Ceremony to be augmented with experiential brand activations on site,
offering a variety of experiences and firsts
LOS ANGELES (March 3, 2022) – The Film Independent Spirit Awards will return to the Santa Monica beach for full fanfare this Sunday, March 6 and will be broadcast live in the United States on IFC at 5:00 pm ET, and on Hollywood Suite in Canada. Hosted by the dynamic duo Megan Mullally and Nick Offerman, the Spirit Awards are Film Independent’s largest annual celebration and fundraiser, making year-round programming for filmmakers and film loving audiences possible. Spirit Awards partners join the organization in amplifying the voices of independent storytellers, celebrating their diversity, originality and uniqueness of vision. They foster the creative process and value fine craftsmanship across disciplines.
Kristen Stewart will serve as the Honorary Chair and will be joined by Dianna Agron, Javier Bardem, Murray Bartlett, Jennifer Beals, Rosario Dawson, Daveed Diggs, Colman Domingo, Jay Duplass, Mark Duplass, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Hannah Einbinder, Bridget Everett, Andrew Garfield, Regina Hall, Lily James, Marlee Matlin, Bob Odenkirk, Sam Richardson, Rhea Seehorn, Sebastian Stan, Sydney Sweeney, Taika Waititi, Michelle Yeoh and Chloé Zhao as Presenters at this year’s show.
After walking the blue carpet, Spirit Awards nominees will enjoy the Santa Monica sun for an outdoor reception. Notable installations will include:
Returning as the Official Spirit, Bulleit Frontier Whiskey will raise a glass to pioneers pushing the boundaries of film, enjoying premium Bulleit cocktails by some of Southern California’s top mixologists including Bulleit Ambassador Kyle McHugh. The Spirit Awards will be the cultural debut of Bulleit’s newest arrival, the ready-to-serve Bulleit Crafted Cocktails – Manhattan and Old-Fashioned.
Seedlip joins Film Independent Spirit Awards this year as the inaugural, Official Non-Alcoholic Spirit, bringing an elaborate garnish wall installation to the ceremony. Co-crafted by Ron Finley, The Gangsta Gardner and founder of The Ron Finley Project, and Tyler Straight, the interactive piece will showcase nature’s beauty while reminding us of the importance for everyone to have equal access to nature, especially in urban spaces. Seedlip Ambassador René Hartel will be on-site to serve up Spirit Awards nominees and presenters her favorite Seedlip pours.
Celebrating the 10th year as the Official Water, FIJI Water, the top premium imported bottled water in the United States, looks forward to bringing its iconic square bottles to the blue carpet and keeping all nominees, presenters and guests hydrated as they arrive to the 2022 Film Independent Spirit Awards.
Returning again this year, Official Beer Stella Artois will be on site and, for its inaugural year, to commemorate the evening, Piper-Heidsieck Champagne will be served to all guests and nominees. Upon entering the Spirit Awards tent for the main event, seated guests will enjoy the variety of partner beverages as well as bespoke bento-style creations locally sourced by Untitled Events.
IMDb will present the exclusive backstage talent portrait studio with visionary photographer Irvin Rivera. IMDb helps entertainment fans discover talent, stories and storytellers and is committed to working with organizations that support and advocate for greater diversity, equity and inclusion in the entertainment industry. To view photographs of the winners, nominees, presenters and special guests who stop by the IMDb Portrait Studio, visit IMDb.com and follow instagram.com/imdb, twitter.com/imdb and facebook.com/imdb.
SeeHer, the leading global movement to eliminate gender bias in media and advertising, joins the ceremony for a second year in a row to honor women in the industry and highlight the importance of accurately portraying women and girls in entertainment. SeeHer will be recognized during a live, in-show moment to highlight their International Women’s Day #SeeHer on Screen campaign, which asks females to share the first woman who inspired them on screen.
Immediately following the live show, Nominees and Presenters will attend the official Spirit Awards After Party, hosted by Film Independent, IFC Films and AMC+ at The Victorian in Santa Monica. The After Party will further extend the celebration of the best independent film of the year and guests will enjoy an open bar with specialty cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres in the newly renovated space and ample outdoor patios.
For the first time, the awards show will also be available nationwide theatrically at select AMC Theatres. Tickets are available at AMC Theatres locations in Atlanta, GA, Austin, TX, Boston, MA, Charlotte, NC, Chicago, IL, Cincinnati, OH, Columbus, OH, Dallas, TX, Denver, CO, Detroit, MI, Houston, TX, Indianapolis, IN, Jacksonville, FL, Kansas City, MO, Las Vegas, NV, Los Angeles, CA, Miami, FL, Minneapolis, MN, Nashville, TN, New Orleans, LA, Norfolk, VA, Orlando, FL, Philadelphia, PA, Phoenix, AZ, Pittsburgh, PA, Raleigh, NC, San Diego, CA, San Francisco, CA, Tallahassee, FL, Tampa, FL, Tucson, AZ, Tulsa, AL and Washington, D.C. Learn more and get your tickets at amctheatres.com/movies/the-film-independent-spirit-awards-live-at-amc-68791
To learn more about supporting Film Independent, please contact Kate Walker D’Angelo at kwalker@filmindependent.org.
