Film Independent, the nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering independence and inclusivity in visual storytelling, announced this morning the nominations for the film and television categories at the 2024 Film Independent Spirit Awards. Film Independent President Josh Welsh introduced the prerecorded video announcement, which featured guest presenters Joel Kim Booster (2023 Spirit Award nominee for Fire Island) and Natalie Morales (No Hard Feelings). American Fiction, May December and Past Lives led the film nominations with five each, while I’m a Virgo and The Last of Us garnered the most nominations in the television categories. Watch the announcement here.
The 39th Film Independent Spirit Awards, hosted by Saturday Night Live alum Aidy Bryant, will take place on Sunday, February 25, 2024. The in-person show, held at the beach in Santa Monica, will be streamed live on the IMDb and Film Independent YouTube channels, and across other social platforms. The Spirit Awards are the primary fundraiser for Film Independent’s year-round slate of programs, which cultivate the careers of emerging filmmakers and celebrate creative independence, diversity, innovation and uniqueness of vision in independent film and television.
This year will also pay special tribute to the 30th anniversary of Film Independent’s innovative and influential Artist Development program, which supports creative voices and diverse perspectives in film and television by giving filmmakers the resources they need to advance their projects and build sustainable careers. Artists who have received support from the Artist Development program include Elegance Bratton (The Inspector), Siân Heder (CODA), Justin Simien (Dear White People), Lulu Wang (The Farewell) and Chloé Zhao (Nomadland).
“This year’s exciting group of Spirit Award nominees reflect the undeniable strength and vitality of independent storytelling – this is the beating heart of film culture today,” said Josh Welsh, President of Film Independent. “It’s especially thrilling to see so many nominees who have benefited from the support of the Artist Development program. We can’t wait to celebrate the incredible work these artists have created and look forward to everything they have in store for us for years to come.”
The 2024 Best Feature nominees include All of Us Strangers, American Fiction, May December, Passages, Past Lives and We Grown Now. Showing Up, from director Kelly Reichardt, has been selected to receive the Robert Altman Award, which is bestowed upon a single film’s director, casting director and ensemble cast. The Altman Award was created in 2008 in honor of legendary director Robert Altman, known for populating his films with extraordinary ensemble casts.
On the television side, the 2024 Best New Scripted Series nominees include Beef, Dreaming Whilst Black, I’m a Virgo, Jury Duty and Slip. In the Best New Non-Scripted or Documentary Series category, the nominees are Deadlocked: How America Shaped the Supreme Court, Dear Mama, Murder in Big Horn, Stolen Youth: Inside the Cult at Sarah Lawrence and Wrestlers.
New to the television categories is Best Breakthrough Performance in a New Scripted Series, honoring actors making themselves known to wider audiences through noteworthy character portrayals. The nominees include Clark Backo for The Changeling, Aria Mia Loberti for All the Light We Cannot See, Adjani Salmon for Dreaming Whilst Black, Keivonn Montreal Woodard for The Last of Us and Kara Young for I’m a Virgo.
Among this year’s nominees, ten have been previously supported by Film Independent’s Artist Development programs. They include Maria Altamirano (Best First Feature for All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt), Tze Chun (Best New Scripted Series for I’m a Virgo), Ruben Fleischer (Best New Scripted Series for Jury Duty), Jomo Fray (Best Cinematography for All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt), Raven Jackson (Best First Feature for All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt), Pamela Koffler (Best Feature for May December and Past Lives), Krista Parris (Best New Non-Scripted or Documentary Series for Stolen Youth: Inside the Cult at Sarah Lawrence), Kelly Reichardt (Robert Altman Award for Showing Up), Laura Wagner (John Cassavetes Award for Fremont) and Monique Walton (Producers Award).
This year the Spirit Awards Film Nominating Committees selected nominees from over 27 different countries with budget ranges between $10,000 and $28 million, applying the following guidelines in determining nominees: uniqueness of vision, original and provocative subject matter and economy of means. Of all nominated writers, directors, producers and technical artists, 40% are women and 32% are BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color). Among the nominated performers, 49% are women and 40% are BIPOC. And of all 2024 nominees, 42% are women and 34% are BIPOC.
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. This year, the Spirit Awards nominating committees are 56% female, 3% Nonbinary, 3% Transgender, and 49% BIPOC; 29% identify as LGBTQ+ and 3% identify as people with disabilities (PWD).
Film Independent Spirit Awards are supported by Principal Sponsor IMDb and Official Sponsors Bulleit Frontier Whiskey and FIJI Water. Easterseals Disability Services is the accessibility partner. Hotel Casa del Mar is an Official Hotel. Getty Images is the Official Photographer. Vision Media is the exclusive screening partner.
