30TH FILM INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS TO BE BROADCAST LIVE
EXCLUSIVELY ON IFC,
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2015
2:00 pm PT / 5:00 pm ET
JOEL GALLEN TO EXECUTIVE PRODUCE SHOW
LOS ANGELES (October 23, 2014)— Film Independent, the nonprofit arts organization that produces the Spirit Awards, the Los Angeles Film Festival and Film Independent at LACMA, announced today that the 2015 Spirit Awards will be broadcast exclusively on IFC on February 21, 2015, LIVE at 2:00 pm PT / 5:00 pm ET. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the award show that celebrates the best of independent film. Joel Gallen of Tenth Planet Productions has been named Executive Producer of this year’s show that will take place on Saturday, February 21, 2015 held in a tent on the beach in Santa Monica. Producer Shawn Davis returns for his 13th show.
“We wanted to shake things up to mark the 30th anniversary,” said Film Independent President Josh Welsh, “and I think by broadcasting live from the beach we’ll do just that. I could not be more excited to be working with Joel Gallen on this year’s show, and thrilled to be back on IFC, our longtime home.”
“This year’s show combines the excitement and spontaneity of a live broadcast with a festive celebration of the Spirit Awards’ 30th anniversary,” said Jennifer Caserta, IFC’s President. “We’re proud to be Film Independent’s longtime partner in bringing this award show to movie lovers and honoring the talented creators that brought us another great year in film.”
Joel Gallen’s credits include the Emmy nominated specials Stand Up To Cancer (2014, 2012), the 25th Anniversary Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Concert (2009), Hope For Haiti Now: A Global Benefit for Earthquake Relief (2010) and the Emmy and Peabody Award winning America: A Tribute to Heroes (2001). He produced the MTV Movie Awards for 12 consecutive years from 1995 to 2006. He has also produced the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony since 2003 and the Comedy Central Roasts for the last 10 years including the most recent roast featuring James Franco. Gallen will executive produce and direct the upcoming Concert for Valor for HBO on November 11.
About his appointment, Executive Producer Joel Gallen had this to say, “I’m honored to be given the chance to produce the Film Independent Spirit Awards. Producing the MTV Movie Awards for more than a decade gave me the opportunity to stir up the traditional award show format and I plan to ‘mix it up’ again in my approach to the Spirit Awards. And with the show going 100% live, look for a faster-paced and energized show.”
In addition to celebrating the broad spectrum of independent filmmaking, the Spirit Awards is also the primary fundraiser for Film Independent’s year-round programs, which cultivate the careers of emerging filmmakers and promote diversity in the industry. To learn more about table sales and attendance, please contact jmurby@filmindependent.org or 310.432.1253.
ABOUT THE FILM INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS
Now in its 30th year, the Film Independent Spirit Awards is an annual celebration honoring artist-driven films made with an economy of means by filmmakers whose films embody independence and originality. The Spirit Awards recognizes the achievements of American independent filmmakers and promotes the finest independent films of the year to a wider audience. The winners of the Spirit Awards are voted upon by Film Independent and IFP Members. 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 Editing, Best International Film, Best Documentary and the Robert Altman Award. The Filmmaker Grants include the Piaget Producers Award, the Truer Than Fiction Award, and the Kiehl’s Someone to Watch Award. The Film Independent Spirit Awards are sponsored by Premier Sponsors Piaget, the Lincoln Motor Company and IFC. FIJI Water is the Official Water of the 2015 Spirit Awards. WireImage is the Official Photographer and PR Newswire is the Official Breaking News Service of Film Independent.