The Film Independent Spirit Awards are supported by Premier Sponsor IFC; the Official Spirit, Bulleit Frontier Whiskey; the Official Non-Alcoholic Spirit, Seedlip; Official Water, FIJI Water and Official Beer, Stella Artois. Getty Images is the Official Photographer.
Click here to see the full list of this year’s nominees.
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.
ABOUT FILM INDEPENDENT
For over 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 and support a community of artists who embody diversity, innovation 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. Weekly 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 delivers monthly, unique cinematic experiences to Members in Los Angeles and beyond.
ABOUT THE PARTNERS & SPONSORS OF THE 2022 FILM INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS
ABOUT AMC+
AMC+ is the company’s new premium streaming bundle featuring an extensive lineup of popular and critically acclaimed original programming from AMC, BBC America, IFC, and SundanceTV and full access to targeted streaming services Shudder, Sundance Now and IFC Films Unlimited, which feature content such as A Discovery of Witches, Creepshow and Boyhood. The service features a continually refreshed library of commercial-free content, including fan favorites Mad Men, Halt & Catch Fire, Turn: Washington’s Spies, Hell on Wheels, NOS4A2, Rectify, Orphan Black, Portlandia and series from The Walking Dead Universe, among many others. The service also offers a growing slate of original and exclusive series including Gangs of London, Kin, The North Water, Ragdoll, The Beast Must Die, Too Close, The Salisbury Poisonings, Cold Courage, Spy City, Ultra City Smiths, Anna, Anne Boleyn, Firebite and La Fortuna. AMC+ recently launched in Canada and Australia, and is available in the U.S. through AMCPlus.com, the AMC+ app, and a number of digital and cable partners.
ABOUT AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc.
AMC is the largest movie exhibition company in the United States, the largest in Europe and the largest throughout the world with approximately 950 theatres and 10,500 screens across the globe. AMC has propelled innovation in the exhibition industry by: deploying its Signature power-recliner seats; delivering enhanced food and beverage choices; generating greater guest engagement through its loyalty and subscription programs, web site and mobile apps; offering premium large format experiences and playing a wide variety of content including the latest Hollywood releases and independent programming.
ABOUT Bulleit Frontier Whiskey
Bulleit, founded in 1987, is one of the fastest-growing whiskeys in America. The brand attributes that growth to bartenders and cultural partners who have adopted it as their own. The Bulleit Frontier Whiskey portfolio is distilled and aged in the Bulleit family tradition, using a distinctive high rye recipe, which gives them a bold, spicy, yet distinctively smooth taste. The award-winning Kentucky whiskey most recently won a Double Gold medal for Bulleit 10 Year Old and Gold Medals for Bulleit Bourbon and Bulleit Rye at the 2021 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. In 2017, Bulleit celebrated its 30th anniversary with the opening of a new, state-of-the-art distillery located in Shelbyville, KY. Constructed with a focus on sustainable practices including natural habitat protection, water conservation and local ingredient sourcing, BDC received the Highly Commended award for Sustainable Distillery of the Year at the 2020 Icons of Whisky Awards from Whisky Magazine. In 2019, a Visitor’s Centre at the Bulleit Distilling Co. in Shelbyville opened to share our modern, technological and sustainable approach to making great whiskey. In 2021, Diageo opened its first carbon neutral whiskey distillery in Lebanon, KY with Bulleit being the first and leading brand being produced at the site, supplementing existing production at the Bulleit Distilling Co. For more information, visit www.bulleit.com or follow @Bulleit on Instagram.
ABOUT FIJI Water
FIJI Water, natural artesian water bottled at the source in Viti Levu (Fiji islands), is the No. 1 imported premium bottled water in the United States. FIJI Water, known for its iconic square bottle, soft mouth feel and unique mineral profile, is the water of choice among discerning consumers and top chefs. Widely available at fine restaurants and hotels, all major retail channels and through a convenient home/business delivery service, FIJI Water has expanded globally to more than 80 countries. To discover Earth’s Finest Water, please visit www.fijiwater.com, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
ABOUT IFC
IFC is the home of offbeat, unexpected comedies. Acclaimed series Documentary Now! and Sherman’s Showcase air alongside fan-favorite movies and comedic cult TV shows. IFC is owned and operated by AMC Networks Inc., and available across multiple platforms. IFC is Always On, Slightly Off.
