In our excitement for the upcoming Film Independent Spirit Awards, we’ve reached out to all of the filmmakers nominated for Best First Feature and asked them all kinds of things about their experience as filmmakers and what it’s like to be up for the indie world’s greatest accolade. Here, writer-director Gillian Robespierre, whose sharp and witty romantic comedy Obvious Child also earned a nomination for female lead Jenny Slate, shares with us why she’s excited for the big day under the giant tent—and who she hopes to meet there.

What are you most looking forward to about the ceremony?
This is going to sound corny, but I’m most looking forward to meeting the other nominees in my category. As directors we are so focused on our own projects that we rarely get the chance to interact with each other. It’ll be like a giant group therapy session, but with alcohol. I think the last time I sat in a room filled with directors was in film school. I can’t wait to bump into Ana Lily Amirpour in the ladies room because I have a ton of questions about her film. Of course, awards can bring out competitive behavior that can be an unsavory feeling to carry around. But fuck it. We got this far. And I’m deeply honored to be nominated with a group of filmmakers whose work challenges and inspires us all to keep getting better at what we do. Also, will the wrestling team from Foxcatcher be there?! I know team Obvious Child would like to meet them.

Mary Sollosi / Film Independent Blogger