All of Us Strangers
Producers: Graham Broadbent, Pete Czernin, Sarah Harvey
American Fiction
Producers: Cord Jefferson, Jermaine Johnson, Nikos Karamigios, Ben LeClair
May December
Producers: Jessica Elbaum, Will Ferrell, Grant S. Johnson, Pamela Koffler, Tyler W. Konney, Sophie Mas, Natalie Portman, Christine Vachon
Passages
Producers: Michel Merkt, Saïd Ben Saïd
Past Lives
Producers: David Hinojosa, Pamela Koffler, Christine Vachon
We Grown Now
Producers: Minhal Baig, Joe Pirro
BEST FIRST FEATURE (Award given to director and producer)
All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt
Director: Raven Jackson
Producers: Maria Altamirano, Mark Ceryak, Barry Jenkins, Adele Romanski
Chronicles of a Wandering Saint
Director: Tomás Gómez Bustillo
Producers: Gewan Brown, Amanda Freedman
Earth Mama
Director/Producer: Savanah Leaf
Producers: Sam Bisbee, Shirley O’Connor, Medb Riordan, Cody Ryder
A Thousand and One
Director: A.V. Rockwell
Producers: Julia Lebedev, Rishi Rajani, Eddie Vaisman, Lena Waithe, Brad Weston
Upon Entry
Directors: Alejandro Rojas, Juan Sebastián Vásquez
Producers: Sergio Adrià, Carlos Juárez, Alba Sotorra, Carles Torras, Xosé Zapata
JOHN CASSAVETES AWARD – Given to the best feature made for under $1,000,000 (Award given to the writer, director and producer)
The Artifice Girl
Director/Writer: Franklin Ritch
Producers: Aaron B. Koontz, Ashleigh Snead
Cadejo Blanco
Director/Writer/Producer: Justin Lerner
Producers: Mauricio Escobar, Ryan Friedkin, Jack Patrick Hurley
Fremont
Director/Writer: Babak Jalali
Writer: Carolina Cavalli
Producers: Rachael Fung, Chris Martin, Marjaneh Moghimi, George Rush, Sudnya Shroff, Laura Wagner
Rotting in the Sun
Director/Writer: Sebastián Silva
Writer: Pedro Peirano
Producer: Jacob Wasserman
The Unknown Country
Director/Writer/Producer: Morrisa Maltz
Writer: Lily Gladstone
Writers/Producers: Lainey Bearkiller Shangreaux, Vanara Taing
Producers: Katherine Harper, Laura Heberton, Tommy Heitkamp
BEST DIRECTOR
Andrew Haigh
All of Us Strangers
Todd Haynes
May December
William Oldroyd
Eileen
Ira Sachs
Passages
Celine Song
Past Lives
BEST SCREENPLAY
David Hemingson
The Holdovers
Cord Jefferson
American Fiction
Laura Moss, Brendan J. O’Brien
Birth/Rebirth
Emma Seligman, Rachel Sennott
Bottoms
Celine Song
Past Lives
BEST FIRST SCREENPLAY
Samy Burch; Story by Samy Burch, Alex Mechanik
May December
Noah Galvin, Molly Gordon, Nick Lieberman, Ben Platt
Theater Camp
Tomás Gómez Bustillo
Chronicles of a Wandering Saint
Laurel Parmet
The Starling Girl
Alejandro Rojas, Juan Sebastián Vásquez
Upon Entry
BEST LEAD PERFORMANCE
Jessica Chastain
Memory
Greta Lee
Past Lives
Trace Lysette
Monica
Natalie Portman
May December
Judy Reyes
Birth/Rebirth
Franz Rogowski
Passages
Andrew Scott
All of Us Strangers
Teyana Taylor
A Thousand and One
Jeffrey Wright
American Fiction
Teo Yoo
Past Lives
BEST SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE
Erika Alexander
American Fiction
Sterling K. Brown
American Fiction
Noah Galvin
Theater Camp
Anne Hathaway
Eileen
Glenn Howerton
BlackBerry
Marin Ireland
Eileen
Charles Melton
May December
Da’Vine Joy Randolph
The Holdovers
Catalina Saavedra
Rotting in the Sun
Ben Whishaw
Passages
BEST BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE
Marshawn Lynch
Bottoms
Atibon Nazaire
Mountains
Tia Nomore
Earth Mama
Dominic Sessa
The Holdovers
Anaita Wali Zada
Fremont
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Katelin Arizmendi
Monica
Eigil Bryld
The Holdovers
Jomo Fray
All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt
Pablo Lozano
Chronicles of a Wandering Saint
Pat Scola
We Grown Now
BEST EDITING
Santiago Cendejas, Gabriel Díaz, Sofía Subercaseaux
Rotting in the Sun
Stephanie Filo
We Grown Now
Daniel Garber
How to Blow Up a Pipeline
Jon Philpot
Theater Camp
Emanuele Tiziani
Upon Entry
ROBERT ALTMAN AWARD – Given to one film’s director, casting director and ensemble cast
Showing Up
Director: Kelly Reichardt
Casting Director: Gayle Keller
Ensemble Cast: André Benjamin, Hong Chau, Judd Hirsch, Heather Lawless, James Le Gros, John Magaro, Matt Malloy, Amanda Plummer, Maryann Plunkett, Denzel Rodriguez, Michelle Williams
BEST DOCUMENTARY (Award given to the director and producer)
Bye Bye Tiberias
Director: Lina Soualem
Producer: Jean-Marie Nizan
Four Daughters
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Producer: Nadim Cheikhrouha
Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project
Directors/Producers: Joe Brewster, Michèle Stephenson
Producer: Tommy Oliver
Kokomo City
Director: D. Smith
Producers: Bill Butler, Harris Doran
The Mother of All Lies
Director/Producer: Asmae El Moudir
BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM (Award given to the director)
Anatomy of a Fall
France
Director: Justine Triet
Godland
Denmark/Iceland
Director: Hlynur Pálmason
Mami Wata
Nigeria
Director: C.J. ‘Fiery’ Obasi
Tótem
Mexico
Director: Lila Avilés
The Zone of Interest
United Kingdom, Poland, USA
Director: Jonathan Glazer
PRODUCERS AWARD presented by Bulleit Frontier Whiskey – The Producers Award, now in its 27th year, honors emerging producers who, despite highly limited resources, demonstrate the creativity, tenacity and vision required to produce quality independent films.
Rachael Fung
Graham Swon
Monique Walton
SOMEONE TO WATCH AWARD – The Someone to Watch Award, now in its 30th year, recognizes a talented filmmaker of singular vision who has not yet received appropriate recognition.
Joanna Arnow
The Feeling That the Time for Doing Something Has Passed
Laura Moss
Birth/Rebirth
Monica Sorelle
Mountains
TRUER THAN FICTION AWARD – The Truer Than Fiction Award, now in its 29th year, is presented to an emerging director of non-fiction features who has not yet received significant recognition.