ABOUT IMDb
IMDb is the world’s most popular and authoritative source for information on movies, TV shows, and celebrities. Products and services to help fans decide what to watch and where to watch it include: the IMDb website for desktop and mobile devices; apps for iOS and Android; and X-Ray on Prime Video. IMDb also offers a free streaming channel, IMDb TV, and produces IMDb original video series and podcasts. For entertainment industry professionals, IMDb provides IMDbPro and Box Office Mojo. IMDb licenses information from its vast and authoritative database to third-party businesses worldwide; learn more at developer.imdb.com. IMDb is an Amazon company. For more information, visit imdb.com/press and follow @IMDb.
ABOUT Piper-Heidsieck
Created in 1785 by Florens-Louis Heidsieck who aimed to create a wine worthy of a Queen, Piper-Heidsieck is one of France’s oldest and most awarded Champagne houses. With a grand history, Piper-Heidsieck has been synonymous with excellence, boldness, and grandeur for over 230 years. Awarded “Best Champagne House of the World 2021” by BWW (Best Wine of the World), chief winemaker Emilien Boutillat also recently won the 2021 International Wine Challenge’s Sparkling Winemaker of the Year Award. Piper-Heidsieck is represented nationally in the United States by Folio Fine Wine Partners.
ABOUT Seedlip
Seedlip Non-Alcoholic Spirits is the pioneer and world’s number one non-alcoholic spirit brand* (IWSR, 2021), enjoyed by people in over 18 countries around the world. Founded in 2015 by Ben Branson, farmer and graphic designer turned master distiller, Seedlip empowers consumers to connect to their roots and the world around them authentically through its non-alcoholic, calorie-, sugar- and carb-free products, and sophisticated cocktail options. Seedlip makes implementing a balanced lifestyle possible by offering three nature-forward expressions made from six carefully selected botanicals: Grove 42, a bright citrus blend; Spice 94, a warm, aromatic variant; and Garden 108, a fresh, herbal spirit. Seedlip’s sophisticated blends won multiple medals at The Spirits Business Masters 2022, and the brand continued to be the undisputed leader in the on-trade Drinks International 2022 drinks report.
Honoring its commitment to the land it sources from, Seedlip is also a member of 1% for the Planet and donates 1% of global revenue to WeGotNext – an organization amplifying individual stories of adventure and activism from communities that have been underrepresented in outdoor and environmental spaces. Seedlip also collaborates with champions in the nature space, such as Ron Finley – The Gangsta Gardner, founder of The Ron Finley Project and longtime Seedlip friend –to showcase and celebrate the infinite definitions of nature, especially in the urban space. Today, Seedlip continues to innovate in the evolving non-alcoholic industry and nature – finding new ways consumers can enjoy Seedlip and connect to their roots with every sip. Available in local retail stores and for delivery through e-retail, each Seedlip bottle has an SRP of $31.99. For more information, visit www.seedlipdrinks.com and @seedlip_na on Instagram.
ABOUT SeeHer
SeeHer is the leading global movement of media, marketing and entertainment leaders and influencers committed to the accurate depiction of women and girls in advertising and media. While strides have been made in recent years to authentically portray women and girls, unconscious bias persists throughout advertising and entertainment. The average age, race and body type, among other characteristics, of women shown in media still represent only a small fraction of the female population. The SeeHer movement was launched by the Association of National Advertisers (ANA) in partnership with The Female Quotient (The FQ) in 2016 at the United State of Women. To help marketers benchmark success, SeeHer spearheaded the development of the Gender Equality Measure® (GEM®), the first research methodology that quantifies gender bias in ads and programming. GEM® shows that content accurately portraying females dramatically increases both purchase intent and brand reputation. Once complete, the GEM® methodology quickly became the industry standard, winning the prestigious ESOMAR Research Effectiveness Award in 2017 and leading to its global rollout in 2018. Since 2019, the movement has expanded its verticals to include sports (SeeHer In Sports) and music (SeeHer Hear Her). To learn more, visit SeeHer.com and follow SeeHer on social media @SeeHer (Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn) and @SeeHerOfficial (TikTok and Twitter).
ABOUT Stella Artois
Stella Artois® is part of a brewing tradition dating back to 1366. It is the winner of the 2019 World Beer Award for World’s Best International Lager and is present in 95 countries. Stella Artois is a bottom-filtered, blonde pilsner. It is thirst-quenching with a malty middle and crisp finish delivering a full flavor and a hint of bitterness. Stella Artois is best served between 37.4- and 41-degree Fahrenheit and should be served in the unique Stella Artois Chalice according to the 9-Step Pouring Ritual to guarantee a perfect experience of this standard gold lager. Visit www.stellaartois.com for more information.
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