Awards, the organization supports creative professionals with Artist Development programs, grants and labs. Signature mentorship program Project Involve fosters the careers of talented filmmakers from underrepresented communities. Education events and workshops equip filmmakers of all ages and experience levels with tools and resources. Global Media Makers, a cultural exchange program produced in partnership with the U.S. Department of State, provides career-building opportunities for international film professionals. And year-round screening series Film Independent Presents offers a robust program of unique cinematic experiences, including screenings, conversations, Live Reads and Bring the Noise musical events.

For more information or to become a Member, visit filmindependent.org.