Preview for the “Spirit Awards” in LA on February 23, 08
RAINN WILSON TO SERVE
AS MASTER OF CEREMONIES FOR THE
2008 FILM INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS
Show is Granted a Waiver by WGA
LOS ANGELES, CA (December 20, 2007) – Film Independent announced today that Rainn Wilson will serve as Master of Ceremonies for the 2008 Spirit Awards, to take place in a tent on the beach in Santa Monica on Saturday, February 23, 2008. Wilson, best known for his role as a paper salesman, nonetheless, on NBC’s “The Office,” will be hosting a more eco-friendly awards show, as Film Independent engages in a company-wide greening initiative.
Film Independent was granted a waiver by the Writer’s Guild of America in order for the Spirit Awards to hire WGA writers. As a member of the WGA, Wilson in addition to his hosting duties will also serve as a writer for the show.
The 2008 ceremony will air live and uncut beginning at 5:00p.m. EST on IFC (Independent Film Channel), with an edited re-broadcast of the ceremony airing later that evening on AMC at 10:00 p.m.
Nominations for the 2008 Film Independent Spirit Awards were announced on Tuesday, November 27, 2007 with “I’m Not There” receiving the inaugural Robert Altman Award, to be presented to the film’s director, casting director and its ensemble cast. Diana Zahn-Storey returns to executive produce the event for the fourteenth consecutive year.
“We have been so lucky in the past to have a string of original hosts for the Spirit Awards and that trend continues with Rainn,” Diana Zahn-Storey, Sprit Awards executive producer commented. “The Spirit Awards are going through a type of renewal with our greening initiative and we know that Rainn will be able to inject new ideas into this year’s ceremony as well.”
"Film Independent and the Spirit Awards have a history of providing a fresh perspective—one that reflects the voices of the filmmakers we represent," said Dawn Hudson, executive director, Film Independent. "We are proud to give our talented, new host a platform to express his original voice and unique perspective.”
“It is truly an honor to be asked to host an awards show that salutes the cutting edge in cinema. I like to think that I bring a bit of an ‘independent spirit’ to the proceedings as I recently installed a gun-rack in my Prius,” said Rainn Wilson.
“IFC is proud to again broadcast the only uncut, uncensored awards show on television, and thrilled to have Rainn Wilson to host,” added Evan Shapiro, IFC’s Executive Vice President and General Manager. “Despite mainstream success, Rainn truly represents independent culture and has a brilliant comic mind – he is the perfect irreverent voice for the Spirits and our audiences.”
Wilson can currently be seen on NBC in the fourth season of the Emmy and Screen Actors Guild Award Winning series for Best Comedy, the American version of “The Office,” alongside Steve Carell, John Krasinski and Jenna Fisher. Endearing himself to millions, he earned his first Emmy nomination this year in the supporting actor category for his portrayal of Dwight Schrute, an eccentric paper salesman whose ego knows no bounds, dreams of being “#2” and fervently torments his colleagues in his own lovable, pathetic fashion.
Upcoming for Wilson is “The Rocker,” a music-themed comedy that follows a failed, down-and-out drummer (Wilson) who, twenty years after being kicked out of his now-famous group, gets a second chance – with his nephew’s high school rock band. The film is being released through Shawn Levy and Tom McNulty’s 21 Laps Entertainment banner for Fox Atomic in March, 2008. He is also currently in pre-production on ”Bonzai Shadowhands,” a dark comedy that he will both write and star in for Fox Searchlight, which Jason Reitman (”Thank You for Smoking,” ”Juno”) is set to direct and produce through his shingle Hard C. The story revolves around a once-great ninja who is now living a life of mediocrity somewhere in California’s San Fernando Valley.
Wilson was most recently seen in the fantasy family feature “The Last Mimzy,” alongside Joely Richardson and Tim Hutton. Other film credits include Ivan Reitman’s comedy for 20th Century Fox, ”Super Ex-Girlfriend,” opposite Luke Wilson and Uma Thurman; “Sahara,” with Matthew McConaughey, Steve Zahn, and Penelope Cruz; ”Baadasssss;” Steven Soderbergh’s ”Full Frontal;” Cameron Crowe’s ”Almost Famous;” ”America’s Sweetheart;” ”House of 1,000 Corpse” and ”Galaxy Quest.” Prior to “The Office,” Wilson was best known for his role as Arthur Martin, the pitiable mortician’s apprentice on HBO’s Emmy Award winning television series, “Six Feet Under.” He has also guest-starred on “CSI,” “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” “Dark Angel” and “Monk,” and he co-starred in the television movie “When Billy Beat Bobby.”
