As indie filmmakers from across the globe converge on California for the fortieth Unbiased Spirit Awards, IndieWire — the voice of inventive independence — is getting ready for a groundbreaking day on the arrivals carpet in Santa Monica.
The celebration from Movie Unbiased will air at 5 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 22, however whereas followers anticipate festivities to start, they’ll meet IndieWire on the pink (technically blue on the Spirits) carpet for knowledgeable interviews with most of the occasion‘s high honorees. Sure, for the primary time in our practically 30-year historical past, IndieWire is internet hosting a pre-show! We’ll discuss with most of the presenters, nominees, and different artists making fearless magic at this crucial time for storytelling, whereas we blaze a path of our personal.
Powered by LiveU expertise, our present will carry IndieWire viewers unique conversations with a few of Hollywood’s most revered decision-makers and auteurs. We’ll additionally meet new breakthrough voices as they share the behind-the-scenes tales that had been important to their success — and likewise get insights into the way forward for filmmaking from creatives at each expertise degree.
“It’s going to be fairly a big day for thus many causes,” Brenda Robinson, appearing President of Movie Unbiased (the nonprofit that presents the present), advised IndieWire. She nodded to the wildfires that devastated Los Angeles simply final month. “We’re coming collectively as a neighborhood, having endured so many challenges and nonetheless we got here out on the opposite facet with a way of resilience.”
That sentiment was echoed by the ceremony’s government producer, Shawn Davis (one other longtime Movie Unbiased member), who mentioned, “We’re only a couple miles away from the place a lot devastation occurred. So we make it possible for the tone [for our show], it’s each playful, enjoyable, irreverent, but in addition acknowledging what’s been happening in our metropolis.”
Among the many visionary storytellers nominated for high awards classes are the creatives behind a few of final 12 months’s most charming unbiased motion pictures: “The Substance,” “I Noticed the TV Glow,” “Nickel Boys,” “Sing Sing,” and “Anora.” On the TV facet, the groups behind “Shōgun” and “Child Reindeer” stand an excellent likelihood at accolades — however friends appear assured an excellent time with “Saturday Evening Reside” alumna Aidy Bryant again as host.
“She’s somebody who actually is aware of find out how to hold an viewers engaged and we’re simply delighted that she’s returning for a second 12 months,” mentioned Robinson.
The occasion will even be, for a lot of insiders, an opportunity to recollect the longtime president of Movie Unbiased, Josh Welsh, who handed away on the ultimate day of 2024 after an extended battle with most cancers. “We knew that he had an infinite affect on this trade,” Robinson mentioned — including it has been heartening to witness the respect of the broader movie neighborhood. “To listen to from individuals simply from all walks of life expressing that now, the affect that he had has actually been inspiring for all of us.”
The anniversary version of those prestigious awards will even be a salute to the way in which members of the unbiased movie and tv neighborhood help one another in unsure and even tragic occasions.
“As I’m enthusiastic about simply the historical past of the group and the truth that we’ve existed for 40 years,” Robinson mentioned to IndieWire, “a big a part of that’s as a result of we now have actually positioned ourselves to be an ally to the trade and to the creatives and the thought leaders who make up this trade. And what I imply is that this group has actually at all times stood for simply offering sources and a platform to elevate up voices and to raise tales.”
He continued, “We’re additionally a small group. We don’t have all of the bells and whistles, however we now have actually have the group…very inventive and superb at their jobs.”
It’s going to be a giant evening, for viewers of the 2025 Indie Spirits — and IndieWire’s digital pre-show. LiveU video gives fast entry to the motion, with key moments showing on our web site and IndieWire’s YouTube channel inside minutes. For these already centered on what’s taking place as soon as the “actual” present begins, you’ll be able to observe together with our information and awards reporting on IndieWire.com.
The 2025 Movie Unbiased Spirit Awards start at 5 p.m. ET on Saturday, February 22.