FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact: Seanna Hore, Ginsberg/Libby
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Gladys Santos, Ginsberg/Libby
gladys.santos@ginsberglibby.com
 

LOS ANGELES (October 2, 2024) – Film Independent, the nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering independence and inclusivity in visual storytelling, announced this morning that, following a highly successful and memorable debut last year, comedian Aidy Bryant will once again take the stage to host the Film Independent Spirit Awards. Honoring the best of independent cinema and television, the 2025 Spirit Awards will also mark the 40th anniversary of the awards. Celebrating four decades of excellence, these awards serve as the cornerstone fundraiser for Film Independent’s year-round initiatives.

The awards nominees will be announced on Wednesday, December 4, 2024 at 7:00 am PT at filmindependent.org. Winners will be revealed at the awards show on Saturday, February 22, 2025 and will be streamed live on the IMDb and Film Independent YouTube channels, and across other social platforms, beginning at 2:00 pm PT.

For forty years, the Film Independent Spirit Awards have stood as a beacon of excellence in the independent world. Since its inception, the awards have championed the unique voices of filmmakers who challenge the mainstream narrative and push the boundaries of storytelling. The Spirit Awards is proud to have been one of the first organizations to honor the early works of groundbreaking filmmakers such as Spike Lee, Whit Stillman, Ed Burns, Robert Eggers, Patty Jenkins, Ryan Coogler and Kasi Lemmons. Hosted by Peter Coyote, the first Spirit Award for Best Feature was awarded to Martin Scorsese’s After Hours, and he and Joel Coen went on to tie for Best Director. Years later, Coen would win Best Director for Fargo, joining Barry Jenkins, Tom McCarthy and Alexander Payne as the only directors to win the award twice. In 2020, the Spirit Awards expanded its categories to include television, recognizing the incredible storytelling and artistic achievements emerging from the small screen. In 2022, they took another significant step by becoming one of the first awards shows to adopt a gender-neutral format, reflecting a commitment to inclusivity and equality in recognizing talent.

“We couldn’t ask for a better host for our 40th anniversary! As we prepare to celebrate this incredible milestone honoring the outstanding achievements and contributions within the independent world, we welcome Aidy back with open arms. After her unforgettable turn last year, we can once again anticipate an evening filled with laughter, inspiration and recognition of excellence,” said Josh Welsh, President of Film Independent.

An acclaimed comedian and actress, Aidy Bryant was a ten-year cast member on Saturday Night Live. Since her debut as a featured player in 2012, she earned three Primetime Emmy Awards nominations including two nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. She is also the co-creator, executive producer and star of Hulu’s Shrill. Her performance in its third and final season earned an Emmy nomination in 2021 for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series. Coming up for Bryant, it was recently announced that she will be joining the cast of Apple TV+’s Platonic opposite Rose Byrne and Seth Rogen for the show’s second season. It was also recently announced that she has joined the all-star stage ensemble for All In: Comedy About Love By Simon Rich from director Alex Timbers and producer Lorne Michaels, which opens December 2024. Bryant has also signed an overall deal with Universal Television, where she is currently in development on multiple projects. She also lent her voice to Netflix’s animated series Human Resources and has appeared in projects such as I Feel Pretty, The Big Sick, Broad City and Girls.

Past Spirit Awards hosts include Hasan Minhaj, Megan Mullally and Nick Offerman, Melissa Villaseñor, Aubrey Plaza, Nick Kroll and John Mulaney, Kate McKinnon and Kumail Nanjiani, Fred Armisen and Kristen Bell, Patton Oswalt, Andy Samberg, Rainn Wilson, Joel McHale, Sarah Silverman, Samuel L. Jackson, Queen Latifah and John Waters, just to name a few.

The Spirit Awards is the nonprofit arts organization’s primary fundraiser for its year-round slate of programs that cultivate the careers of emerging filmmakers and promote diversity and inclusion across the film industry. The upcoming show will mark Film Independent’s third collaboration with Emmy Award-winning executive producer and showrunner Eddie Delbridge of Live Digital Entertainment, an industry leader who has produced events such as Space Launch Live: America Returns to Space, The Tournament of Roses Parade, The Critics’ Choice Awards, The MET Gala Live! and The Macy’s Parade 360 Live. Shawn Davis is returning for his 22nd year with the Spirit Awards, as executive producer. Also returning are producers Danielle Federico and Andrew Schaff.

Film Independent Spirit Awards are supported by Principal Sponsor IMDbPro and Official Sponsors Bulleit Frontier Whiskey, Petite Fleur Rosé Champagne and FIJI Water. Easterseals Disability Services is the accessibility partner. Hotel Casa del Mar and The Georgian are the Official Hotels. Getty Images is the Official Photographer. Vision Digital is the exclusive screening partner.

To learn more about attending the Spirit Awards and supporting Film Independent’s mission and programs, please contact Jennifer Murby at jmurby@filmindependent.org.

To learn about sponsorship opportunities, please contact Kate Walker D’Angelo at kwalker@filmindependent.org.

To learn more about the Spirit Awards eligibility rules and regulations, please visit filmindependent.org/spirit-awards/faq.

The winners of the Film Independent Spirit Awards are voted on by Film Independent Members. Membership is open to the public. For more information or to become a member, visit filmindependent.org.

Press and publicist credential applications for the 2025 Film Independent Spirit Awards will open on December 5 at filmindependent.org/press. For any questions regarding credentials, please contact Jason Berger at publicity@filmindependent.org.
 

ABOUT FILM INDEPENDENT

For 40 years, Film Independent has helped filmmakers get their projects made and seen. The nonprofit organization’s core mission is to champion creative independence in visual storytelling in all its forms, and to foster a culture of inclusion. We support a global community of artists and audiences who embody diversity, innovation, curiosity and uniqueness of vision.

In addition to producing the Film Independent Spirit Awards, the organization supports creative professionals with Artist Development programs, grants and labs. Signature mentorship program Project Involve fosters the careers of talented filmmakers from underrepresented communities. Education events and workshops equip filmmakers of all ages and experience levels with tools and resources. Global Media Makers, a cultural exchange program produced in partnership with the U.S. Department of State, provides career-building opportunities for international film professionals. And year-round screening series Film Independent Presents offers a robust program of unique cinematic experiences, including screenings, conversations, Live Reads and Bring the Noise musical events.

For more information or to become a Member, visit filmindependent.org.