ABOUT THE SPIRIT AWARDS
The 2008 Film Independent’s Spirit Awards ceremony is sponsored by Premier Sponsors IFC, Netflix, Axium International, ELLE, AMC, and Piaget, as well as Principal Sponsors Acura, Pop Secret, and Biolage Professional Haircare. Casa Del Mar, Sheraton Delfina, and Shutters on the Beach are the Official Host Hotels. Wire Image is the Official Photographer of Film Independent. American Airlines is the Official Airline Partner of Film Independent. ON3 Productions are the producers of the Official 2008 Film Independent Spirit Awards General Attendee Gift Bag and Presenter Gift Lounge.
Film Independent’s Spirit Awards is a celebration honoring films made by filmmakers who embody independence and who dare to challenge the status quo. Televised in millions of homes and covered internationally by the press, the Spirit Awards has become the vanguard event in independent film, recognizing the achievements of independent filmmakers and promoting independent film to a wider audience.
Selected from more than 250 submissions, 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 Foreign Film, and Best Documentary.
Spirit Awards winners are chosen by Film Independent members with voting privileges extended to IFP members. Voters attend nominee screenings and view nominated films online through a partnership with B-Side before selecting Spirit Awards winners. Additionally, voters who are Netflix subscribers can still access already released nominated films on DVD.
For more information, go to SpiritAwards.com.
ABOUT FILM INDEPENDENT
Film Independent is a non-profit membership organization of filmmakers, film leaders and film lovers 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 the audience for their projects, and works to diversify the film industry. Anyone passionate about film can become a member, whether you are a filmmaker, film industry leader, or a film lover.
With over 250 annual screenings and events, Film Independent provides access to a network of like-minded film-lovers and artists who are driving creativity in the film industry. Film Independent also offers free Filmmaker Labs for selected writers, directors, and producers; provides cut-rate services for filmmakers; and presents year-round networking opportunities. Film Independent’s mentorship and job placement program, Project:Involve, pairs emerging culturally-diverse filmmakers with film industry professionals.
Film Independent produces the Los Angeles Film Festival, celebrating the best of American and international cinema, and the Spirit Awards, a celebration honoring films and filmmakers that embody independence and dare to challenge the status quo.
For more information or to become a member, visit FilmIndependent.org.
JAVIER BARDEM NAMED HONORARY CHAIR FOR THE
2008 FILM INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS
Presenters and Performers Announced For 2008 Awards Show
LOS ANGELES (February 15, 2008) – Film Independent announced today that Javier Bardem will serve as Honorary Chair at the 2008 Spirit Awards held on February 23 in Santa Monica. As Honorary Chair, Bardem will be a presenter at the ceremony, which is being hosted this year by Rainn Wilson. A Spirit Award winner in 2001 for Best Male Lead for his role as Reinaldo Arenas in Julian Schnabel’s “Before Night Falls,” Bardem joins a list of previous Honorary Chairs that include Maggie Gyllenhaal and Terrence Howard, who served as co-Chairs in 2007, as well as Halle Berry, Tom Cruise, Benicio Del Toro, Jodie Foster, Samuel L. Jackson, Salma Hayek, Nicole Kidman, Ang Lee, Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino, and Naomi Watts.
Honorary Chairs are selected for their outstanding achievements in film as well as their commitment to Film Independent’s overall mission to celebrate the wide spectrum of independent filmmaking. The announcement was made today by Dawn Hudson, Executive Director of Film Independent.
“Javier’s passion as an artist who makes daring choices and his commitment to telling meaningful stories make him a wonderful representation of the filmmakers we champion at Film Independent," said Hudson. "In a time when filmmakers must work harder than ever to find a platform for their films, we are thrilled to have such a diverse representation of presenters and supporters who aid us in putting the spotlight on the endeavors of this year’s Spirit Awards nominees."
Additional presenters for this year’s show include Alan Arkin, Jason Bateman, Kate Beckinsale, Maria Bello, Cate Blanchett, Zach Braff, Maggie Cheung, Patricia Clarkson, Bryan Cranston, Shareeka Epps, Jon Hamm, Josh Hartnett, Felicity Huffman, Allison Janney, Lisa Kudrow, Eva Mendes, Ellen Page, Ryan Reynolds, Keri Russell, Julian Schnabel, Kerry Washington, Dennis Quaid, John Waters, Forest Whitaker, Tom Wilkinson, and Steve Zahn.