Set Hernandez
unseen
Jesse Short Bull, Laura Tomaselli
Lakota Nation vs. United States
Sierra Urich
Joonam
BEST NEW NON-SCRIPTED OR DOCUMENTARY SERIES (Award given to the Creator, Executive Producer, Co-Executive Producer)
Deadlocked: How America Shaped the Supreme Court
Executive Producers: Vinnie Malhotra, Aaron Saidman, Eli Holzman, Dawn Porter
Dear Mama
Executive Producers: Lasse Järvi, Quincy ‘QD3’ Jones III, Staci Robinson, Nelson George, Charles D. King, Peter Nelson, Adel ‘Future’ Nur, Jamal Joseph, Ted Skillman, Allen Hughes, Steve Berman, Marc Cimino, Jody Gerson, John Janick, Nicholas Ferrall, Nigel Sinclair
Murder in Big Horn
Executive Producers: Matthew Galkin, Vinnie Malhotra
Co-Executive Producers: Lisa Kalikow, Joshua Levine
Stolen Youth: Inside the Cult at Sarah Lawrence
Executive Producers: Mindy Goldberg, Dan Cogan, Liz Garbus, Jon Bardin, Zach Heinzerling, Krista Parris, Daniel Barban Levin, Felicia Rosario
Co-Executive Producer: Julie Gaither
Wrestlers
Executive Producers: Greg Whiteley, Ryan O’Dowd
Co-Executive Producers: Alejandro Melendez, Adam Leibowitz
BEST NEW SCRIPTED SERIES (Award given to the Creator, Executive Producer, Co-Executive Producer)
Beef
Creator/Executive Producer: Lee Sung Jin
Executive Producers: Steven Yeun, Ali Wong, Jake Schreier, Ravi Nandan, Alli Reich
Co-Executive Producers: Alice Ju, Carrie Kemper
Dreaming Whilst Black
Creator/Executive Producer: Adjani Salmon
Creators: Maximilian Evans, Natasha Jatania, Laura Seixas
Executive Producers: Tanya Qureshi, Dhanny Joshi, Bal Samra, Thomas Stogdon
I’m a Virgo
Creator/Executive Producer: Boots Riley
Executive Producers: Tze Chun, Michael Ellenberg, Lindsey Springer, Jharrel Jerome, Rebecca Rivo
Co-Executive Producers: Marcus Gardley, Carver Karaszewski
Jury Duty
Creators/Executive Producers: Lee Eisenberg, Gene Stupnitsky
Executive Producers: David Bernad, Ruben Fleischer, Nicholas Hatton, Cody Heller, Todd Schulman, Jake Szymanski, Andrew Weinberg
Slip
Creator/Executive Producer: Zoe Lister-Jones
Executive Producers: Ro Donnelly, Dakota Johnson, Katie O’Connell Marsh, David Fortier, Ivan Schneeberg
BEST LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A NEW SCRIPTED SERIES
Emma Corrin
A Murder at the End of the World
Dominique Fishback
Swarm
Betty Gilpin
Mrs. Davis
Jharrel Jerome
I’m a Virgo
Zoe Lister-Jones
Slip
Bel Powley
A Small Light
Bella Ramsey
The Last of Us
Ramón Rodríguez
Will Trent
Ali Wong
Beef
Steven Yeun
Beef
BEST SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A NEW SCRIPTED SERIES
Murray Bartlett
The Last of Us
Billie Eilish
Swarm
Jack Farthing
Rain Dogs
Nick Offerman
The Last of Us
Adina Porter
The Changeling
Lewis Pullman
Lessons in Chemistry
Benny Safdie
The Curse
Luke Tennie
Shrinking
Olivia Washington
I’m a Virgo
Jessica Williams
Shrinking
BEST BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE IN A NEW SCRIPTED SERIES
Clark Backo
The Changeling
Aria Mia Loberti
All the Light We Cannot See
Adjani Salmon
Dreaming Whilst Black
Keivonn Montreal Woodard
The Last of Us
Kara Young
I’m a Virgo
BEST ENSEMBLE CAST IN A NEW SCRIPTED SERIES
Jury Duty
Ensemble Cast: Alan Barinholtz, Susan Berger, Cassandra Blair, David Brown, Kirk Fox, Ross Kimball, Pramode Kumar, Trisha LaFache, Mekki Leeper, James Marsden, Edy Modica, Kerry O’Neill, Rashida Olayiwola, Whitney Rice, Maria Russell, Ishmel Sahid, Ben Seaward, Ron Song, Evan Williams
For over 40 years, Film Independent has helped filmmakers get their projects made and seen. The nonprofit organization’s core mission is to champion creative independence in visual storytelling in all its forms, and to foster a culture of inclusion. We support a global community of artists and audiences who embody diversity, innovation, curiosity and uniqueness of vision.
BOOKING.COM have just released their Most Welcoming Places lists and Traveller Review Awards recipient. Making huge gains are Newfoundland and Labrador placing in the top 10 most welcoming places on earth! St. John’s was also named the 4th most welcoming city in Canada. Toronto, you better step it up!
As travel continues to make its return in most parts of the world, the 11th annual Booking.com Traveller Review Awards recognize travel providers from across 220 countries and territories for their commitment to providing consistently excellent service and hospitality over the course of the year. Based on a pool of over 240 million verified customer reviews on Booking.com, 1,364,415 accommodation partners, 230 car rental providers and 58 airport taxi suppliers are receiving a Traveller Review Award 2023. Italy leads the way again in 2023 with a total of 170,638 accommodation awards, followed by Spain (108,217), France (103,365), Germany (76,479), Croatia (64,206), Poland (60,721), UK (60,697), Greece (54,473), Brazil (53,658) and the US (46,839).
Hotels and apartments continue to shine
The most awarded property type within Canada is hotels, claiming 1,360 across the country. In second place is apartments with 1,360 awards, then bed & breakfasts with 979, holiday homes with 651, and rounding out the top five is chalets with 429 awards. Globally, apartments take the top spot for the sixth year in a row, with 629,421 partners being recognized for their efforts in the 2023 edition of the Traveller Review Awards.
When it comes to the countries being recognized with the most awards for homes, apartments and other unique places to stay, Italy (153,895), Spain (98,788), France (94,285), Germany (64,748) and Croatia (63,219) lead the way.
A more sustainable traveller experience
Nearly one in ten accommodation award recipients globally (122,095) have also been recognized with a Travel Sustainable badge for their efforts to operate more sustainably. In fact, Travel Sustainable accommodations were three times more likely to receive a Traveller Review Award 2023, compared to those not being recognized with a Travel Sustainable badge. Out of all accommodation types, hotels had the highest share of Travel Sustainable accommodations (15%) receiving a Traveller Review Award 2023.
Arjan Dijk, SVP and Chief Marketing Officer for Booking.com, commented: “It’s that personal attention to detail when checking in or sharing helpful recommendations to explore the destination like a local that demonstrates how our partners show up and shine for travellers in a multitude of ways each and every day. These awards are our way of thanking them for their dedication to making everyone feel welcome and to going out of their way to create incredible experiences for our customers. Whether it’s a friendly greeting from a taxi driver at the airport, sharing some local driving tips at the car rental counter or a thoughtful note waiting in the room, our passionate partners help make every trip more special.”
2023’s Most Welcoming Places in Canada and Beyond
This year’s Most Welcoming Places have all been identified based on the share of accommodation partners receiving a Traveller Review Award 2023* and provide even the most seasoned traveller with inspiration for their future trips. Here are the most welcoming places across Canada.
2023’s Most Welcoming Cities in Canada
2023’s Most Welcoming Regions in Canada
The real stars of the show, the local properties themselves, have earned consistent Booking.com scores of 9.7 or higher across anywhere from 50 to over 400 reviews. Here are ten of the consistently highest rated Traveller Reviews Awards properties in Canada.
