25th Film Independent Spirit Award Nominations Announced

25th Film Independent Spirit Award Nominations Announced

- Filmmaker Grant Nominees Also Unveiled -

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Film Independent, the non-profit arts organization that produces the Spirit Awards and the Los Angeles Film Festival, announced nominations this morning for the 25th Film Independent Spirit Awards. Nominees for Best Feature include (500) Days Of Summer, Amreeka, Precious, Sin Nombre and The Last Station. Taraji P. Henson and Matt Dillon also announced finalists for the Acura Someone to Watch Award, the Truer Than Fiction Award, and the Piaget Producers Award.

A Serious Man was selected for the Robert Altman Award, which is given to one film's director, casting director and ensemble cast.

"It's astonishing to look back upon the wealth of fresh and diverse filmmaking talent that has been nominated over the past 25 years," said Film Independent's Executive Director Dawn Hudson. "This year's nominees continue to uphold that independent spirit, and have created exceptional work that we are proud to spotlight and celebrate."

"It is exciting to be able to recognize this diverse group of filmmakers, who despite the challenging times, continue to create meaningful and original work," said Stephanie Allain, Chair of the American Narrative Feature Nominating Committee.

Selected from 240 submissions, this year's winners will be unveiled at a late-night celebration on Friday, March 5, 2010, at LA Live's panoramic event deck in downtown Los Angeles. The 25th Film Independent Spirit Awards ceremony will air live and uncut on Friday, March 5, 2010 at 8:00 p.m. PST/11:00 p.m. EST on IFC (Independent Film Channel). Premier Sponsors IFC, ELLE, Piaget, Jameson Irish Whiskey, Acura, Stella Artois and Principal Sponsor Netflix sponsor this year's event. American Airlines is the Official Airline Partner and On3 Productions is the Official Presenter Gift Lounge Producer. Wire Image is the Official Photographer and PR Newswire is the Official Breaking News Service of Film Independent.

On Wednesday, March 3, a selection of Spirit Award nominees will discuss their films and their craft at Film Independent's Directors Close-Up, a 5-week series that features conversations with directors and their collaborators.

The Spirit Awards Nominating Committee applies uniqueness of vision, original & provocative subject matter, economy of means (with particular attention paid to total production cost & individual compensation), and percentage of financing from independent sources as guidelines when making its selections. The Committee was composed of the following sub-committees:

The 14-person American Narrative Nominating Committee included Chair, producer Stephanie Allain; producers, Nina Jacobson, Gail Mutrux, Heather Rae; writer/director Mora Stephens; writer/director/producer Larry Karaszewski; director John Singleton; actors Melonie Diaz, S. Epatha Merkerson, Andre Royo; casting director Jeanne McCarthy; film critic Elvis Mitchell playwright; Bernard Weinraub; and Los Angeles Film Festival Artistic Director David Ansen.

The 8-person Documentary Feature Nominating Committee included Co-Chairs, film marketing veteran Laura Kim and Toronto International Film Festival documentary programmer Thom Powers; filmmakers Scott Kennedy, Marina Zenovich, Patrick Creadon, Stefan Forbes; cinematographer Ellen Kuras; and producer Chiemi Karasawa.

The 8-person Foreign Feature Nominating Committee included Chair, writer/director/producer Mary Sweeney; writer/directors Goran Dukic, Neil LaBute, Kasi Lemmons; past Director of the UCLA Film & Television Archive, Tim Kittleson; Sidney Kimmel Entertainment President of Creative Affairs, Bingham Ray; San Francisco Film Society Director of Programming, Rachel Rosen; and Los Angeles Times Film Critic Kenneth Turan.

The 5-person Acura Someone to Watch Nominating Committee included Chair, filmmaker and Austin Film Society's Director of Artist Series, Bryan Poyser; filmmakers Rodney Evans, Barry Jenkins; Denver Post Film Critic Lisa Kennedy; and festival programmer Mike Plante.

The 5-person Truer Than Fiction Nominating Committee included Chair, filmmaker AJ Schnack; filmmakers Thomas Allen Harris, Darius Marder, Laura Poitras; and Sundance Institute's Director of Documentary Film Program, Cara Mertes.

