There are still six weeks to go until the big party under the big tent, but the celebration is already underway. On Saturday Michael Peña and Emmy Rossum hosted the annual Film Independent Spirit Awards Nominee Brunch, where they handed out the honors to our three 2015 grant winners.

The Piaget Producers Award went to producer Chris Ohlson. This Award recognizes an emerging producer who demonstrates the creativity, tenacity, and vision required to produce quality, independent films on a tight budget. The Kiehl’s Someone to Watch Award, which honors talented, under-recognized filmmakers was awarded to Rania Attieh and Daniel Garcia, directors of H. And the LensCrafters Truer Than Fiction Award, which goes to an emerging director of non-fiction, was handed out to The Kill Team director Dan Krauss.

Each of the three grant winners received a $25,000 cash award.

Winners for the remaining categories will be revealed on Saturday, February 21 at our annual ceremony on the beach in Santa Monica, which will be broadcast live on IFC at 2:00 pm PT.

For those of you indie film fans who want to have a say in who gets to take home the trophies this year, there’s still time to join Film Independent. This Friday, January 16, is the last day you can join and be able to cast a ballot for the upcoming Awards. OMV, people. (Only Members Vote)

Pamela Miller / Website & Grants Manager