29th Spirit Awards Announce Call For Entries

  

LOS ANGELES (August 13, 2013) – Film Independent President Josh Welsh announced call for entries for the 29^th Film Independent Spirit Awards is open starting today.  The regular deadline for submissions is Tuesday, September 17 and the final deadline is Tuesday, October 15.  Please visit www.spiritawards.com for submission guidelines and forms. The nominations will be announced on November 26.  Piaget is returning as a premiere sponsor. The awards, which will be held on March 1, 2014, will premiere later that evening exclusively on IFC as part of a new two-year deal with the cable network.  Additionally, Film Independent, the nonprofit arts organization that produces the Spirit Awards along with the Los Angeles Film Festival and Film Independent at LACMA Film Series, also announced the addition of a Best Editing category.

“IFC has been our longtime broadcast partner and we’re thrilled to be renewing with them for the next two years,” said Welsh. “We’re also very happy to be recognizing editors in the Spirit Awards this coming year.  The critical importance of editing in the filmmaking process cannot be overstated, and it’s something we look forward to celebrating at the Spirit Awards.”

The 29^th Film Independent Spirit Awards will take place during the afternoon of March 1, 2014 at its signature tent on the beach and then air later that evening on IFC as part of a new two-year broadcast deal.  The show has long aired on the cable network alongside critically acclaimed movies and hit original shows such as Portlandia.

The addition of the Best Editing category reinforces Film Independent’s commitment to bringing recognition to those who have an important hand in the creation of independent film. In addition to the newly adopted category, the Film Independent Spirit Awards also honors those 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 and Best Documentary.  The Filmmaker Grants include the Someone to Watch Award, Stella Artois Truer Than Fiction Award, and the Piaget Producers Award.

As the first event to exclusively honor independent film, the Film Independent Spirit Awards has made a name for itself as the premier awards show for the independent film community. Artists receiving industry recognition first at the Spirit Awards include Joel & Ethan Coen, Spike Lee, Oliver Stone, Ashley Judd, Robert Rodriguez, David O. Russell, Edward Burns, Aaron Eckhart, Neil LaBute, Darren Aronofsky, Spike Jonze, Charlie Kaufman, Hilary Swank, Marc Forster, Todd Field, Christopher Nolan, Zach Braff, Amy Adams, Lena Dunham and many more.

In addition to celebrating the broad spectrum of independent filmmaking, the Spirit Awards is also the primary fundraiser for Film Independent’s year-round programs, which cultivate the careers of emerging filmmakers and promote diversity in the film industry.

ABOUT THE FILM INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS

Now in its 29^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, Best Editing, 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, and the Piaget Producers Award. 

 

ABOUT FILM INDEPENDENT

Film Independent is a nonprofit arts organization that champion’s 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.