Other highlights in this year’s ceremony include the Spirit Awards’ signature musical performances including, Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova (Once), Kimya Dawson of the Moldy Peaches (Juno), and Metal Skool.
The 2008 Film Independent’s Spirit Awards will take place in a tent on the beach in Santa Monica on Saturday, February 23, 2008. As previously announced, Rainn Wilson will serve as Master of Ceremonies. The show airs live beginning at 5:00pm ET and 2:00pm PT on IFC (Independent Film Channel) with an edited re-broadcast later that evening on AMC at 10:00pm ET. Special footage of the event’s red carpet festivities will begin streaming live exclusively on IFC.com at 11:30am PT.
Currently nominated for an Academy Award© for Best Supporting Actor for his role as the chilling Anton Chigurh, in "No Country for Old Men," Bardem made history in 2001 when he was the first Spaniard to be nominated for an Academy Award as Best Actor for his portrayal of the Cuban poet and dissident Reinaldo Arenas in Julian Schnabel’s “Before Night Falls,” for which he was also named Best actor at the Venice Film festival as well as garnering Best Actor honors from the National Society of Film Critics, the Spirit Award and the National Board of Review, and a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor. In his current role, Bardem has already received numerous accolades including a Golden Globe, Screen Actors Guild and NY Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actor, as well as sharing with the rest of the cast, which also includes Tommy Lee Jones, Josh Brolin and Woody Harrelson, in a Screen Actors Guild award for Best Ensemble.
In 2004 Bardem won another Best Actor Award from the Venice Film Festival (only one other actor has won the Best Actor Award twice in Venice) for his performance in Alejandro Amenabar’s film “The Sea Inside,” a role for which he also won a Goya Award and received a Golden Globe nomination. Bardem’s other film credits include Luna’s “Golden Balls,” Leon De Aranoa’s “Monday’s in the Sun” (Best Picture winner, San Sebastian Film Festival and Goya, Best Actor), “Dias Contados” (Best Actor, San Sebastian), “Mouth to Mouth,” “Ecstasy,” Almodovar’s “Live Flesh,” “Dance with the Devil,” “Washington Wolves,” “Second Skin” and John Malkovich’s “Dancer Upstairs.”
Bardem was honored with the Montecito Award at this year’s Santa Barbara Film Festival and has also received a total of seven nominations and four wins for the Goya Award, which is the Spanish equivalent of an Oscar.
ABOUT THE SPIRIT AWARDS
This year’s ceremony is sponsored by Premier Sponsors IFC, Netflix, ELLE, AMC, and Piaget, as well as Principal Sponsors Acura, Pop Secret, Biolage Professional Hair Care and Heineken. The official spirits of the Spirit Awards will be provided by Stolichnaya Vodka and Mumm Champagne. Casa Del Mar, Oceana Santa Monica, Sheraton Delfina and Shutters on the Beach are the Official Host Hotels. Wire Image is the Official Photographer of Film Independent. American Airlines is the Official Airline Partner of Film Independent. ON 3 Productions is the Official Presenter Gift Lounge producer.
Film Independent’s Spirit Awards is a celebration honoring films made by filmmakers who embody independence and who dare to challenge the status quo. Televised in millions of homes and covered internationally by the press, the Spirit Awards has become the vanguard event in independent film, recognizing the achievements of independent filmmakers and promoting independent film to a wider audience.
Selected from more than 250 submissions, 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 Foreign Film, and Best Documentary.
Spirit Awards winners are chosen by Film Independent members with voting privileges extended to IFP members. Voters attend nominee screenings and view nominated films online through a partnership with B-Side before selecting Spirit Awards winners. Additionally, voters who are Netflix subscribers can still access already released nominated films on DVD.
For more information, go to SpiritAwards.com.
ABOUT FILM INDEPENDENT
Film Independent is a non-profit membership 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 the audience for their projects, and works to diversify the film industry. Anyone passionate about film can become a member, whether you are a filmmaker, film industry leader, or a film lover.
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 also offers free Filmmaker Labs for selected writers, directors, and producers; provides cut-rate services for filmmakers; and presents year-round networking opportunities. Film Independent’s mentorship and job placement program, Project:Involve, pairs emerging culturally-diverse filmmakers with film industry professionals.
Film Independent produces the Los Angeles Film Festival, celebrating the best of American and international cinema, and the Spirit Awards, a celebration honoring films and filmmakers that embody independence and dare to challenge the status quo.
For more information or to become a member, visit FilmIndependent.org