This year’s Most Welcoming Places on Earth span five continents and feature hidden coastal gems, rural destinations surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty, a bustling Latin American metropolis, and a fan favourite island here in Canada with its own time zone and dialect.
2023’s Most Welcoming Cities On Earth
2023’s Most Welcoming Regions On Earth
For more about exploring and experiencing all these welcoming cities have to offer, check out this destination guide.
Helping travellers get from A to B
This is the fourth year that Booking.com is recognising on-the-ground transport providers for their consistently great service, with 230 car rental companies from across 150 countries picking up a Traveller Review Award 2023. Car rental companies in Spain are being recognized with the most 2023 awards (23), followed by Greece (21), France (14), Italy (13) and Portugal (11). 58 airport taxi providers, representing a total of 6,131 drivers from across 120 countries are also being recognized with a 2023 award. Companies in Spain are again receiving the most awards (11 providers representing 442 drivers), followed by Greece (7 providers representing 1,196 drivers), Italy (5 providers representing 315 drivers), Poland (3 providers representing 524 drivers) and Portugal (3 providers representing 655 drivers).
Nominations were announced today for the 38th Annual FILM INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS, set to take place March 4, 2023 in Santa Monica, California! The announcements were hosted by Raul Castillo (The Inspection) and Taylour Paige (Zola). Leading the pack with eight nominations this year is EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE!
Nominees are as follows:
BEST FEATURE (Award given to the producer)
Bones and All
Producers: Timothée Chalamet, Francesco Melzi d’Eril, Luca Guadagnino, David Kajganich, Lorenzo Mieli, Marco Morabito, Gabriele Moratti, Theresa Park, Peter Spears
Everything Everywhere All At Once
Producers: Daniel Kwan, Mike Larocca, Anthony Russo, Joe Russo, Daniel Scheinert, Jonathan Wang
Our Father, the Devil
Producers: Ellie Foumbi, Joseph Mastantuono
Tár
Producers: Todd Field, Scott Lambert, Alexandra Milchan
Women Talking
Producers: Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Frances McDormand
BEST FIRST FEATURE (Award given to director and producer)
Aftersun
Director: Charlotte Wells
Producers: Mark Ceryak, Amy Jackson, Barry Jenkins, Adele Romanski
Emily the Criminal
Director: John Patton Ford
Producers: Tyler Davidson, Aubrey Plaza, Drew Sykes
The Inspection
Director: Elegance Bratton
Producers: Effie T. Brown, Chester Algernal Gordon
Murina
Director: Antoneta Alamat Kusijanović
Producers: Danijel Pek, Rodrigo Teixeira
Palm Trees and Power Lines
Director/Producer: Jamie Dack
Producer: Leah Chen Baker
JOHN CASSAVETES AWARD (Given to the best feature made for under $1,000,000; Award given to the writer, director, and producer)
The African Desperate
Writer/Director/Producer: Martine Syms
Writer/Producer: Rocket Caleshu
Producer: Vic Brooks
The Cathedral
Writer/Director: Ricky D’Ambrose
Producer: Graham Swon
Holy Emy
Writer/Director: Araceli Lemos
Writer/Producer: Giulia Caruso
Producers: Mathieu Bompoint, Ki Jin Kim, Konstantinos Vassilaros
A Love Song
Writer/Director/Producer: Max Walker-Silverman
Producers: Jesse Hope, Dan Janvey
Something in the Dirt
Writer/Director/Producer: Justin Benson
Director/Producer: Aaron Moorhead
Producer: David Lawson Jr.
BEST DIRECTOR
Todd Field
Tár
Kogonada
After Yang
Daniel Kwan & Daniel Scheinert
Everything Everywhere All At Once
Sarah Polley
Women Talking
Halina Reijn
Bodies Bodies Bodies
BEST SCREENPLAY
Lena Dunham
Catherine Called Birdy
Todd Field
Tár
Kogonada
After Yang
Daniel Kwan & Daniel Scheinert
Everything Everywhere All At Once
Sarah Polley
Women Talking
BEST FIRST SCREENPLAY
Joel Kim Booster
Fire Island
Jamie Dack, Audrey Findlay; Story by Jamie Dack
Palm Trees and Power Lines
K.D. Dávila
Emergency
Sarah DeLappe, Story by Kristen Roupenian
Bodies Bodies Bodies
John Patton Ford
Emily the Criminal
BEST LEAD PERFORMANCE
Cate Blanchett
Tár
Dale Dickey
A Love Song
Mia Goth
Pearl
Regina Hall
Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul.
Paul Mescal
Aftersun
Aubrey Plaza
Emily the Criminal
Jeremy Pope
The Inspection
Andrea Riseborough
To Leslie
Taylor Russell
Bones and All
Michelle Yeoh
Everything Everywhere All At Once
BEST SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE
Jamie Lee Curtis
Everything Everywhere All At Once
Brian Tyree Henry
Causeway
Nina Hoss
Tár
Brian d’Arcy James
The Cathedral
Ke Huy Quan
Everything Everywhere All At Once
Trevante Rhodes
Bruiser
Theo Rossi
Emily the Criminal
Mark Rylance
Bones and All
Jonathan Tucker
Palm Trees and Power Lines
Gabrielle Union
The Inspection
BEST BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE (New Award)
Frankie Corio
Aftersun
Gracija Filipović
Murina
Stephanie Hsu
Everything Everywhere All At Once
Lily McInerny
Palm Trees and Power Lines
Daniel Zolghadri
Funny Pages
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Florian Hoffmeister
Tár
Hélène Louvart
Murina
Gregory Oke
Aftersun
Eliot Rockett
Pearl
Anisia Uzeyman
Neptune Frost
BEST EDITING
Ricky D’Ambrose
The Cathedral
Dean Fleischer Camp, Nick Paley
Marcel the Shell with Shoes On
Blair McClendon
Aftersun
Paul Rogers
Everything Everywhere All At Once
Monika Willi
Tár
ROBERT ALTMAN AWARD (Given to one film’s director, casting director, and ensemble cast)
Women Talking
Director: Sarah Polley
Casting Directors: John Buchan, Jason Knight
Ensemble Cast: Shayla Brown, Jessie Buckley, Claire Foy, Kira Guloien, Kate Hallett, Judith Ivey, Rooney Mara, Sheila McCarthy, Frances McDormand, Michelle McLeod, Liv McNeil, Ben Whishaw, August Winter
BEST DOCUMENTARY (Award given to the director and producer)
All That Breathes
Director/Producer: Shaunak Sen
Producers: Teddy Leifer, Aman Mann
All the Beauty and the Bloodshed
Director/Producer: Laura Poitras
Producers: Howard Gertler, Nan Goldin, Yoni Golijov, John Lyons
A House Made of Splinters
Director: Simon Lereng Wilmont
Producers: Monica Hellström
Midwives
Director/Producer: Snow Hnin Ei Hlaing
Producers: Mila Aung-Thwin, Ulla Lehmann, Bob Moore
Riotsville, U.S.A.
