Searchlight Pictures’ internet satire “Not Okay” opens with a content warning, advising viewers that the film, starring Zoey Deutch, will contain “flashing lights, themes of trauma, and an unlikable female protagonist.”
It might as well say, “This Is a Quinn Shephard Film.”
Shephard made a splash with her 2017 debut feature, “Blame,” a modern retelling of “The Crucible” — read: unlikable women — that she wrote, directed, starred in, edited, and produced at the tender age of 20, using part of her college fund to finance it. The film premiered at the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival, where Shephard was nominated for both Best U.S. Narrative Feature and Best Actress. Samuel Goldwyn Films picked up the film and released it the following year, and Shephard were nominated for an Indie Spirit for Best First Screenplay.
Five years later, Shephard is back with her second feature, “Not Okay,” a razor-sharp satire about internet notoriety, viral fame,...
It might as well say, “This Is a Quinn Shephard Film.”
Shephard made a splash with her 2017 debut feature, “Blame,” a modern retelling of “The Crucible” — read: unlikable women — that she wrote, directed, starred in, edited, and produced at the tender age of 20, using part of her college fund to finance it. The film premiered at the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival, where Shephard was nominated for both Best U.S. Narrative Feature and Best Actress. Samuel Goldwyn Films picked up the film and released it the following year, and Shephard were nominated for an Indie Spirit for Best First Screenplay.
Five years later, Shephard is back with her second feature, “Not Okay,” a razor-sharp satire about internet notoriety, viral fame,...
- 7/27/2022
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
The 2019 Independent Spirit Awards took place on a beach in Santa Monica, Calif., with Barry Jenkins’ “If Beale Street Could Talk” taking the top prize for best feature along with best director for Jenkins.
Ethan Hawke and Glenn Close took the prizes for best male lead and best female lead, respectively. Bo Burnham took the best first screenplay trophy for “Eighth Grade” and Nicole Holofcener and Jeff Whitty won for best screenplay.
The Spirit Awards are chosen by the Film Independent’s 6200 members after an anonymous committee votes on nominations. The eligibility rules require that movies be produced in the U.S. for less than $20 million.
Keep checking back as the winners are updated live.
Best Feature
Eighth Grade
First Reformed
If Beale Street Could Talk (Winner)
Leave No Trace
You Were Never Really Here
Best Director
Debra Granik, Leave No Trace
Barry Jenkins, If Beale Street Could Talk (Winner)
Tamara Jenkins,...
Ethan Hawke and Glenn Close took the prizes for best male lead and best female lead, respectively. Bo Burnham took the best first screenplay trophy for “Eighth Grade” and Nicole Holofcener and Jeff Whitty won for best screenplay.
The Spirit Awards are chosen by the Film Independent’s 6200 members after an anonymous committee votes on nominations. The eligibility rules require that movies be produced in the U.S. for less than $20 million.
Keep checking back as the winners are updated live.
Best Feature
Eighth Grade
First Reformed
If Beale Street Could Talk (Winner)
Leave No Trace
You Were Never Really Here
Best Director
Debra Granik, Leave No Trace
Barry Jenkins, If Beale Street Could Talk (Winner)
Tamara Jenkins,...
- 2/23/2019
- by Variety Staff
- Variety Film + TV
The Film Independent Spirit Awards have come to a close in sunny Santa Monica, with “If Beale Street Could Talk” winning Best Feature, Best Director for Barry Jenkins, and Best Supporting Female for Regina King. The love was spread fairly evenly across the other major prizes, with Glenn Close of “The Wife” taking home Best Actress, Ethan Hawke earning Best Actor for his performance in “First Reformed,” and “Can You Ever Forgive Me?” winning Best Screenplay (Nicole Holofcener & Jeff Whitty) and Best Supporting Male (Richard E. Grant).
“We the Animals” led all films with five nominations, followed by “Eighth Grade,” “First Reformed,” and “You Were Never Really Here” with four apiece. There will be excitingly little overlap between today’s ceremony and tomorrow’s — for the first time since 2008, no movies are up for the top prize at both shows.
Aubrey Plaza hosted the ceremony, which aired on IFC. Full...
“We the Animals” led all films with five nominations, followed by “Eighth Grade,” “First Reformed,” and “You Were Never Really Here” with four apiece. There will be excitingly little overlap between today’s ceremony and tomorrow’s — for the first time since 2008, no movies are up for the top prize at both shows.
