Celebrity

2019 Film Independent Spirit Award Nominations Announced

Published

7 years ago

November 16, 2018

LOS ANGELES, CA. – Film Independent announced the nominations for the 2019 Film Independent Spirit Awards. The Spirit Awards are the primary fundraiser for Film Independent’s year-round programs, which cultivate the careers of emerging filmmakers and promote diversity in the industry. Film Independent President Josh Welsh presided over the press conference held at the W Hotel in Hollywood, with actors Gemma Chan and Molly Shannon presenting the nominations. Nominees for Best Feature included Eighth Grade, First Reformed, If Beale Street Could Talk, Leave No Trace and You Were Never Really Here.

“This year’s nominees reflect the bold originality that is the heart of independent film,” said Film Independent President Josh Welsh. “At a time when huge tent-pole franchises threaten to dominate our film culture, this year’s films and filmmakers offer something completely different – something vital, uncompromising, and needed. The nominees also show that, when it comes to diversity and inclusion, independent film is leading the way for the rest of the industry.”

Suspiria was selected to receive the Robert Altman Award, which is bestowed upon one film’s director, casting director and ensemble cast. The Altman Award was created in 2008 in honor of legendary director Robert Altman who was known for creating extraordinary ensemble casts.

Winners, who are selected by Film Independent Members, will be announced at the Spirit Awards on Saturday, February 23, 2019. The awards ceremony will be held on the beach in Santa Monica, just north of the Santa Monica Pier. The show will broadcast live exclusively on IFC at 2:00 pm PT/ 5:00 pm ET.

The Spirit Awards Nominating Committees selected nominees from over 400 submissions this year and applied the following guidelines in determining the nominations: uniqueness of vision, original and provocative subject matter, economy of means (with particular attention paid to total production cost and individual compensation) and percentage of financing from independent sources. The Spirit Awards Nominating Committees are comprised of writers, directors, producers, cinematographers, editors, actors, critics, casting directors, film festival programmers and other working film professionals.

Winners of the Spirit Awards Filmmaker Grants will be announced at the Film Independent Spirit Awards Filmmaker Grant and Nominee Brunch on Saturday, January 5, 2019.

2019 FILM INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARD NOMINATIONS

BEST FEATURE (Award given to the producer. Executive Producers are not awarded.)

Eighth Grade
Producers: Eli Bush, Scott Rudin, Christopher Storer, Lila Yacoub

First Reformed
Producers: Jack Binder, Greg Clark, Gary Hamilton, Victoria Hill, David Hinojosa, Frank Murray, Deepak Sikka, Christine Vachon

If Beale Street Could Talk
Producers: Dede Gardner, Barry Jenkins, Jeremy Kleiner, Sara Murphy, Adele Romanski

Leave No Trace
Producers: Anne Harrison, Linda Reisman, Anne Rosellini

You Were Never Really Here
Producers: Rosa Attab, Pascal Caucheteux, Rebecca O’Brien, Lynne Ramsay, James Wilson

BEST FIRST FEATURE (Award given to the director and producer)

Hereditary
Director: Ari Aster
Producers: Kevin Frakes, Lars Knudsen, Buddy Patrick

Sorry to Bother You
Director: Boots Riley
Producers: Nina Yang Bongiovi, Jonathan Duffy, Charles D. King, George Rush, Forest Whitaker, Kelly Williams

The Tale
Director/Producer: Jennifer Fox
Producers: Oren Moverman, Laura Rister, Mynette Louie, Simone Pero, Lawrence Inglee, Sol Bondy, Regina K. Scully, Lynda Weinman, Reka Posta

We the Animals
Director: Jeremiah Zagar
Producers: Andrew Goldman, Christina D. King, Paul Mezey, Jeremy Yaches

Wildlife
Director/Producer: Paul Dano
Producers: Andrew Duncan, Jake Gyllenhaal, Riva Marker, Oren Moverman, Ann Ruark, Alex Saks

JOHN CASSAVETES AWARD – Given to the best feature made for under $500,000 (Award given to the writer, director and producer. Executive Producers are not awarded.)

