FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Contact: Greg Longstreet, Film Independent
Tel:  310.432.1287 or glongstreet@filmindependent.org

Gina Lang, Ginsberg/Libby
Tel: 323.645.6800 or gina.lang@ginsberglibby.com

ACTORS SALMA HAYEK AND JEREMY RENNER ANNOUNCED AS HONORARY CO-CHAIRS OF THE 2013 FILM INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS

– Ceremony to premiere on IFC, Saturday, February 23 at 10:00 pm ET/PT –

 LOS ANGELES (January 4, 2013) – Film Independent Co-Presidents Sean Mc Manus and Josh Welsh jointly announced that actors Salma Hayek and Jeremy Renner will serve as honorary Co-Chairs for the 2013 Film Independent Spirit Awards. The nonprofit, that also produces the Los Angeles Film Festival and Film Independent at LACMA film series bestows the Co-Chair honor to those who exemplify outstanding artistic achievement and embody Film Independent’s mission to nurture and support independent filmmaking.  Past Chairs include Halle Berry, Tom Cruise, Benicio Del Toro, Robert Duvall, Jodie Foster, Danny Glover, Harvey Keitel, Nicole Kidman, Ang Lee, Julianne Moore, Martin Scorsese and John Travolta.

“It is an honor to have both Salma and Jeremy join us as Co-Chairs of the 2013 Film Independent Sprits Awards,” said Film Independent Co-President Mc Manus. “Both continue to demonstrate their commitment to independent filmmaking and believe in the importance of supporting independent film as an artistic form of expression and encouraging the next generation of filmmakers.”

Hayek and Renner will attend the Spirit Awards Nominee Brunch on January 12 at BOA restaurant in West Hollywood where they will announce Film Independent’s grant winners for 2013.  The event precedes the 28^th Film Independent Spirit Awards which will take place as a daytime luncheon in a tent on the beach in Santa Monica on Saturday, February 23 with the premiere broadcast airing later that evening at 10:00 pm ET/PT on IFC.

Academy Award Nominee Hayek has proven herself as a prolific actress, producer, and director, in both film and television. She received an Academy Award Nomination, a Golden Globe Nomination, a SAG Nomination, and a BAFTA Nomination for Best Actress in the title role in Julie Taymor’s Frida.  Academy Award Nominee Renner continues to turn in career defining performances starting back in 2002 when he was nominated for a Film Independent Spirit Award for the title role in the film Dahmer.  He received Academy Award Nominations and SAG Nominations for his work in The Hurt Locker as well as The Town for which he also earned a Golden Globe Nomination.

The Film Independent Spirit Awards returns this year with longtime executive producer Diana Zahn-Storey.  Her production team for this year’s Spirit Awards includes Director and Producer Chris Donovan; Producer Shawn Davis, who has been a part of the show and produced the Spirit Awards for 10 years; and Producer John Hamilton, who has produced the Spirit Awards for 6 years.

The Film Independent Spirit Awards are sponsored by Premier Sponsors Piaget and Jameson^® Irish Whiskey and Lincoln and Principal Sponsor Stella Artois. WireImage is the Official Photographer, PR Newswire is the Official Breaking News Service of Film Independent and American Airlines is the Official Airline.

For more information on submission guidelines, voting, media and publicist credentials, and the history of the Spirit Awards, please visit SpiritAwards.com.

ABOUT THE FILM INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS

Now in its 28^th year, the Film Independent Spirit Awards is an annual celebration honoring artist-driven films made with an economy of means by filmmakers who 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.

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 International Film, Best Documentary, and the Robert Altman Award.  The Filmmaker Grants include the Someone to Watch Award, Stella Artois Truer Than Fiction Award, Piaget Producers Award and Jameson FIND Your Audience Award.
ABOUT FILM INDEPENDENT
Film Independent is a non-profit arts organization 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 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.

Film Independent produces the Spirit Awards, the annual celebration honoring artist-driven films and recognizing the finest achievements of American independent filmmakers.  Film Independent also produces the Los Angeles Film Festival, showcasing the best of American and international cinema and the 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.

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