At its annual Spirit Awards Nominee Brunch on Saturday, Film Independent honored three up-and-coming directors. The event held to honor the late head of the group, Josh Welsh, was both sad and happy.
Brenda Robinson, chair of the Film Independent board, opened the event by speaking from the heart. She got everyone to stand up and honor Welsh, who died on December 31 after a five-year fight with colon cancer.
Robinson told the audience, which included entertainment industry stars like Mikey Madison and Mark Eidelstein from “Anora,” Demi Moore from “The Substance,” and filmmaker RaMell Ross, whose film “Nickel Boys” was recently praised by the National Society of Film Critics.
Robinson thanked the community, saying, “I’m so thankful to be surrounded by such a beautiful group of people, our wonderful staff, leadership, and board.” “I want to lift Josh,” she said, inviting everyone to celebrate Welsh’s life. I’d like to praise him. It’s still something I want to feel.
The Morning Show star Karen Pittman presented the Emerging Filmmaker Awards after the honor. Sarah Friedland won the Someone to Watch Award for her movie Familiar Touch. The other two finalists were Nicholas Colia (“Griffin in Summer”) and Pham Thien An (“Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell”).
Rachel Elizabeth Seed won the Truer Than Fiction Award for her work on “Photographic Memory in Memory.” In this area, the finalists are Julian Brave NoiseCat, Emily Kassie (“Sugarcane”), and Carla Gutiérrez (“Frida”).
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The Producers Award went to Sarah Winshall, and Alex Coco and Zoë Worth were named as nominees.
There will be a big Spirit Awards event on February 22; this brunch comes before it. Winners in other categories will be announced at this event. As host of the historic 40th version of the awards, Aidy Bryant, who used to be on “Saturday Night Live,” will honor excellence in independent filmmaking.