A Bread Factory
Writer/Director/Producer: Patrick Wang
Producers: Daryl Freimark, Matt Miller

En el Séptimo Día
Writer/Director/Producer: Jim McKay
Producers: Alex Bach, Lindsey Cordero, Caroline Kaplan, Michael Stipe

Never Goin’ Back
Writer/Director: Augustine Frizzell
Producers: Liz Cardenas, Toby Halbrooks, James M. Johnston

Sócrates
Writer/Director/Producer: Alex Moratto
Writer: Thayná Mantesso
Producers: Ramin Bahrani, Jefferson Paulino, Tammy Weiss

Thunder Road
Writer/Director: Jim Cummings
Producers: Natalie Metzger, Zack Parker, Benjamin Weissner

BEST DIRECTOR

Debra Granik
Leave No Trace

Barry Jenkins
If Beale Street Could Talk

Tamara Jenkins
Private Life

Lynne Ramsay
You Were Never Really Here

Paul Schrader
First Reformed

BEST SCREENPLAY

Richard Glatzer (Writer/Story By), Rebecca Lenkiewicz & Wash Westmoreland
Colette

Nicole Holofcener and Jeff Whitty
Can You Ever Forgive Me?

Tamara Jenkins
Private Life

Boots Riley
Sorry to Bother You

Paul Schrader
First Reformed

BEST FIRST SCREENPLAY

Bo Burnham
Eighth Grade

Christina Choe
Nancy

Cory Finley
Thoroughbreds

Jennifer Fox
The Tale

Quinn Shephard (Writer/Story By), Laurie Shephard (Story By)
Blame

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

Ashley Connor
Madeline’s Madeline

Diego Garcia
Wildlife

Benjamin Loeb
Mandy

Sayombhu Mukdeeprom
Suspiria

Zak Mulligan
We the Animals

BEST EDITING

Joe Bini
You Were Never Really Here

Keiko Deguchi, Brian A. Kates, Jeremiah Zagar
We the Animals

Luke Dunkley, Nick Fenton, Chris Gill, Julian Hart
American Animals

Anne Fabini, Alex Hall, Gary Levy
The Tale

Nick Houy
Mid90s

BEST FEMALE LEAD

Glenn Close
The Wife

Toni Collette
Hereditary

Elsie Fisher
Eighth Grade

Regina Hall
Support the Girls

Helena Howard
Madeline’s Madeline

Carey Mulligan
Wildlife

BEST MALE LEAD

John Cho
Searching

Daveed Diggs
Blindspotting

Ethan Hawke
First Reformed

Christian Malheiros
Sócrates

Joaquin Phoenix
You Were Never Really Here

BEST SUPPORTING FEMALE

Kayli Carter
Private Life

Tyne Daly
A Bread Factory

Regina King
If Beale Street Could Talk

Thomasin Harcourt McKenzie
Leave No Trace

J. Smith-Cameron
Nancy

BEST SUPPORTING MALE

Raúl Castillo
We the Animals

Adam Driver
BLACKkKLANSMAN

Richard E. Grant
Can You Ever Forgive Me?

Josh Hamilton
Eighth Grade

John David Washington
Monsters and Men

ROBERT ALTMAN AWARD – Given to one film’s director, casting director and ensemble cast

Suspiria
Director: Luca Guadagnino
Casting Directors: Avy Kaufman, Stella Savino
Ensemble Cast: Malgosia Bela, Ingrid Caven, Lutz Ebersdorf, Elena Fouina, Mia Goth, Jessica Harper, Dakota Johnson, Gala Moody, Chloë Grace Moretz, Fabrizia Sacchi, Renée Soutendijk, Tilda Swinton, Sylvie Testud, Angela Winkler

BEST DOCUMENTARY (Award given to the director and producer)

Hale County This Morning, This Evening
Director/Producer: RaMell Ross
Producers: Joslyn Barnes, Su Kim

Minding the Gap
Director/Producer: Bing Liu
Producer: Diane Quon

Of Fathers and Sons
Director: Talal Derki
Producers: Hans Robert Eisenhauer, Ansgar Frerich, Eva Kemme, Tobias N. Siebert

