Film Independent announced the winners of its three Emerging Filmmaker Awards at its annual Spirit Awards Nominee Brunch on Saturday. Winners for the remaining categories are set to be announced on Feb. 22.
Opening remarks were delivered by Brenda Robinson, chair of the board at Film Independent, who remembered the organization’s late president Josh Welsh during her speech.
Welsh died on Dec. 31 after a five-year battle with colon cancer.
Robinson said, “We’re handing out a lot of free hugs this week.” She went on to say, “We’re in quite a moment today, and I’m so grateful to be surrounded by such a beautiful group of people, our wonderful staff and leadership and board. This has been a week of introspection for me and so many of us.”
“Anora” stars Mikey Madison and Mark Eidelstein, “The Substance” star Demi Moore, RaMell Ross whose film “Nickel Boys” was named best picture by the National Society of Film Critics winner were among the stars and nominees in attendance as Robinson asked the room to join her in a round of applause. “I’m going to ask you to do something now for me. I want to lift up Josh. I want to give him that praise. I want to still feel that energy. If you could join me in a round of applause, a standing ovation of cheers.”
The room joined Robinson in remembering and celebrating Walsh.
The Emerging Filmmaker Awards were then presented by “The Morning Show” star Karen Pittman.
Sarah Friedland earned the Someone to Watch Award for her directorial work on “Familiar Touch.” Nicholas Colia and Pham Thien An were recognized as finalists in this category for “Griffin in Summer” and “Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell,” respectively.
Rachel Elizabeth Seed was named the recipient of the Truer Than Fiction Award for “Photographic Memory,” with Julian Brave NoiseCat and Emily Kassie honored as finalists for “Sugarcane” and Carla Gutiérrez as a finalist for “Frida.”
Sarah Winshall nabbed the Producers Award. Alex Coco and Zoë Worth were finalists in this same category.
The Film Independent Spirit Awards, now in its 40th year, will be hosted by former “Saturday Night Live” star Aidy Bryant.