Film Independent President Josh Welsh announced today that actress Angela Bassett will serve as the honorary chairperson for the 2014 Film Independent Spirit Awards. The nonprofit, that also produces the Los Angeles Film Festival and Film Independent at LACMA Film Series bestows the honorary chairperson honor to an individual who exemplifies outstanding artistic achievement and embodies Film Independent’s mission to nurture and support independent filmmaking. Past Chairs include Jeremy Renner, Salma Hayek, Halle Berry, Tom Cruise, Benecio Del Toro, Robert Duvall, Jodie Foster, Danny Glover, Harvey Keitel, Nicole Kidman, Ang Lee, Julianne Moore, Martin Scorsese and John Travolta.
In addition, Welsh announced that Emily Mortimer and Alessandro Nivola will co-host the Spirit Awards Nominee Brunch, along with Angela Bassett on January 11 at BOA restaurant in West Hollywood where they will announce Film Independent’s grant winners for 2014.
The event precedes the 29th Film Independent Spirit Awards which will take place as a daytime luncheon in a tent on the beach in Santa Monica on Saturday, March 1 with the premiere broadcast airing later that evening at 10:00 pm ET/PT on IFC.
“It’s an honor to have Angela Bassett join us as the honorary chairperson of the 2014 Film Independent Spirit Awards, and an equally great honor to have Emily Mortimer and Alessandro Nivola join us at the Spirit Awards Nominee Brunch as co-hosts,” said Film Independent President Josh Welsh. “These actors have demonstrated their commitment to supporting the independent film community and encouraging the next generation of filmmakers and it’s a pleasure to have them join us in celebrating this year’s honorees.”
Academy Award winner Angela Bassett is well known for creating memorable and inspiring characters on screen. She is currently seen as Marie Laveau in FX hit show American Horror Story: Coven. She was in the hit film Olympus Has Fallen, in which she will soon reprise her role in the upcoming sequel, London Has Fallen. She will also be seen in the upcoming Sundance film White Bird in a Blizzard for director Greg Arakki. She is currently nominated for a SAG award for her role as Coretta Scott King in the Lifetime film Betty and Coretta. She will soon start work on the suspense thriller Survivor with Milla Jovovich and Emma Thompson. Other memorable films of Angela’s include: What’s Love Go to Do With It, Malcolm X, Jumping the Broom and Waiting to Exhale.
Emily Mortimer is a past Film Independent Spirit Award winner for her performance in Lovely and Amazing. Her work spans revered films such as Lars and the Real Girl, Hugo, Shutter Island and Match Point. Mortimer currently stars in HBO’s The Newsroom.
Alessandro Nivolahas starred in many films including Lisa Cholodenko’s Laurel Canyon, which earned him a Film Independent Spirit Award nomination, Coco Before Chanel, Junebug and Mansfield Park to list but a few. This year he has received Screen Actors Guild Award and Critics Choice Award nominations as part of the best ensemble cast for his role in American Hustle.
Nivola and Mortimer recently completed the first project for their new company King Bee Productions, a six part television series titled Doll & Em, co-starring and written by Mortimer and produced by Nivola which is set to air Spring 2014 on HBO.
The production team for this year’s Spirit Awards includes executive producer Diana Zahn-Story, Director and Producer Chris Donovan; and Producers Shawn Davis and John Hamilton.
The Film Independent Spirit Awards are sponsored by Premier Sponsors Piaget, the Lincoln Motor Company and IFC and by Principal Sponsor Stella Artois. WireImage is the Official Photographer and PR Newswire is the Official Breaking News Service of Film Independent.
For more information on submission guidelines, voting, media and publicist credentials, and the history of the Spirit Awards, please visit SpiritAwards.com.
ABOUT THE FILM INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS
Now in its 29th year, the Film Independent Spirit Awards is an annual celebration honoring artist-driven films made with an economy of means by filmmakers who 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, and the Robert Altman Award, Best International Film, and Best Documentary. The Filmmaker Grants include the Piaget Producers Award, the Stella Artois Truer Than Fiction Award and the Someone to Watch Award.
ABOUT FILM INDEPENDENT
Film Independent is a nonprofit arts organization that champion’s 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, is 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 professional, or a film lover.
Film Independent produces the Spirit Awards, the annual celebration honoring artist-driven films and recognizing the finest achievements of American independent filmmakers, as well as the Los Angeles Film Festival, celebrating its 20th anniversary of showcasing the best of American and international cinema. Film Independent also produces the Film Independent at LACMA Film Series, a year-round, weekly program that offers unique cinematic experiences for the Los Angeles creative community and the general public.
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’s Artist Development program offers free Labs for selected writers, directors, producers and documentary filmmakers and presents year- round networking opportunities. Project:Involve is Film Independent’s signature program dedicated to fostering the careers of talented filmmakers from communities traditionally underrepresented in the film industry.