The 5-person Piaget Producer's Award Nominating Committee included Chair, producer Effie T. Brown; producers Amy Hobby, Paul Mezey; Film Finances Inc. Vice President, Paula Schmit; and New York University film professor Karl Bardosh.

For more information on submission guidelines, voting, media and publicist credentials, and the history of the Spirit Awards, please visit SpiritAwards.com.

ABOUT FILM INDEPENDENT

Film Independent is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit arts organization that champions 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, are 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 leader, or a film lover.

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 offers free Filmmaker Labs for selected writers, directors, and producers; provides cut-rate services for filmmakers; and presents year-round networking opportunities. Film Independent's mentorship and job placement program, Project:Involve, pairs emerging culturally diverse filmmakers with film industry professionals.

Film Independent produces the Los Angeles Film Festival, celebrating the best of American and international cinema and the Spirit Awards, a celebration honoring films and filmmakers that embody independence and originality.

For more information or to become a member, visit FilmIndependent.org.

2010 SPIRIT AWARD NOMINATIONS

BEST FEATURE (Award given to the Producer, Executive Producers are not listed)

(500) Days Of Summer Producers: Mason Novick, Jessica

Tuchinsky, Mark Waters, Steven J. Wolfe -------------------- --------------------------------------- Amreeka Producers: Paul Barkin, Christina

Piovesan ------- --------------------------------- Precious Producers: Lee Daniels, Gary Magness,

Sarah Siegel-Magness -------- ------------------------------------- Sin Nombre Producer: Amy Kaufman ---------- --------------------- The Last Station Producers: Bonnie Arnold, Chris Curling,

Jens Meuer ---------------- ----------------------------------------

BEST DIRECTOR

Ethan Coen, Joel Coen A Serious Man --------------------- ------------- Lee Daniels Precious ----------- -------- Cary Joji Fukunaga Sin Nombre ------------------ ---------- James Gray Two Lovers ---------- ---------- Michael Hoffman The Last Station --------------- ----------------

BEST SCREENPLAY

Alessandro Camon, Oren

Moverman The Messenger ---------------------- ------------- Michael Hoffman The Last Station --------------- ---------------- Lee Toland Krieger The Vicious Kind ------------------ ---------------- Greg Mottola Adventureland ------------ ------------- Scott Neustadter, Michael H.

Weber (500) Days Of Summer ---------------------------- --------------------

BEST FIRST FEATURE (Award given to the director and producer)

A Single Man Director: Tom Ford

Producers: Tom Ford, Andrew Miano, Robert

Salerno, Chris Weitz ------------ ----------------------------------------- Crazy Heart Director: Scott Cooper

Producers: T Bone Burnett, Judy Cairo,
Rob Carliner, Scott Cooper, Robert

Duvall ----------- -------------------------------------- Easier With Practice Director: Kyle Patrick Alvarez

Producer: Cookie Carosella -------------------- -------------------------- Paranormal Activity Director: Oren Peli

Producer: Jason Blum, Oren Peli ------------------- ------------------------------- The Messenger Director: Oren Moverman

Producers: Mark Gordon, Lawrence Inglee,

Zach Miller ------------- ----------------------------------------

BEST FIRST SCREENPLAY

Sophie Barthes Cold Souls -------------- ---------- Scott Cooper Crazy Heart ------------ ----------- Cherien Dabis Amreeka ------------- ------- Geoffrey Fletcher Precious ----------------- -------- Tom Ford, David Scearce A Single Man ----------------------- ------------

JOHN CASSAVETES AWARD - Given to the best feature made for under $500,000. Award given to the writer, director, and producer. Executive Producers are not listed

Big Fan Writer/Director: Robert Siegel

Producers: Elan Bogarin, Jean Kouremetis ------- ---------------------------------------- Humpday Writer/Director/Producer: Lynn Shelton ------- -------------------------------------- The New Year Parade Writer/Director: Tom Quinn

Producers: Steve Beal, Tom Quinn ------------------- -------------------------------- Treeless Mountain Writer/Director: So Yong Kim

Producers: Bradley Rust Gray, Ben Howe,

So Yong Kim, Lars Knudsen, Jay Van Hoy ----------------- --------------------------------------- Zero Bridge Writer/Director: Tariq Tapa