On Her Shoulders
Director: Alexandria Bombach
Producers: Hayley Pappas, Brock Williams

Shirkers
Director/Producer: Sandi Tan
Producers: Jessica Levin, Maya Rudolph

Won’t You Be My Neighbor?
Director/Producer: Morgan Neville
Producers: Caryn Capotosto, Nicholas Ma

BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM (Award given to the director)

Burning
South Korea
Director: Lee Chang-Dong

The Favourite
United Kingdom
Director: Yorgos Lanthimos

Happy as Lazzaro
Italy
Director: Alice Rohrwacher

Roma
Mexico
Director: Alfonso Cuarón

Shoplifters
Japan
Director: Kore-eda Hirokazu

BONNIE AWARD – Bonnie Tiburzi Caputo joined American Airlines in 1973 at age 24, becoming the first female pilot to fly for a major U.S. airline. In her honor, the second Bonnie Award will recognize a mid-career female director with a $50,000 unrestricted grant, sponsored by American Airlines.

Debra Granik

Tamara Jenkins

Karyn Kusama

PRODUCERS AWARD – The 22nd annual Producers Award honors emerging producers who, despite highly limited resources, demonstrate the creativity, tenacity and vision required to produce quality, independent films. The award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant.

Jonathan Duffy and Kelly Williams

Gabrielle Nadig

Shrihari Sathe

SOMEONE TO WATCH AWARD – The 25th annual Someone to Watch Award recognizes a talented filmmaker of singular vision who has not yet received appropriate recognition. The award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant.

Alex Moratto
Director of Sócrates

Ioana Uricaru
Director of Lemonade

Jeremiah Zagar
Director of We the Animals

TRUER THAN FICTION AWARD – The 24th annual Truer Than Fiction Award is presented to an emerging director of non-fiction features who has not yet received significant recognition. The award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant.

Alexandria Bombach
Director of On Her Shoulders

Bing Liu
Director of Minding the Gap

RaMell Ross
Director of Hale County This Morning, This Evening

Celebrity

Ananda Lewis: A Legacy of Empowerment and Advocacy

Published

10 months ago

June 12, 2025

Kareen Kennedy

Source: People.com

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN NEWS) –Ananda Lewis, the charismatic MTV VJ and talk show host, passed away on June 11, 2025, at the age of 52, after a courageous battle with stage 4 breast cancer. Her sister, Lakshmi Emory, confirmed the news, sharing that Ananda passed away peacefully in her Los Angeles home.

Born on March 21, 1973, in San Diego, California, Lewis rose to prominence in the late 1990s as a VJ on MTV, hosting shows like Total Request Live and Hot Zone. Her engaging personality and insightful interviews made her a beloved figure among viewers, and she earned accolades such as an NAACP Image Award for her work on BET’s Teen Summit.

Beyond her television career, Lewis was a passionate advocate for social issues. She launched The Ananda Lewis Show in 2001, addressing topics like domestic violence and breast cancer, aiming to provide a platform for meaningful conversations. Her commitment to authenticity and social impact resonated with many, and she continued to use her platform to inspire and educate.

In 2020, Lewis publicly disclosed her diagnosis of stage 3 breast cancer and later revealed that it had progressed to stage 4. Despite medical advice recommending a double mastectomy, she chose alternative treatments, later expressing some regret about that decision. Throughout her illness, Lewis remained vocal about cancer awareness, encouraging women to prioritize their health and live authentically.

Ananda Lewis leaves behind a legacy of empowerment, advocacy, and unwavering commitment to her values. Her influence extended beyond the entertainment industry, inspiring countless individuals to embrace authenticity and advocate for positive change.

Her passing marks the loss of a significant figure in entertainment who also became a voice for health advocacy. Her legacy includes a strong commitment to authenticity and social impact, and her estimated financial worth was around $8 million.

Ananda Lewis’s impact on television and her dedication to social causes have left an indelible mark on the industry and the hearts of many.

