Film Independent assumed its regular position on Santa Monica Beach on Saturday to present its annual Spirit Awards, the biggest party for the independent film scene. While cameras captured the live show for a stream on YouTube, The Hollywood Reporter was inside the iconic white tent on the beach to bring you all the action you might’ve missed.
Patti LuPone’s Peek-a-Boo While Presenting With Natasha Lyonne
The iconic New Yorkers made the trek to the West Coast for Saturday’s ceremony at which LuPone was nominated for her work in Agatha All Along while Lyonne was honored with the Robert Altman prize for Azazel Jacobs’ His Three Daughters. While in the tent, they made the most of their time by teaming up to present the John Cassavetes Award in what turned out to be one of the liveliest segments of the day thanks to their witty banter (and the reveal that they were renaming it the Gena Rowlands Award). While the nominees were being named on the big screen — the John Cassavetes Award was given to the best feature made under $1 million. LuPone snuck a peek at the winner before it came time to reveal it to the audience. Spoiler alert: the trophy went to Girls Will Be Girls.
Jesse Eisenberg: Emma Stone is “Greatest in Every Genre”
Telecast cameras definitely caught A Real Pain filmmaker Jesse Eisenberg gushing about his “fairy godmother” as he accepted a trophy for best screenplay, among other niceties. The love fest continued backstage when the veteran multi-hyphenate was asked if he would ever write something for the two-time Oscar winner. “Every single person in the world who opens a Final Draft folder wants to write something for Emma Stone,” he said to the press. “She’s the greatest in every genre. I tend not to think of writing from the perspective of what actor could do it, more just [what] characters interest me. I, at some point, will probably have the presumption to write something for her, and it will be a very awkward conversation where she tells me she’s busy.”
Sebastian Stan’s (Late) Arrival and (Crowded) Exit
OK, to be fair, the Oscar-nominated star of The Apprentice wasn’t technically late. He made it to Santa Monica Beach with plenty of time to pose for photographers and rush inside the massive white tent before showtime. But he was the last and final actor to hit the blue carpet and his rep apologized to eager reporters who wanted a quick word with the in-demand star. “Sorry guys, we’re late,” she said as they passed. Hours later, once the show was over, Stan’s SUV was mobbed by autograph hounds as his driver approached PCH.
Colman Domingo Slips Out Early
In case you haven’t heard, this weekend marked yet another hectic crush of awards season events. Saturday delivered the Spirit Awards, the NAACP Image Awards, the Scripter Awards and the Cinema Audio Society Awards, while Sunday is the SAG Awards. So, nobody could fault Colman Domingo for dipping out early from the Spirit Awards. The Oscar-nominated star of Sing Sing made a quiet exit during the best feature acceptance speech in order to make it across town to Pasadena for the NAACP Image Awards, where he was also nominated for his work. It’s a cross-city drive that would make most Angelenos break out in hives.
Julio Torres: No Problem(ista) With the Teleprompter
Double nominee Julio Torres had a busy Saturday at the beach. The Fantasmas and Problemista guru took the stage to present the best editing trophy and to do a comedic bit about psychic visions with longtime friend and fellow Saturday Night Live alum Aidy Bryant. It was during the former segment that Torres pretended to have an issue with the teleprompter but it was all for the sake of comedy as it was working just fine as seen below.
Boxed Lunches for One and For All
The Spirit Awards start past lunchtime, but event organizers don’t let the hundreds of guests sit there for hours without snacks. Courtesy of Untitled Events, guests receive boxed lunches at their seats that include grilled Tuscan chicken with artichokes, citrusy couscous, pineapple, cucumber and hearts of palm salad and pita chips with beet feta dip. The table spread also featured family-style desserts like vegan, gluten-free olive oil shortbread, vanilla pear crostatas, mini raspberry cheesecake tartlets and cornflake chocolate chip marshmallow cookies. Fiji Water also had a starring role at the event, keeping guests hydrated at water stations outside and inside the tent.
Sweet Surprise in Honor of Donut-Lover Josh Welsh
Beloved Film Independent president Josh Welsh loved the Spirit Awards and he loved donuts. Welsh passed away in January and Saturday’s show featured two standing ovations for the late and long-serving indie film champion (led by acting president Brenda Robinson). While those were featured during the telecast, outside the tent, guests also applauded the donut wall mounted in his honor courtesy of Peterson’s Donut Corner. It’s safe to say he would’ve loved to see it and snack on some donuts himself.
Justice Smith Jumps Up for Nava Mau
Nominated for his starring turn in I Saw the TV Glow, Justice Smith had a glowing Saturday. The veteran actor also spread some rays around in support of his fellow artists. When Nava Mau heard her name called as the winner for best supporting performance for a turn opposite Richard Gadd in his critically acclaimed Netflix series Baby Reindeer, Smith jumped on his feet to give Mau an enthusiastic standing ovation. See the full winner’s list here.
Anora Reunites With Pint-Sized Pilaf
At The Hollywood Reporter’s actress roundtable, Demi Moore and Mikey Madison bonded over their love of dogs as both actors brought their canine companions to the shoot. On Saturday, Moore arrived at Santa Monica Beach with her well-known pooch, Pilaf. The little guy got plenty of attention inside the tent, and during the telecast, cameras caught the sweet moment when Madison planted a kiss on Pilaf after winning the best lead performance trophy. But earlier, before the show even started, Madison spent some quality time with Moore and Pilaf in a scene that has since gone viral.
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