Director: Sierra Pettengill
Producers: Sara Archambault, Jamila Wignot
BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM (Award given to the director)
Corsage
Austria/Luxembourg/France/Belgium/Italy/England
Director: Marie Kreutzer
Joyland
Pakistan/USA
Director: Saim Sadiq
Leonor Will Never Die
Philippines
Director: Martika Ramirez Escobar
Return to Seoul
Cambodia
Director: Davy Chou
Saint Omer
France
Director: Alice Diop
PRODUCERS AWARD presented by Bulleit Frontier Whiskey – The Producers Award, now in its 26th year, honors emerging producers who, despite highly limited resources, demonstrate the creativity, tenacity and vision required to produce quality independent films.
Liz Cardenas
Tory Lenosky
David Grove Churchill Viste
SOMEONE TO WATCH AWARD – The Someone to Watch Award, now in its 29th year, recognizes a talented filmmaker of singular vision who has not yet received appropriate recognition.
Adamma Ebo
Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul.
Nikyatu Jusu
Nanny
Araceli Lemos
Holy Emy
TRUER THAN FICTION AWARD – The Truer Than Fiction Award, now in its 28th year, is presented to an emerging director of non-fiction features who has not yet received significant recognition.
Isabel Castro
Mija
Reid Davenport
I Didn’t See You There
Rebeca Huntt
Beba
The Film Independent Spirit Awards are supported by the Official Spirit, Bulleit Frontier Whiskey, and the Official Water, FIJI Water. Getty Images is the Official Photographer.
More here.
After going virtual last year, the Film Independent Spirit Awards are back in-person on Santa Monica Pier! Nominees were announced this morning and leading the way in nominations with five nominations is IFC Films Thriller THE NOVICE, followed by THE LOST DAUGHTER, the directorial debut of Maggie Gyllenhaal. While the Awards traditionally are held the weekend of the Oscars, an earlier date this year allow the ceremony to be more of a precursor to Awards Season. Some of the presenters this year include Regina Hall, Naomi Watts and Beanie Feldstein.
Full list of nominees:
Best Feature
“A Chiara”
“C’mon C’mon”
“The Lost Daughter”
“The Novice”
“Zola”
Best Director
Janicza Bravo, “Zola”
Maggie Gyllenhaal, “The Lost Daughter”
Lauren Hadaway, “The Novice”
Mike Mills, “C’mon C’mon”
Ninja Thyberg, “Pleasure”
Best Male Lead
Clifton Collins Jr., “Jockey”
Frankie Faison, “Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain”
Michael Greyeyes, “Wild Indian”
Udo Kier, “Swan Song”
Simon Rex, “Red Rocket”
Best Female Lead
Isabelle Fuhrman, “The Novice”
Brittany S. Hall, “Test Pattern”
Patti Harrison, “Together Together”
Taylour Paige, “Zola”
Kali Reis, “Catch the Fair One”
Best Supporting Female
Jessie Buckley, “The Lost Daughter”
Amy Forsyth, “The Novice”
Ruth Negga, “Passing”
Revika Reustle, “Pleasure”
Suzanna Son, “Red Rocket”
Best Supporting Male
Colman Domingo, “Zola”
Meeko Gattuso, “Queen of Glory”
Troy Kotsur, “CODA”
Will Patton, “Sweet Thing”
Chaske Spencer, “Wild Indian”
Best Screenplay
Nikole Beckwith, “Together Together”
Janicza Bravo, Jeremy O. Harris, “Zola”
Maggie Gyllenhaal, “The Lost Daughter”
Mike Mills, “C’mon C’mon”
Todd Stephens, “Swan Song”
Best First Screenplay
Lyle Mitchell Corbine, Jr., “Wild Indian ”
Matt Fifer; Story by Sheldon D. Brown, “Cicada”
Shatara Michelle Ford, “Test Pattern ”
Fran Kranz, “Mass”
Michael Sarnoski; Story by Vanessa Block, Michael Sarnoski, “Pig”
Best First Feature
“7 Days”
“Holler”
“Queen of Glory”
“Test Pattern”
“Wild Indian”
John Cassavettes Award (Given to the best feature made for under $500,000)
“Cryptozoo”
“Jockey”
“Shiva Baby”
“Sweet Thing”
“This is Not a War Story”
Best Cinematography
“A Chiara”
“Blue Bayou”
“The Humans”
“Passing”
“Zola”
Best Documentary
“Ascension”
“Flee”
“In The Same Breath”
“Procession”
“Summer of Soul”
Best Editing
“A Chiara”
“The Nowhere Inn”
“The Novice”
“Zola”
“The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain”
Robert Altman Award (Given to one film’s director, casting director and ensemble cast)
“Mass”
Best International Film
“Compartment No. 6”
“Drive My Car”
“Parallel Mothers”
“Pebbles”
“Petite Maman”
“Prayers for the Stolen”
Producers Award (Honors emerging producers who, despite highly limited resources, demonstrate the creativity, tenacity and vision required to produce quality independent films.)
Brad Becker-Parton
Pin-Chun Liu
Lizzie Shapiro
Someone to Watch Award
Alex Camilleri, “Luzzu”
Michael Sarnoski, “Pig”
Gillian Wallace Horvat, “I Blame Society”
“The Truer Than Fiction Award” (Presented to an emerging director of non-fiction features who has not yet received significant recognition.)
Angelo Madsen Minax, “North By Current”
Jessica Beshir, “Faya Dayi”
Debbie Lum, “Try Harder!”
TELEVISION CATEGORIES
Best New Non-Scripted or Documentary Series
“Black and Missing”
“The Choe Show”
“The Lady and The Dale”
“Nuclear Family”
“Philly D.A.”