____________________________________________

Kareen Kennedy is the Assistant Editor for Florida National News
kareen.kennedy@floridanationalnews.com

Celebrity

Val Kilmer, Iconic ‘Top Gun’ Star, Dies at 65

Published

1 year ago

April 3, 2025

Kareen Kennedy

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN NEWS) –Val Kilmer, one of Hollywood’s most memorable actors, has passed away at the age of 65. Known for his dynamic range and unmistakable voice, Kilmer captivated audiences with his standout performances in a career that spanned over four decades.

A Career Full of Iconic Roles

Kilmer’s breakout role came in the 1980s with Top Gun (1986), where he portrayed the cocky and charming fighter pilot, Iceman. The film catapulted him into stardom alongside Tom Cruise, and it remains one of the most iconic films in Hollywood history. Kilmer’s portrayal of Iceman left an indelible mark on pop culture, with his line “I am dangerous” becoming an enduring catchphrase.

Beyond Top Gun, Kilmer’s career featured a diverse range of roles, from playing the suave rock star in The Doors (1991) to the legendary Batman in Batman Forever (1995). He brought depth to each of his characters, making them memorable even in smaller roles, such as his comedic turn in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005). His performances were often praised for their intensity, wit, and ability to disappear into his roles.

A Life Beyond the Screen

Kilmer’s life was marked by both triumph and personal struggles. Despite his fame, he was known for his private nature and his journey battling throat cancer. In recent years, Kilmer’s health struggles became widely known, as he had to undergo a series of surgeries that left him with a diminished ability to speak. However, he continued to embrace his craft and the fans who loved him, most recently appearing in Top Gun: Maverick (2022), a sequel to the film that first made him a star.

The documentary Val (2021) offered fans a rare, candid look into his life, showcasing not only his successes but also his personal battles and the deep affection he had for his craft. Through this film, Kilmer shared never-before-seen footage from his personal archive, allowing fans to see the man behind the roles.

A Legacy That Will Live On

Kilmer’s death marks the end of an era for Hollywood. He leaves behind a legacy of timeless performances that will continue to resonate with generations of fans. From the depths of his dramatic portrayals to the highs of his action-packed roles, Val Kilmer’s impact on cinema is undeniable. His unforgettable presence and voice, once a hallmark of his performances, will be greatly missed by fans and colleagues alike.

Val Kilmer is survived by his children and countless fans who cherished him throughout his illustrious career. His contributions to film will continue to inspire new audiences for years to come, reminding us of the power of storytelling and the ability of one man to shape the very fabric of cinema.

__________________________________________________________

Kareen Kennedy is the Assistant Editor for Florida National News
kareen.kennedy@floridanationalnews.com

Celebrity

LPGA Pros Shutout Celebs at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions “Break The Glass” Challenge

Published

1 year ago

January 28, 2025

Mike Brodsky

Photo Credit: Mike Brodsky, Florida National News

ORLANDO, Fla. (Florida National News) – Some big names in sports, entertainment, and music can be found with golf clubs in hand at The Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club, this weekend. About 50 celebrities will compete for a $500,000 purse, while LPGA Tour players try to grab their share of $2 million in prize money.

Today, LPGA pros Megan Khang, Alexa Pano, and Bailey Tardy took on celebrities Landon Donovan, Major League Soccer legend, Michael Peña, award-winning actor, and Kira Dixon, Reporter and Miss America 2015 in the annual “Break The Glass” challenge. The LPGA pros shutout the celebs 3-0. You can watch the action here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFYsQKbyiAi/?igsh=YzZlNG9rNXhvbnRy. (And be sure to follow Florida National News on Instagram and Facebook.)

Lydia Ko returns to defend her title, after adding an Olympic gold medal and membership in the LPGA Hall of Fame to her resume since last year’s tournament. Actors Don Cheadle and Larry The Cable Guy, NBA stars Blake Griffin and Ray Allen, and Pro Football Hall of Famers Marcus Allen and Charles Woodson are just some of the celebs hitting the links Thursday, 1/30 through Sunday, 2/2. Tickets and more information are available online at http://www.HGVLPGA.com.