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Film Independent Spirit Awards President Talks Category Changes, Streaming Ceremony, and Oscar Impact
Film Independent president Josh Welsh discusses the ceremony's recent category changes, the shift to streaming on YouTube.
“The year I was nominated for ‘Basquiat,’ our producer Jon Kilik said, ‘Hey, do you want to meet Muhammad Ali?’” recalls Wright, up for the debut performance trophy at the 1997 ceremony, while the boxing champ was there with his doc “When We Were Kings.” “I pretty much skipped over a series of tables to say hello to him. Supporting independent artists is also a priority for the honorary chair, “Killers of the Flower Moon” star Lily Gladstone, a John Cassavetes Award nominee for co-writing “The Unknown Country,” along with this year’s host, “Saturday Night Live” vet Aidy Bryant. “Independent film now feels especially like a very strong little guy next to these juicehead pumped-up studios.” As a four-time Emmy nominee, Bryant is no stranger to kudos, but the Feb. 25 afternoon event will mark her first time hosting the Spirits — or any awards ceremony.
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