Producers: Josee Lajoie, Hilal Ahmed

Langoo, Tariq Tapa ----------- ------------------------------------

BEST FEMALE LEAD

Maria Bello Downloading Nancy ----------- ----------------- Nisreen Faour Amreeka ------------- ------- Helen Mirren The Last Station ------------ ---------------- Gwyneth Paltrow Two Lovers --------------- ---------- Gabourey Sidibe Precious --------------- --------

BEST MALE LEAD

Jeff Bridges Crazy Heart ------------ ----------- Colin Firth A Single Man ----------- ------------ Joseph Gordon-Levitt (500) Days Of Summer -------------------- -------------------- Souleymane Sy Savane Goodbye Solo -------------------- ------------ Adam Scott The Vicious Kind ---------- ----------------

BEST SUPPORTING FEMALE

Dina Korzun Cold Souls ----------- ---------- Mo'Nique Precious -------- -------- Samantha Morton The Messenger --------------- ------------- Natalie Press Fifty Dead Men Walking ------------- ---------------------- Mia Wasikowska That Evening Sun -------------- ----------------

BEST SUPPORTING MALE

Jemaine Clement Gentlemen Broncos --------------- ----------------- Woody Harrelson The Messenger --------------- ------------- Christian McKay Me and Orson Welles --------------- ------------------- Raymond McKinnon That Evening Sun ---------------- ---------------- Christopher Plummer The Last Station ------------------- ----------------

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

Roger Deakins A Serious Man ------------- ------------- Adriano Goldman Sin Nombre --------------- ---------- Anne Misawa Treeless Mountain ----------- ----------------- Andrij Parekh Cold Souls ------------- ---------- Peter Zeitlinger Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans ---------------- ----------------------------------------

BEST DOCUMENTARY (Award given to the director)

Anvil! The Story of Anvil Director: Sacha Gervasi ------------------------- ----------------------- Food, Inc. Director: Robert Kenner ---------- ----------------------- More Than A Game Director: Kristopher Belman ---------------- --------------------------- October Country Directors: Donal Mosher, Michael

Palmieri --------------- -------------------------------- Which Way Home Director: Rebecca Cammisa -------------- -------------------------

BEST FOREIGN FILM (Award given to the director)

A Prophet Director: Jacques Audiard (France) -------- ------------------------- An Education Director: Lone Scherfig (UK/France) ----------- ----------------------- Everlasting Moments Director: Jan Troell (Sweden) -------- -------------------- Mother Director: Bong Joon-Ho (South Korea) ------------- ---------------------- The Maid Director: Sebastian Silva (Chile) ------- -------------------------

ACURA SOMEONE TO WATCH AWARD - The 16th annual Acura Someone to Watch Award recognizes a talented filmmaker of singular vision who has not yet received appropriate recognition. The award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant funded by Acura.

Kyle Patrick Alvarez Easier With Practice -------------------- -------------------- Asiel Norton Redland ------------ ------- Tariq Tapa Zero Bridge ---------- -----------

TRUER THAN FICTION AWARD - The 15th annual Truer Than Fiction Award is presented to an emerging director of non-fiction features who has not yet received significant recognition. The award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant.

Natalia Almada El General -------------- ---------- Jessica Oreck Beetle Queen Conquers Tokyo ------------- --------------------------- Bill Ross, Turner Ross 45365 ---------------------- -----

PIAGET PRODUCERS AWARD - The 13th annual Piaget Producers Award honors emerging producers who, despite highly limited resources demonstrate the creativity, tenacity, and vision required to produce quality, independent films. The award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant funded by Piaget.

