Latest in Film Independent

Film Independent, the organization behind the Spirit Awards and Los Angeles Film Festival, has unveiled the six fellows chosen for its annual Directing Lab, a program designed to support emerging independent film directors in prep on their feature films. See the list below. In a big change caused by the COVID-19…

EXCLUSIVE: Film Independent has selected the 30 filmmakers that will participate in 2020 Project Involve, a nine-month program for writers, directors, producers, editors, cinematographers and entertainment executives from diverse backgrounds. Now in its 27th year, the program is an opportunity for filmmakers to meet…

Film Independent has announced the seven producers who been chosen for its 19th annual Producing Lab. The fellows will participate in a program set up to help develop their skills and further their careers by pairing them with film professionals who can advise on both the craft and business of independent…

Gravitas Ventures has landed worldwide rights to A.J. Edwards’s crime drama Age Out (formerly known as Friday's Child), which premiered at 2018 SXSW Film Festival. The pic, which will be released in limited theaters and on demand November 22, stars Tye Sheridan (Ready Player One, X-Men: Apocalypse), Imogen Poots…

Fox Searchlight has acquired Exit 12, a documentary short that picked up the Grand Jury Award at this year’s SXSW. The pic is currently available on Fox Searchlight's "Searchlight Shorts" Facebook page and YouTube channel. Directed by Mohammad Gorjestani, the doc follows U.S. Marine Roman Baca, who returns from the…

Film Independent has pulled back the curtain on its new artistic director. Former longtime AFI Fest director Jacqueline Lyanga will oversee re-envisioning and expanding the organization's year-round film, TV and new media programming. In addition to programming Film Independent Presents, the year-round screening…

Trophies were handed out at the 34th edition of the Film Independent Spirit Awards with Barry Jenkins’s adaptation of James Baldwin’s If Beale Street Could Talk walking away with the most trophies including Best Feature, Best Director for Jenkins and Best Supporting Female for Regina King. Of the three awards for Beale…

From the chilly beach in Santa Monica, the 34th edition of the Film Independent Spirit Awards took place today on the eve of the Academy Awards. Hosted by Ingrid Goes West star (which won last year for Best First Feature) and Parks and Recreation alum Aubrey Plaza, the ceremony recognizes the best in independent film…

The Los Angeles Film Festival just moved to a fall slot this year, and now Film Independent says it is ending the fest after 18 years and will replace it with “year-round events aimed at building community and broadening its support of visual storytellers.” The nonprofit arts organization also will eliminate three…

Andrew Slater’s music documentary Echo in the Canyon has been set as the opening night film of Film Independent’s 2018 LA Film Festival, which kicks off Sept. 20 and continues through Sept. 28. This will mark the world premiere of the documentary which puts the spotlight on iconic music groups The Byrds, The Beach…

Get Out took home the top prize of Best Feature tonight at the Film Independent Spirit Awards. Peele also took home the trophy for Best Director in what could possibly be one of the most banner years for people of color and women at the annual ceremony that celebrates independent film. Out of the 20 awards given out…

UPDATE with response At the 2014 Independent Spirit Awards, a woman named Laurie Woods was among the volunteers scrambling to keep the food coming and drinks flowing while stars from Nebraska, 12 Years a Slave and Dallas Buyers Club wined, dined and hoped for a trophy. But Woods now says the word “volunteer” doesn’t…