Film Independent announced today that the call for entries for the 2019 Film Independent Spirit Awards is now open. The Regular Deadline is Tuesday, September 18, 2018, the Final Deadline is Tuesday, October 9, 2018 and the extended Film Independent Member Deadline is Friday, October 12, 2018. The nominations will be announced on Friday, November 16, 2018 in a press conference in Los Angeles. The 2019 Awards will be held on Saturday, February 23, 2019 and will premiere exclusively on IFC. In addition, the date for the 2020 Awards has been set for Saturday, February 8, 2020.

American Airlines and IFC are returning as Premier Sponsors. In both 2019 and 2020, the Bonnie Award will once again be presented, funded by American Airlines. The Bonnie Award recognizes a talented, mid-career female director with a $50,000 unrestricted cash grant.

Film Independent Members comprise the exclusive voting body who determines the winners of the Film Independent Spirit Awards. Members are filmmakers, film industry leaders and film lovers. Anyone passionate about film can join at filmindependent.org/join by December 6, 2018 to be eligible to vote for the winners of the 2019 Film Independent Spirit Awards and receive full nominee screening privileges.

Please visit www.spiritawards.com for submission guidelines and forms.

The Spirit Awards is the primary fundraiser for Film Independent’s year-round programs, which cultivate the careers of emerging filmmakers and promote inclusion in the industry. For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Albina Oks, Director of Corporate Sponsorship, at 323 556 9352 or aoks@filmindependent.org. To learn more about attending, please contact Jennifer Murby at 323 556 9353 or jmurby@filmindependent.org.

About THE FILM INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS
Now in its 34th year, the Film Independent Spirit Awards is an annual celebration honoring artist-driven films made with an economy of means by filmmakers whose films embody independence and originality. The Spirit Awards recognizes the achievements of American independent filmmakers and promotes the finest independent films of the year to a wider audience.

The Film Independent Spirit Awards are sponsored by Premier Sponsors

American Airlines and IFC. Getty Images is the Official Photographer.

About IFC
IFC is the home of offbeat, unexpected comedies. Series Brockmire, Stan Against Evil, Baroness von Sketch Show and Documentary Now! air alongside fan-favorite movies and comedic cult TV shows. IFC is owned and operated by AMC Networks Inc., and available across multiple platforms. IFC is Always On, Slightly Off.