Karin Chien The Exploding Girl, Santa Mesa ----------- ------------------------------ Larry Fessenden I Sell the Dead, The House of the Devil --------------- --------------------------------------- Dia Sokol Beeswax, Nights & Weekends --------- --------------------------

ROBERT ALTMAN AWARD - (Given to one film's director, casting director, and its ensemble cast)

A Serious Man Directors: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen ------------- --------------------------------

Casting Directors: Ellen Chenoweth,
Rachel Tenner
-----------------------------------
Ensemble Cast: Richard Kind, Sari
Lennick, Jessica McManus, Fred Melamed,
Michael Stuhlbarg, Aaron Wolff
---------------------------------------

BY DISTRIBUTOR

DISTRIBUTOR FILM TITLE(S) # OF NOMINATIONS
----------- ------------- ----------------
(500) Days Of Summer,
Crazy Heart, Gentlemen
Fox Searchlight Broncos 7
--------------- ---------------------- ---
An Education, The Last
Sony Pictures Classics Station, A Prophet 7
---------------------- ---------------------- ---
A Serious Man, Sin
Focus Features Nombre 6
-------------- ------------------ ---
More Than A Game,
Lionsgate Precious 6
--------- ----------------- ---
The Messenger, Treeless
Oscilloscope Laboratories Mountain 6
------------------------- ----------------------- ---
Food, Inc., Humpday,
Magnolia Pictures Mother, Two Lovers 5
----------------- -------------------- ---
Me and Orson Welles,
Freestyle Releasing That Evening Sun 3
------------------- -------------------- ---
National Geographic
Entertainment Amreeka 3
------------------- ------- ---
Samuel Goldwyn Films Cold Souls 3
-------------------- ---------- ---
The Weinstein Company A Single Man 3
--------------------- ------------ ---
72nd Street Productions The Vicious Kind 2
----------------------- ---------------- ---
Anvil! The Story of
Abramaorama Films Anvil 1
----------------- ------------------- ---
Carnivaleque Films The New Year Parade 1
------------------ ------------------- ---
Elephant Eye Films The Maid 1
------------------ -------- ---

First Independent Pictures Big Fan 1

-------------------------- ------- ---

Bad Lieutenant: Port of
First Look Pictures Call New Orleans 1
------------------- ----------------------- ---
IFC Films Everlasting Moments 1
--------- ------------------- ---
HBO Documentary Films Which Way Home 1
--------------------- -------------- ---
Miramax Adventureland 1
------- ------------- ---
Paramount Pictures Paranormal Activity 1
------------------ ------------------- ---
Phase 4 Films Fifty Dead Men Walking 1
------------- ---------------------- ---
Roadside Attractions Goodbye Solo 1
-------------------- ------------ ---
Strand Releasing Downloading Nancy 1
---------------- ----------------- ---
No Distributor October Country 1
-------------- --------------- ---
No Distributor Easier With Practice 1
-------------- -------------------- ---
No Distributor Zero Bridge 1
-------------- ----------- ---

35 FILMS NOMINATED
TOTALS PER FILM

FILM TITLE # OF NOMINATIONS ---------- ---------------- The Last Station 5 ---------------- --- Precious 5 -------- --- The Messenger 4 ------------- --- (500) Days Of Summer 3 -------------------- --- Amreeka 3 ------- --- Cold Souls 3 ---------- --- Crazy Heart 3 ----------- --- A Serious Man 3 ------------- --- A Single Man 3 ------------ --- Sin Nombre 3 ---------- --- That Evening Sun 2 ---------------- --- Treeless Mountain 2 ----------------- --- Two Lovers 2 ---------- --- The Vicious Kind 2 ---------------- --- Fifty Dead Men Walking 1 ---------------------- --- Adventureland 1 ------------- --- An Education 1 ------------ --- Anvil! The Story of Anvil 1 ------------------------- --- Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans 1 ---------------------------------------- --- Big Fan 1 ------- --- Downloading Nancy 1 ----------------- --- Easier With Practice 1 -------------------- --- Everlasting Moments 1 ------------------- --- Food, Inc. 1 ---------- --- Gentlemen Broncos 1 ----------------- --- Goodbye Solo 1 ------------ --- Humpday 1 ------- --- The Maid 1 -------- --- Me and Orson Welles 1 ------------------- --- More Than A Game 1 ---------------- --- Mother 1 ------ --- The New Year Parade 1 ------------------- --- October Country 1 --------------- --- Paranormal Activity 1 ------------------- --- A Prophet 1 --------- --- Which Way Home 1 -------------- --- Zero Bridge 1 ----------- ---

Source: Film Independent

CONTACT: Elise Freimuth of Film Independent,+1-310-432-1287,
EFreimuth@FilmIndependent.org

Web Site: http://www.filmindependent.org/

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