FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Alia Quart Khan, Film Independent
Tel: 310 432 1287 or aqkhan@filmindependent.org

Ryan Collins, Ginsberg/Libby
Tel: 323 645 6800 or ryan.collins@ginsberglibby.com

 

LILY COLLINS AND TESSA THOMPSON TO CO-HOST
FILM INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS PRESS CONFERENCE

Nominations will be announced November 21, 2017

Awards Broadcast Live Exclusively on IFC
Saturday, March 3 at 2:00 pm PT / 5:00 pm ET

LOS ANGELES (October 26, 2017) — Film Independent announced today that Lily Collins (To the Bone, Rules Don’t Apply, Okja) and Tessa Thompson (Dear White People, Creed, Thor: Ragnarok) will co-host the press conference announcing the nominees for the 33rd edition of the Spirit Awards on Tuesday, November 21, at the Jeremy Hotel in West Hollywood. The Awards show will be held on Saturday, March 3, 2018 and will premiere exclusively on IFC. Nominations will be posted on spiritawards.com following the press conference.

The show, which will be held in a tent on the beach in Santa Monica, will be executive produced and directed by Joel Gallen of Tenth Planet Productions for the fourth consecutive year. Shawn Davis returns as producer for his 16th year and Danielle Federico and Andrew Schaff also return as co-producers.

The Film Independent Spirit Awards include the following categories: Best Feature, Best First Feature, Best Screenplay, Best First Screenplay, Best Director, 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 Editing, Best International Film and Best Documentary. This year marks the inaugural year of the Bonnie Award, funded by American Airlines. The Bonnie Award will recognize a talented, mid-career female director. Other grants for emerging filmmakers include the Jeep Truer Than Fiction Award, funded by the Jeep brand; the Kiehl’s Someone to Watch Award, funded by Kiehl’s Since 1851; and the Piaget Producers Award, funded by Piaget.

For information on how to become a sponsor of the Spirit Awards, please contact Albina Oks, Director of Corporate Sponsorship, aoks@filmindependent.org or 310 432 1252. To learn more about attending the Spirit Awards, please contact Jennifer Murby, Associate Director of Institutional Giving, jmurby@filmindependent.org or 310 432 1253.

 

ABOUT THE FILM INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS

Now in its 33rd year, the Film Independent Spirit Awards is an annual celebration honoring artist-driven films made with an economy of means by filmmakers whose films embody independence and originality. The Spirit Awards recognizes the achievements of American independent filmmakers and promotes the finest independent films of the year to a wider audience.

The Film Independent Spirit Awards are sponsored by Premier Sponsors American Airlines, IFC and the Jeep brand, as well as Principal Sponsors AT&T and Piaget. FIJI Water is the Official Water. WireImage is the Official Photographer.

 

ABOUT FILM INDEPENDENT

Film Independent is a nonprofit arts organization that champions independent visual storytelling and supports a community of artists who embody diversity, innovation and uniqueness of vision. Film Independent helps filmmakers make their movies, builds an audience for their projects, and works to diversify the film industry. Film Independent’s Board of Directors, filmmakers, staff and constituents is comprised of an inclusive community of individuals across ability, age, ethnicity, gender, race and sexual orientation. Anyone passionate about film can become a Member, whether you are a filmmaker, industry professional or a film lover.

In addition to producing the Spirit Awards, Film Independent produces the LA Film Festival and Film Independent at LACMA Film Series, a year-round, weekly program that offers unique cinematic experiences for the Los Angeles creative community and the general public.

With over 250 annual screenings and events, Film Independent provides access to a network of like-minded artists who are driving creativity in the film industry. Film Independent’s Artist Development program offers free Labs for selected writers, directors, producers and documentary filmmakers and presents year- round networking opportunities. Project Involve is Film Independent’s signature program dedicated to fostering the careers of talented filmmakers from communities traditionally underrepresented in the film industry.

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

 

ABOUT IFC

IFC is the home of offbeat, unexpected comedies. Original series Portlandia, Stan Against Evil, Documentary Now! and Brockmire air alongside fan-favorite movies and comedic cult TV shows. IFC is owned and operated by AMC Networks Inc., and available across multiple platforms. IFC is Always On, Slightly Off.

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