Best New Scripted Series
“Blindspotting”
“It’s a Sin”
“Reservation Dogs”
“The Underground Railroad”
“We Are Lady Parts”
Best Female Performance in a New Scripted Series
Thuso Mbedu, “The Underground Railroad”
Anjana Vasan, “We Are Lady Parts”
Jana Schmieding, “Rutherford Falls”
Jasmine Cephas Jones, “Blindspotting”
Deborah Ayorinde, “THEM: Covenant”
Best Male Performance in a New Scripted Series
Lee Jung-jae, “Squid Game”
Olly Alexander, “It’s a Sin”
Michael Greyeyes, “Rutherford Falls”
Murray Bartlett, “The White Lotus”
Ashley Thomas, “THEM: Covenant”
Best Ensemble Cast in a New Scripted Series
“Reservation Dogs”
The 37th annual FILM INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS take place Sunday, March 6, 2022.
(Photo credit: IFC Films )
Hollywood Suite‘s got you covered this Summer with several BAFTA, Independent Spirit and Oscar-winning Films to keep you entertained June through August. See their line-up!
JUNE
June 1–7 Oscar Best Picture
Patton (1970), Moonlight (2016), Kramer vs. Kramer (1979), All About Eve (1950), The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957), The Hurt Locker (2008) and Out of Africa (1985).
June 8–14 BAFTA Best Film
The Full Monty (1997), The Commitments (1991), Bicycle Thieves (1948), Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969), The Killing Fields (1984), Boyhood (2014) and Goodfellas (1990).
June 15–21 Oscar Best Actress
Boys Don’t Cry (1999), The Lion in Winter (1968), Children Of A Lesser God (1986), A Streetcar Named Desire (1951), Coal Miner’s Daughter (1980), Monster’s Ball (2001) and Black Swan (2010).
June 22–28 Oscar Best Supporting Actress
Shampoo (1975), Melvin and Howard (1980), Cactus Flower (1969), The Last Picture Show (1971), The Fighter (2010), California Suite (1978) and My Cousin Vinny (1992).
JULY
June 2–-July 5 Oscar Best Director
The Deer Hunter (1978), Born on the Fourth of July (1989), A Beautiful Mind (2001), The Graduate (1967), Traffic (2000), Saving Private Ryan (1998) and Cabaret (1972).
July 6–12 Oscar Best Picture
Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (2014), Chariots of Fire (1981), The Artist (2011), Casablanca (1942), Silence of the Lambs (1991), The King’s Speech (2010) and Annie Hall (1977).
July 12–19 Film Independent Spirit Awards Best Film
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (2000), Sideways (2004), The Wrestler (2008), Juno (2007), Lost in Translation (2003), The Player (1992) and Pulp Fiction (1994).
July 20–26 Oscar Best Supporting Actor
Django Unchained (2012), Good Will Hunting (1997), Inglourious Basterds (2009), Little Miss Sunshine (2006), Julia (1977), Jerry Maguire (1996) and Whiplash (2014).
AUGUST
July 27–August 2 BAFTAs Best Actress
Secrets and Lies (1996), Charade (1963), The French Lieutenant’s Woman (1981), A Taste of Honey (1961), Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (1974), On Golden Pond (1981) and Still Alice (2014).
August 3–9 Oscar Best Picture
Slumdog Millionaire (2008), 12 Years A Slave (2013), Rain Man (1988), Dances With Wolves (1990), Forrest Gump (1994), Gandhi (1982) and Around The World In 80 Days (1956).
August 10–16 Oscar Best Original Screenplay
Breaking Away (1979), The Crying Game (1992), Ghost (1990), Sunset Boulevard (1950), Almost Famous (2000), Gosford Park (2001) and Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind (2004).
August 17–23 Oscar Best Actor
Wall Street (1987), The Last King of Scotland, (2006), Milk (2008), Save The Tiger (1973), There Will Be Blood (2007), Philadelphia (1993) and Shine (1996).
August 24–30 Oscar Best Actress
Norma Rae (1979), Monster (2003), The Iron Lady (2011), Sophie’s Choice (1982), Funny Girl (1968), Erin Brockovich (2000) and Misery (1990)
August 31 Most Oscars Won By a Film
Summer wraps with the “King of the World,” record-holding 11-time Oscar winner, Titanic (1997).
Visit hollywoodsuite.ca for more.
(Photo credit: Hollywood Suite)
Our four days in Los Angeles were nothing short of magical and our visit couldn’t have come any sooner, as we desperately needed a break from these winter blahs in Toronto! This Awards Season has been the most unpredictable ever I must say, but whether you’re a fan of GREEN BOOK, ROMA, A STAR IS BORN, THE FAVOURITE, BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY, IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK or BLACK PANTHER, chances are you had to have been happy that these Films at some point along the way were recognized with awards!
While we admit this was probably our most tiring trip to the land of the stars, it definitely was the most rewarding. I’m proud of my experiences and love to share them. Meeting my idols is something I always have loved to do and will continue to for a long time! Check-out some of our Selfies from our star-studded visit to Los Angeles!
We’re saddened we couldn’t find Olivia Colman as we’ve wanted to meet her for a long time now, but how can one complain with these many blessings?
Rami Malek – OSCAR Winner!
Glenn Close
Regina King – OSCAR Winner!
Gemma Chan
Fiona Xie
Chris Pang
Bobby Farrelly – Oscar Winner!
Nick Vallelonga – OSCAR Winner!
Brian Hayes Currie – Oscar Winner!
Mahershala Ali – OSCAR Winner!
Yalitza Aparicio
Linda Cardellini
Viggo Mortensen
Allen Leech
Ben Hardy
Gwilym Lee
Roger May
Lucy Boynton
Eli Roth
Carey Mulligan
Taron Egerton
Amber Heard
Liam Hemsworth
Rebel Wilson
Adam Devine
Annie Starke
Ava Duvernay
Holland Roden
Colton Haynes
Alex Pettyfer
Jessica Roth
Josh Gad
Michael Bay
Thomasin McKenzie
Anthony Anderson
Connie Britton
But our favourite pic of all? This shot of us on this A Star is Born Billboard for Lady Gaga‘s ALLY outside Chateau Marmont on Sunset Boulevard! Don’t worry, it wasn’t as high as it looks!
And we always enjoy our dining experiences in Los Angeles, whether it be their staple burger chain IN-N-OUT BURGER which I always make time for. Next time you visit, you must check-out The Butcher, The Baker and The Cappuccino Maker. This is the new it-spot for brunch on Sunset Boulevard. Their Mimosa Flights are a must-try as is their gorgeous Colorburst Latte! Their Eggs Benedict with Avocado and Pork Belly is the best we’ve had. EVER. We hear this place is a celeb hotspot and saw it with our own eyes! Eli Roth tells us he enjoyed his brunch a lot.
