Congrats to Shaka King on his Someone To Watch Film Independent Spirit award, which includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant. Also, Jason Osder’s Let The Fire Burn received the Stella Artois Truer Than Fiction Award, which comes with a $25,000 unrestricted grant as well.
The news was announced over the weekend by the nonprofit arts organization that produces the Spirit Awards, Film Independent, and the Los Angeles Film Festival, at the annual Spirit Awards Nominee Brunch held at BOA Steakhouse in West Hollywood.
Spirit Awards Honorary Chairperson Angela Bassett and actors Emily Mortimer and Alessandro Nivola hosted the event and handed out the honors.
“It’s an honor to have Angela Bassett join us as the honorary chairperson of the 2014 Film Independent Spirit Awards, and an equally great honor to have Emily Mortimer and Alessandro Nivola join us at the Spirit Awards Nominee Brunch as co-hosts,” said Film Independent President Josh Welsh. “These actors have demonstrated their commitment to supporting the independent film community and encouraging the next generation of filmmakers and it’s a pleasure to have them join us in celebrating this year’s honorees.”
He added: “Supporting emerging filmmakers is a cornerstone of our organization’s mission… These grants help ensure that their independent creativity can shine on. Congratulations to all the finalists and recipients.”
Indeed, congratulations to all, including Toby Halbrooks and James M. Johnston who received the Piaget Producers Award, which also comes with a $25,000 unrestricted grant.
The rest of the story…
Toby Halbrooks and James M. Johnston received the Piaget Producers Award. The award honors emerging producers who, despite highly limited resources, demonstrate the creativity, tenacity, and vision required to produce quality, independent films. The annual award, in its 17thyear, includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant funded by Piaget. Finalists were Jacob Jaffke, Andrea Roa and Frederick Thornton.
Jason Osder, director of Let the Fire Burn, received the Stella Artois Truer Than Fiction Award. The award is presented to an emerging director of non-fiction features who has not received significant recognition. The award is in its 19th year and includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant funded by Stella Artois. Stephanie Spray and Pacho Velez for Manakamana and Kalyanee Mam for A River Changes Course were also finalists for the award.
Shaka King, director of Newlyweeds, received the Someone to Watch Award. The award recognizes a talented filmmaker of singular vision who has not yet received appropriate recognition. The award is in its 20th year and includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant. The finalists for the award included Aaron Douglas Johnston for My Sister’s Quinceañera and Madeleine Olnek for The Foxy Merkins.
The Film Independent Spirit Awards are sponsored by Premier Sponsors Piaget, the Lincoln Motor Company and IFC and by Principal Sponsor Stella Artois. Dark Horse is the Official Wine of the 2014 Spirit Awards. WireImage is the Official Photographer and PR Newswire is the Official Breaking News Service of Film Independent.
Winners for the remaining categories will be revealed at the 2014 Film Independent Spirit Awards in a tent at Santa Monica beach on Saturday, March 1, 2014. The awards ceremony will premiere later that evening at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT on IFC, and as previously announced, writer, actor and comedian Patton Oswalt will serve as host of the ceremony.
For more information on submission guidelines, voting, media and publicist credentials, and the history of the Spirit Awards, please visit SpiritAwards.com.
