Lily Gladstone and Colman Domingo Host Spirit Award-Nominated Brunch – The Hollywood Reporter
Lily Gladstone, Colman Domingo, Brenda Robinson and Josh Welch toast Miraval’s Petite Fleur Rosé champagne during the Spirit Award Nominees brunch at the Casa del Mar in Santa Monica on January 6, 2023.
Araya Doheny/Getty Images
A group of awards season nominees headed to Santa Monica Beach on Saturday morning for the Film Independent Spirit Award nominees’ brunch at the Casa del Mar Hotel.
Moonflower Killers Star Lily Gladstone, Honorary Chair of the Spirit Awards at the organization’s show on February 25, and Rustin Star Colman Domingo teamed up to host the event and hand out awards to emerging directors including $75,000 in grants.
The “One to Watch” award presented by Stella Artois was presented Mountains Director Monica Sorel. The honor, now in its 30th year, aims to honor “a talented first-time feature filmmaker with a unique vision who has yet to receive proper recognition,” and comes with an unrestricted grant of $25,000.
The Truer Than Fiction award was given to Set Hernandez, director of “Truer Than Fiction.” invisible. The award, which is in its 29th year and “presented to a first-time non-fiction filmmaker who has not received much recognition,” includes an unrestricted grant of $25,000.
The Producer Award presented by Bulleit Frontier Whiskey went to Monique Walton. The award aims to honor “emerging producers who, despite very limited resources, demonstrate the creativity, perseverance and vision required to produce high-quality independent films.” This award, in its 27th year, includes an unrestricted grant of $25,000 funded by the Bulleit Frontier Whiskey Company, which for the past several years has maintained a high-profile standing in the Spirit Awards.
“Understanding the enormous challenges independent artists face, it is essential that they are provided with the resources necessary to move forward with their artistic vision,” said Josh Welch, President of Film Independent. “The Emerging Filmmaker Awards provide vital support to these talented artists, enabling them to continue to develop new work and thrive as solo artists.”
Spirit Awards, hosted by Saturday Night Live alum Aidy Bryant, will stream live on the IMDb and Film Independent YouTube channels, as well as across other social media platforms. The show is supported by title sponsor IMDbPro and official sponsors Bulleit Frontier Whisky, Fiji Water, Miraval and Stella Artois.
Other attendees at Saturday’s beachfront brunch included Todd Haynes, Jeffrey Wright, Erika Alexander, Cord Jefferson, Trace Lysette, Troy Kotsur, Zoe Lister-Jones, Dominique Fishback, James Marsden, Glenn and Jill Horton, Dominique Sessa, and Franz Rogowski, Devin. Joey Randolph, Pam Koffler, Celine Song and others.