Hover cursor right below to navigate the slideshow:
An institution since the ’80s and a huge favourite of the Kardashian family, CHIN CHIN is set to bring California-inspired Chinese cuisine to Toronto in a couple weeks with its first location ever in Canada, near Rogers Centre. We love their Orange Chicken, Chin Chin Chinese Chicken Salad, Wonton Stars (crab-filled) and Crispy Spicy Honey Shrimp. Traditional American-Chinese flavours and a West Coast freshness.
Do not forget to check-out our coverage of the Blue Carpet at the Film Independent Spirit Awards right here!
Until the next trip!
(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)
Taking place tonight at the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, the fifth annual Canadian Screen Awards honoured the year’s best in Television, Film and Digital Media. Earning top honours tonight was ORPHAN BLACK with five wins for Best Dramatic Series, Original Score, Supporting Actor (Kevin Hanchard), Writing and Lead Actress (Tatiana Maslany). The Toronto-made Series, which currently is filming its final episode, will be premiering its fifth and final season Saturday, June 10, 2017.
Leading the way in the Film categories was Xavier Dolan‘s IT’S ONLY THE END OF THE WORLD. The French-Canadian Film which was Canada’s submission at the Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film this year, took home Best Picture, Best Director (Dolan), Adapted Screenplay, Cinematography, Makeup and Best Supporting Actor (Vincent Cassel).
Regina-born Actress Tatiana Maslany was the queen of the night, winning for both her work on Orphan Black and as Lead Actress in the Feature Film The Other Half in which she stars opposite her real-life partner Tom Cullen.
Toronto’s Stephan James took home Lead Actor for his work on sports drama RACE. He stated, “The greatest honour of my career was to portray Jesse Owens.”. The Film also won for Visual Effects, Overall Sound and Sound Editing.
Hosted by a spirited Howie Mandel, the evening also saw icon Christopher Plummer win a Lifetime Achievement Award. He says, “I’ve spent almost 70 years making a fool of myself in this crazy profession of ours. And I’ve had the time of my life.”.
Comedian Dave Chappelle also flew-in for the occasion, presenting the Icon Award to JUST FOR LAUGHS. He credits the organization for helping him achieve his big break, joking “I’d never came to Canada before I came to this festival and when I did, I found that Canada was kinder and gentler, like a little gay brother I didn’t know about.”.
See Red Carpet Highlights from the 2017 Canadian Screen Awards:
See Amanda Gilmore‘s and my Interviews with some of the evening’s stars on the Red Carpet including the cast of Kim’s Convenience and Dave Chappelle:
Some Snaps from the Evening:
Shailyn Pierre-Dixon, “Between”
Sangita Patel, “ET Canada”
Dylan Authors x Mike MacMillan, “WEIRDOS”
Simu Liu, “Kim’s Convenience”
Emmanuel Kabongo
Karine Vanasse, “Cardinal”
Michelle Nolden, “Saving Hope”
Rick Mercer
Erica Durance, “Saving Hope”
Chloe Wilde, “eTalk”
Penny Oleksiak, Gold Medal Olympian
Kim Coates, GOON
Francesco Yates
Wendy Crewson
Kevan Funk x Jared Abrahamson, “Hello Destroyer”
Christopher Plummer, Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient
Jason Priestley x Cindy Sampson, “Private Eyes”
Stephan James, “Race”
Dave Chappelle
Cast of “Orphan Black”
Complete list of winners here.
All photos taken on the NIKON D3300, video on SAMSUNG S7.
(Photo/video credit: Amanda Gilmore/Mr. Will Wong)
The 74th annual Golden Globe Awards took place in Hollywood tonight at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association honouring the year’s best in Film and Television. Taking home top honours tonight with seven wins was Musical La La Land directed by Damien Chazelle. Premiering to raves at the Toronto International Film Festival this past September and winning the People’s Choice Award, the Film swept important categories Best Motion Picture Comedy/Musical, Screenplay (Damien Chazelle), Director (Damien Chazelle), Actress (Emma Stone), Actor (Ryan Gosling), Original Score (Justin Hurwitz) and Original Song (City of Stars).
See the Cast and Director post-victory:
Moonlight which has been a force all Awards Season almost walked away empty-handed, but alas won Best Motion Picture Drama for up-and-coming Director Barry Jenkins.
Tonight’s Best Foreign Motion Picture winner Elle certainly makes the Best Actress Oscars race a bit more interesting with Isabelle Huppert winning in an upset over favoured Natalie Portman.
Manchester by the Sea which long has been considered an Awards Season frontrunner was rewarded Best Actor in a Motion Picture (Casey Affleck).
In the Television categories, The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story, Atlanta and The Crown proved popular. The former won Best Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television and also a win for Sarah Paulson who starred as famed lawyer Marcia Clark. Atlanta, which also is broadcast by FX like The People, won for Best Television Series, Musical or Comedy and Best Actor in a TV Series Comedy (Donald Glover). Netflix‘s The Crown won Best Television Series Drama and Best Actress in a Television Series Drama (Claire Foy).
The show was hosted by Funnyman Jimmy Fallon, who despite technical glitches with the Teleprompter after a spirited La La Land-inspired opening number, managed to overcome adversity to a punchy Donald Trump-targeted speech stating “This is the Golden Globes, one of the few places left where America still honors the popular vote”. He also continued to poke fun referencing this year’s Cecil B. DeMille Award recipient Meryl Streep who starred in Golden Globe-nominated Florence Foster Jenkins, about the world’s worst singer, proclaiming “Even she turned down performing at Donald Trump’s inauguration.”.
Watch the Cold Opening:
Streep was introduced by Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture winner Viola Davis, moving the crowd with some profound statements in her DeMille acceptance speech, encouraging us to “Take our broken hearts and turn them into art.”. She also made a couple pokes at Mixed Martial Arts and President Elect Donald Trump stating, “Disrespect invites disrespect. Violence insights violence. When the powerful use their position to bully others we all lose.”.
Watch the Speech:
Surprises this evening included victories by Aaron Taylor-Johnson for Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture for Nocturnal Animals, which has been much-overlooked this Awards Season. Also, many were surprised that critical darling Game of Thrones, nearing the end of its run, was overlooked all night in favour of new series, expensively-produced The Crown. Daughter of music icon Diana, Tracee Ellis Ross achieved distinction becoming the first black Actress since Debbie Allen in 1983 to win Best Actress in a Television Series, Musical or Comedy for Blackish.
