Indie Spirit Awards Call for Entries Begins Today

It’s that time of year again: As summer starts to wind down, awards season revs up. Film Independent is getting a head start today, beginning its call for entries for the Independent Spirit Awards, now in its 27th year. They’re also taking submissions for filmmaker grants.

Submission guidelines, applications, and more information can be found here.

Key Deadlines:
September 13 (early deadline)
October 11 (late deadline)
Filmmaker Grants deadline, September 13

Full Spirit Awards release follows:

WHAT: Film Independent is accepting submissions beginning TODAY, with the early deadline of Tuesday, September 13 and the final deadline of Tuesday, October 11. The deadline to submit for the Filmmaker Grants is Tuesday, September 13.

WHERE: Submission guidelines, applications, and more information can be found at SpiritAwards.com

DETAILS: Now in its 27th year, the Film Independent Spirit Awards is a celebration honoring artist-driven films made with an economy of means by filmmakers who embody independence and originality. The Spirit Awards has become the vanguard event in independent film, recognizing the achievements of American independent filmmakers and promoting the finest independent films of the year to a wider audience.

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 International Film*, Best Documentary, and the Robert Altman Award. The Filmmaker Grants include Someone to Watch Award, Truer Than Fiction Award, and Piaget Producers Award.

*Please note that the Best Foreign Film category has been renamed Best International Film. While the award name has changed, no rules regarding eligibility have been altered from previous years when this category was called Best Foreign Film.

About Film Independent:

Film Independent is a 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 dare to challenge the status quo.

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

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