Providing much-needed funding to a few fortunate individuals, the 2012 Film Independent Filmmaker Grant and Spirit Awards Nominees Brunch took place at BOA Steakhouse in West Hollywood, California.
The non-profit arts organization's pre-awards show event was attended by stars including Nikki Reed, Elizabeth Olsen and Shailene Woodley, while Mark Duplass and Sarah Paulson hosted the casual gathering.
During the course of the brunch, the winners of four Spirit Awards filmmaker grants were announced - as writer/director Mark Jackson, producer Sophia Lin, director Heather Courtney and directors Benjamin Murray and Alysa Nahmias of "Unfinished Spaces" were bestowed with funding from Film Independent.
Talking about the initiative, Film Independent Co-President Josh Welsh said, “We’re so appreciative to Audi of America, Nokia, Piaget and Jameson Irish Whiskey for funding cash prizes as part of the 2012 Film Independent Spirit Awards. In addition to industry recognition the Spirit Awards provides, this kind of direct financial support makes a meaningful difference. It allows our grant winners to pay some bills as they take the next natural step in their careers, and it brings extra attention to their compelling and provocative stories."
“At Film Independent, we exist to provide a community for independent filmmakers, and the brunch is one way we bring together current and past Spirit Award nominees to, first celebrate them, but also to introduce them to one another prior to awards ceremony. The event especially shines a spotlight on the talented group of emerging film artists, selected by our blue-ribbon committees, who should be on the radar of the film industry. The grant nominees and winners are part of the next generation of filmmakers we expect to inspire film lovers for years to come,” added Co-President Sean Mc Manus.