Fashion always is a highlight at the Golden Globes and yellow/gold proved popular with actresses Reese Witherspoon, Emily Ratajkowski, Priyanka Chopra and nominees for Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture and Best Actress in a Motion Picture Drama respectively, Viola Davis and Natalie Portman, donning variations of the colour on the Red Carpet. Actresses Mandy Moore and Kristen Bell also dropped draws with tasteful cleavage-revealing pieces.
Next up are the Academy Awards, which air Sunday, February 26, 2017 8:30 PM EST on ABC.
Complete list of Golden Globe winners here.
(Photo/video credit: Getty Images)
Although it was a competitive year, there would be no stopping Alejandro González Iñárritu‘s BIRDMAN from winning coveted BEST PICTURE at the 87th Academy Awards tonight! This latest victory caps-off a Campaign for the Dramedy beginning with a release last October. Since then, among others, it has nabbed several important Best Picture Awards including yesterday’s Independent Spirit Awards, the Golden Globe Awards and several more. Mexican Filmmaker Iñárritu was awarded Best Director for BIRDMAN, his second nomination after getting a nod for 2007’s Babel.
Winning Best Actor, first-time Nominee at the age of 33 was English Star Eddie Redmayne, recognized for his phenomenal work as Stephen Hawking in The Theory of Everything. He took a moment to dedicate his win to ALS awareness.
After four previous nominations, a tearful Julianne Moore at long last gets a Best Actress trophy for her turn in STILL ALICE, in which she plays a Professor suffering from early-onset Alzheimer’s Disease. The Actress stunned in a unique Chanel number, never before seen on a runway. She thanked her Family and took a moment to direct attention to finding a cure for Alzheimers, and also Richard Glatzer, Director/Writer of Still Alice, whom is suffering from ALS.
As expected, J.K. Simmons as expected took Best Supporting Actor for a stirring performance as a psychotic Conductor in WHIPLASH. Patricia Arquette likewise would go on to take Best Supporting Actress for her performance in BOYHOOD, getting cheers from the likes of Meryl Streep and Jennifer Lopez after making a call to the Industry for equal rights and equal pay for Women.
See it again here:
Why Meryl Streep and J.Lo. freaked out over Patricia Arquette’s Oscar speech. http://t.co/v9IxK6xt8r pic.twitter.com/QbmGr1LSeY
— VANITY FAIR (@VanityFair) February 23, 2015
Stars shined bright on the rainy Red Carpet tonight and turning many heads were Rising Star Margot Robbie in Van Cleef and Arpels in a sheer long-sleeve black gown with a deep plunging ‘V’. Seen widely prior as an Oscar Contender for her fantastic performance in CAKE, Jennifer Aniston donned her signature hair, stunning in a shiny Versace number, fitting her perfect. Reese Witherspoon seen for the first time in Tom Ford this Awards Season, looked stunning with an off-the-shoulder dress just days after being spotted at the Designer’s Show. As for the Gentlemen, Performer Adam Levine and Presenter Josh Hutcherson displayed bespoke tailoring and impeccable grooming, both in Armani!
Star of Stage and Screen Neil Patrick Harris, hosted delivering the laughs with a spirited opening number where he was joined by Anna Kendrick and Jack Black, referring to Motion Pictures as “moving pictures”. He even stripped down to his skivvies for the sake of entertainment!
See his Intro here:
Megastar Lady Gaga warmed the heart of Julie Andrews with a flawless Medley Tribute to the Sound of Music, easily one of the evening’s biggest Highlights!
And for a Canadian connection, Craig Mann, whom I am proud to say I went to High School with at St. Mary Catholic Secondary School in Pickering – we both took Musical Keyboarding – won Best Sound Mixing for WHIPLASH!
For a complete list of Winners, click here.
(Photo/video credit: Getty Images)
The Stars of Canadian Thoroughbred Racing were honoured tonight at Woodbine Racetrack. The 39th annual Sovereign Awards brought together Key Figures in the Sport from across the Country in celebration of the 2013 Racing Season. Everyone ranging from the Media, Jockeys, Owners, Breeders to the Horses were fêted in what was noted as the best-attended edition of the Awards Ceremony in recent years.
Crowned Top Honour tonight was Sam-Son Farms‘ Up with the Birds, who ran a dynamite second in the Queen’s Plate last Season, before going-on the win the third leg of Canada’s Triple Crown, the Breeders’ Stakes. He then solidified his cause with a triumph at New York’s Belmont Park in the Grade 1 Jamaica Handicap. In addition, he took home the Award for Champion Three-Year-Old Male tonight, while his famed Owner and Breeder won Outstanding Breeder. Rick Balaz was on-hand to accept the Honour.
Up with the Birds’ regular Rider Eurico Da Silva also was crowned the Country’s most Outstanding Jockey. Playing on his Brazilian background, he started his spirited Acceptance Speech saying “No English”, before eloquently going-on to thank a list of Trainers and fellow Jockeys to whom he attributes his success. Even he acknowledged his Season wasn’t perfect, admitting his disappointment at narrowly losing the Country’s most prestigious Race, the Queen’s Plate, aboard Up with the Birds. Certainly Sovereign Award Voters were more than willing to overlook that one small blemish on both accounts.
Ottawa Senators Chairman Eugene Melnyk also was on-hand to accept Champion Three-Year-Old Female for the hard-trying Leigh Court, inviting those in attendance to go to Barbados to relax with him. “I’d never date her. She’s actually quite nasty”, he reveals about his Champion Filly, before declaring her love for Peppermints. “Those for Horses are equivalent to Diamonds and Women love Diamonds”, he analogizes.
Although not present, Mark Casse once again was named Outstanding Trainer in Canada. He currently is Kentucky prepping for tomorrow’s Grade 1 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland, where he currently is riding a Hot Streak.
Full and complete Stats on all of tonight’s Winners are available right here.
I had the pleasure not only of attending and covering the prestigious Sovereign Awards, but also presenting at them in the Category of Digital/Video Broadcast, won by our Friends at Woodbine Entertainment of the 2013 Ricoh Woodbine Mile. Coincidentally, two-time North American Horse of the Year, Wise Dan, who won that Race last September won again today at Keeneland in his 2014 Return!
I even took a Selfie on-stage:
Prior to the Awards, I was able to have a quick Chat with several of tonight’s Jockey Nominees including: Luis Contreras, Skye Chernetz (Winner, Outstanding Apprentice – she was wearing a Dress by Original), Rico Walcott, Tommy Wong, Amie Pooli, Justin Stein and of course, Outstanding Jockey Winner Da Silva. Want to see what they were up to this Winter and what’s coming next?
Watch below:
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