The 2017 Spirit Awards Grants Nominees have been announced! Grant winners will be announced at the annual Film Independent Spirit Awards Filmmaker Grants and Nominee Brunch on Saturday, January 7, 2017, at BOA Steakhouse in West Hollywood.

To view all of the 2017 Spirit Awards Grant Nominees, click on the links below:

Piaget Producers Award
Kiehl’s Someone to Watch Award
Truer Than Fiction Award

PRODUCERS AWARD

The Producers Award honors emerging producers who, despite highly limited resources, demonstrate the creativity, tenacity and vision required to produce quality independent films. The recipients of this award become Film Independent Fellows and receive unrestricted cash grants of $25,000. Past winners include Gina Kwon (Me and You and Everyone We Know), Caroline Baron (Capote) and Effie Brown (Real Women Have Curves).

2016 Piaget Producers Award Winner

Mel Eslyn

2015 Piaget Producers Award Winner

Chris Ohlson

2014 Piaget Producers Award Winner

Toby Halbrooks & James M. Johnston

SOMEONE TO WATCH AWARD

The Someone to Watch Award recognizes a talented filmmaker of singular vision who has not yet received appropriate recognition. The recipients of this award become Film Independent Fellows and receive unrestricted cash grants of $25,000. Past winners include Marc Forster (Everything Put Together), Andrew Bujalski (Funny Ha Ha) and Larry Fessenden (Habit).

2016 Kiehl’s Someone to Watch Award Winner

Felix Thompson, Director, King Jack

2015 Kiehl’s Someone to Watch Award Winner

Rania Attieh & Daniel Garcia, Directors, H

2014 Kiehl’s Someone to Watch Award Winner

Shaka King, Director, Newlyweeds

TRUER THAN FICTION AWARD

The Truer Than Fiction Award is presented to an emerging director of non-fiction features who has not yet received significant attention. The recipients of this award become Film Independent Fellows and receive unrestricted cash grants of $25,000. Past winners include Adele Horne (The Tailenders), Garrett Scott and Ian Olds (Occupation: Dreamland), Ross Kauffman and Zana Briski (Born into Brothels) and Errol Morris (Fast, Cheap & Out of Control).

2016 Truer Than Fiction Award Winner

Elizabeth Chai Vaserhelyi, Incorruptible

2015 LensCrafters Truer Than Fiction Award Winner

Dan Krauss, The Kill Team

2014 Stella Artois Truer Than Fiction Award Winner

Jason Osder, Let the Fire Burn