LOS ANGELES (March 4, 2010) - Film Independent, the non-profit arts organization that produces the Spirit Awards and the Los Angeles Film Festival, announced today that writer, producer, director and award-winning actor Ben Stiller will serve as Honorary Chair for the 25th anniversary of the Spirit Awards on Friday, March 5, 2010 in downtown Los Angeles.  As Honorary Chair, Stiller will be presenting the Best Feature award at the ceremony.  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 filmmaker.

Past Honorary Chairs include Alec Baldwin, Javier Bardem, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Terrence Howard, 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. 

One of the world's most beloved comedic talents, Ben Stiller (Tropic Thunder, Zoolander, Meet The Parents) will soon star in Noah Baumbach's Greenberg. Stiller is also the force behind Red Hour Films (Tropic Thunder, Blades of Glory, Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story), a production company which works to discover and foster new writers and filmmakers.

"There is no one funnier or more independent in his work, so we are thrilled to have Ben Stiller as Honorary Chair," said Dawn Hudson, Executive Director of Film Independent.  "He's been a long-time champion of our mission to support independent filmmakers, and I'm happy he'll be at the show to celebrate this important anniversary with us."  

"Ben is a huge name in comedy and will bring even more laughs, and more viewers to this year's celebration," said Jennifer Caserta, EVP and General Manager of IFC.  "Along with our host Eddie Izzard and our incredible, talent-filled roster of special guests, this year's awards show is sure to be an entertaining prime-time event."

The 25th Film Independent Spirit Awards will air live and uncut this Friday, March 5, 2010 at 8:00 p.m. PST/11:00 p.m. EST on IFC (Independent Film Channel), with the milestone ceremony taking place at LA Live's event deck in downtown Los Angeles.  Acclaimed comedian Eddie Izzard will serve as Master of Ceremonies. 

Presenters and performers for this year's show include Anvil, Will Arnett, Jason Bateman, Maria Bello, Ryan Bingham, Jeff Bridges, Pierce Brosnan, T Bone Burnett, Mariah Carey, Rosario Dawson, Matt Dillon, Robert Duvall, Vera Farmiga, Colin Farrell, Jodie Foster, Andy Garcia, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Ethan Hawke, Ed Helms, Taraji P. Henson, Emile Hirsch, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Dawn Hudson, Ken Jeong, Lenny Kravitz, Carey Mulligan, Mo'Nique, Jeremy Renner, Amy Ryan, David Spade, Ben Stiller, Marisa Tomei, John Waters, The Whitest Kids U Know, Olivia Wilde, and more to be announced. 

IFC.com will deliver up-to-the-minute news and video on the event, including articles, lists, interviews with nominees, and more.  In addition, SpiritAwards.com and a dedicated Spirit Awards channel on Babelgum.com will deliver winner updates and photos throughout the course of the ceremony, followed by red carpet and thank you cam interviews the next day.  For archival clips of the Spirit Awards, please visit www.babelgum.com/spiritawards. 

MySpace and LG Electronics are the Official Hosts of the 2010 Spirit Awards Live Arrivals Show, powered by Ustream, which will be shown on the official Spirit Awards MySpace profile at www.myspace.com/spiritawards.  Nominees, presenters, performers and celebrity attendees will be interviewed live for viewers to watch the excitement as it unfolds.

Actress Taraji P. Henson will host the Blue Carpet Opening Ceremony in celebration of the show's 25th Anniversary and help kick off LG Electronics' support of Project:Involve, Film Independent's signature diversity program.  Before Henson hits the carpet, LG Electronics' new high-performance Kompressor® Vacuums will work overtime picking up last year's sand, and making the Blue Carpet sparkle at the venue for this year's Spirit Awards!  In addition, LG Electronics will make an additional donation to Project:Involve for every celebrity presenter, performer, and nominee who takes on their own "charitable chore" during the Live Arrivals Show.

Premier Sponsors IFC, ELLE, Piaget, Jameson Irish Whiskey, Acura, Stella Artois, LG Electronics and Principal Sponsors Netflix and 100% Pure New Zealand sponsor this year's event.  JW Marriot is the Official Host Hotel.  The Standard, Downtown LA is a Participating Hotel and the Official Venue for the Member Viewing Party. Wire Image is the Official Photographer, American Airlines is the Official Airline Partner, and PR Newswire is the Official Breaking News Service of Film Independent. On3 Productions is producing the Official Presenter Gift Lounge and Official Ceremony Gift Bags.  FIJI Water is the Official Water of the Spirit Awards.  On behalf of every celebrity that stops by The FAGE Total Yogurt Bar backstage in the Official Presenter Gift Lounge, FAGE Total will make a significant contribution to Film Independent's signature diversity program, Project:Involve.    

ABOUT THE FILM INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS

The Film Independent Spirit Awards is a celebration honoring films made by filmmakers who embody independence and originality.  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.

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, Best Documentary, and the Robert Altman Award.  The Filmmaker Grants include Acura Someone to Watch Award, Chaz & Roger Ebert Truer Than Fiction Award, and Piaget Producers Award. 

For more information on submission guidelines, voting, photo and video galleries, and the history of the Spirit Awards, please visit SpiritAwards.com.

ABOUT FILM INDEPENDENT

Film Independent is a 501 (c)(3) 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, are 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 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 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 originality.

For more information or to become a member, visit FilmIndependent.org.

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