– Ceremony to premiere exclusively on IFC, Saturday March 1st at 10:00 pm ET/PT –
LOS ANGELES (November 19, 2013) – Film Independent President Josh Welsh announced that Patton Oswalt will serve as host for the 2014 Film Independent Spirit Awards. The nonprofit, which also produces the Los Angeles Film Festival and Film Independent at LACMA film series, will hold the 29th annual awards ceremony as a daytime luncheon in a tent on the beach in Santa Monica on Saturday, March 1st with the premiere broadcast airing later that evening at 10:00 pm ET/PT exclusively on IFC. Additionally, longtime executive producer Diana Zahn-Storey is returning for her 19th Spirit Awards show.
“Patton is an incredibly talented writer, actor and comedian whose irreverent humor is the perfect fit for our show. We couldn’t be more thrilled that he will be hosting the 2014 Film Independent Spirit Awards,” said executive producer, Diana Zahn-Storey.
“Patton has been a long supporter of our organization, he has participated in several Film Independent Live Reads at LACMA and is also a card holding member of the organization. I can’t wait to see what he has in store for us at the Awards show in March,” said Josh Welsh, President of Film Independent.
Commented Jennifer Caserta, president and general manager, IFC, “Patton’s quick wit and ridiculously funny take on society and pop culture is perfect for IFC and perfect for this event. We are thrilled our viewers will be able to enjoy this year’s show with this incredible talent and distinctive voice at the helm.”
Patton continues to find success in all areas of entertainment, from his Grammy-nominated comedy specials to his many memorable guest roles on his favorite TV shows (including Parks and Recreation, for which he received a TV Critics Choice Award), in addition to the upcoming comedy The Secret Life of Walter Mitty coming out this December, with Ben Stiller, as well as his starring role on Adult Swim’s The Heart, She Holler. He is also the narrator on ABC’s breakout comedy The Goldbergs. Last year he was recognized for his work on the big screen, nominated for a Critics Choice Award for his brilliant performance in Jason Reitman’s film Young Adult, starring opposite Charlize Theron. In 2009, Patton received critical acclaim for his performance in Robert Siegel’s Big Fan; the film was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award and Patton earned a Gotham Award nomination for his performance.
As a comedian, Patton has shot four TV specials and four critically acclaimed albums, including his latest Finest Hour which received a Grammy nomination for “Best Comedy Album,” as well as a Showtime one-hour special of the same name. In 2009, Patton received his first Grammy nomination for his album My Weakness Is Strong which was distributed through Warner Brothers Records.
In addition to his guest roles this past year on Parks and Recreation, Justified, Two and a Half Men, Portlandia, Burn Notice, Patton also voiced characters on The Simpsons and Bob’s Burgers. He was a series regular on Showtime’s United States of Tara, appeared as a guest star on Bored To Death and Flight of the Conchords on HBO and The Sarah Silverman Program on Comedy Central. He also recurred on the SyFy series Caprica. Patton was also a regular contributor to Countdown with Keith Olbermann, Real Time with Bill Maher and Lewis Black’s Root Of All Evil. In 2009, Patton appeared in Steven Soderbergh’s feature film The Informant, and Observe and Report with Seth Rogen.
Patton provided the voice for ‘Remy’, the rat, in Pixar’s Oscar winning Ratatouille. He also voiced characters on Word Girl and Neighbors from Hell. Patton has also appeared in more then 20 films, including Magnolia, Starsky and Hutch and Reno 911!: Miami.
Patton starred in The Comedians of Comedy, which was shot as an independent feature film, a TV series and a long running tour.
He tours regularly and extensively, headlining both in the United States and UK, and is a regular at music festivals like Bumbershoot, Bonnaroo, Comic-Con and Coachella. Patton also has a regular, bi-monthly show at the new Largo at the Coronet Theater in Los Angeles.
On TV, he played ‘Spence’ on The King of Queens on CBS for nine seasons, as well as appearing on Seinfeld, Reaper, Aqua Teen Hunger Force and Tim and Eric’s Awesome Show, Great Job!
Patton’s first published book Zombie Spaceship Wasteland was released in January 2011 and is a New York Times Best Seller.
ABOUT THE FILM INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS
Now in its 29th year, the Film Independent Spirit Awards is an annual celebration honoring artist-driven films made with an economy of means by filmmakers who 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.
Awards are given in the following categories: Best Feature, Best First Feature, Best First Screenplay, Best Director, Best Screenplay, John Cassavetes Award (given to the best feature made for a budget under $500,000), Best Male Lead, Best Female Lead, Best Supporting Male, Best Supporting Female, Best Cinematography, Best International Film, Best Documentary, Best Editing and the Robert Altman Award. The Filmmaker Awards include the Piaget Producers Award, the Stella Artois Truer Than Fiction Award and the Someone to Watch Award.
The production team for this year’s Spirit Awards includes Director and Producer Chris Donovan; Producer Shawn Davis, who has been a part of the show and produced the Spirit Awards for 11 years; and Producer John Hamilton, who has produced the Spirit Awards for 9 years.
The Film Independent Spirit Awards are sponsored by Premier Sponsors Piaget, the Lincoln Motor Company and IFC and by Principal Sponsor Stella Artois. WireImage is the Official Photographer and PR Newswire is the Official Breaking News Service of Film Independent.
For more information on submission guidelines, voting, media and publicist credentials, and the history of the Spirit Awards, please visit spiritswards.com.
ABOUT FILM INDEPENDENT
Film Independent is a nonprofit arts organization that champion’s independent film and supports a community of artists who embody diversity, innovation, and uniqueness of vision. Film Independent helps filmmakers make their movies, builds an audience for their projects, and works to diversify the film industry. Film Independent’s Board of Directors, filmmakers, staff, and constituents, is comprised of an inclusive community of individuals across ability, age, ethnicity, gender, race, and sexual orientation. Anyone passionate about film can become a member, whether you are a filmmaker, industry professional, or a film lover.
With over 250 annual screenings and events, Film Independent provides access to a network of like-minded artists who are driving creativity in the film industry. Film Independent’s Artist Development program offers free Labs for selected writers, directors, producers and documentary filmmakers and presents year-round networking opportunities. Project:Involve is Film Independent’s signature program dedicated to fostering the careers of talented filmmakers from communities traditionally underrepresented in the film industry.
For more information or to become a member, visit filmindependent.org.