Aubrey Plaza hosted the ceremony, which aired on IFC. Full...
- 2/23/2019
- by Michael Nordine
- Indiewire
Winners of the 2019 Independent Spirit Awards, hosted by Aubrey Plaza, were revealed on Saturday, February 23, one day before the Oscars. Unlike years past, when many Best Feature nominees coincided with the Academy Award choices, the 34th edition of the Spirit Awards, which celebrates indie fare, had no cross-over in the Best Picture category.
The biggest winner of the night was “If Beale Street Could Talk,” which took home Best Feature, Best Director for Barry Jenkins and Best Supporting Female for Regina King, who is likely to repeat at the Academy Awards. And Glenn Close, whose little white dog Pippi stole the show, is pretty much a lock to repeat her win for Best Female Lead at the Oscars as well. Otherwise, the Spirits were pretty much spread out, save for two honors granted to the horror remake “Suspiria,” the Robert Altman Award along with cinematography, and two wins, Best Screenplay...
The biggest winner of the night was “If Beale Street Could Talk,” which took home Best Feature, Best Director for Barry Jenkins and Best Supporting Female for Regina King, who is likely to repeat at the Academy Awards. And Glenn Close, whose little white dog Pippi stole the show, is pretty much a lock to repeat her win for Best Female Lead at the Oscars as well. Otherwise, the Spirits were pretty much spread out, save for two honors granted to the horror remake “Suspiria,” the Robert Altman Award along with cinematography, and two wins, Best Screenplay...
- 2/23/2019
- by Susan Wloszczyna
- Gold Derby
The 2019 Independent Spirit Awards will be handed out on February 23 during an afternoon ceremony on Santa Monica. These awards often preview the winners of the Academy Awards the following day. This year, we are predicting that both actress tipped to take home Oscars will win here first: leading lady Glenn Close (“The Wife”) and supporting player Regina King (“If Beale Street Could Talk”). But for the first time in a decade, none of the five films up for Best Feature here number among the nominees for Best Picture at the Oscars.
Scroll down to see the full list of Indie Spirits nominations. This roster of contenders was determined by committees that included film critics, film programmers, producers, directors, writers, cinematographers, editors, actors, past nominees and winners, and members of Film Independent’s Board of Directors. Only American-made movies with budgets under $20 million were eligible for consideration.
Winners will be revealed...
Scroll down to see the full list of Indie Spirits nominations. This roster of contenders was determined by committees that included film critics, film programmers, producers, directors, writers, cinematographers, editors, actors, past nominees and winners, and members of Film Independent’s Board of Directors. Only American-made movies with budgets under $20 million were eligible for consideration.
Winners will be revealed...
- 2/23/2019
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
The 2019 Film Independent Spirit Awards have revealed their nominations. Leading the pack is Jeremiah Zagar’s Malickian coming-of-age tale We the Animals, which nabbed five nods, while grabbing four each were Paul Schrader’s First Reformed, Bo Burnham’s Eighth Grade and Lynne Ramsay’s You Were Never Really Here. Rounding out the Best Feature category was If Beale Street Could Talk and Leave No Trace.
Some of our favourite performances of the year, including Helena Howard, Regina Hall, Carey Mulligan, Richard E. Grant, and Ethan Hawke got nods in their respective categories. Suspiria earned the Robert Altman Award for its ensemble. The Favourite and Roma, which were only eligible for Best International Film, earned nods in that category alongside Burning, Happy as Lazzaro, and Shoplifters.
Check out the nomination list below ahead of a February 23 ceremony.
Best Feature
Eighth Grade
First Reformed
If Beale Street Could Talk
Leave No...
Some of our favourite performances of the year, including Helena Howard, Regina Hall, Carey Mulligan, Richard E. Grant, and Ethan Hawke got nods in their respective categories. Suspiria earned the Robert Altman Award for its ensemble. The Favourite and Roma, which were only eligible for Best International Film, earned nods in that category alongside Burning, Happy as Lazzaro, and Shoplifters.
Check out the nomination list below ahead of a February 23 ceremony.
Best Feature
Eighth Grade
First Reformed
If Beale Street Could Talk
Leave No...
- 11/17/2018
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Roma, The Favourite nominated for best international film.
We The Animals earned five nominations for the upcoming 2019 Spirit Awards, while You Were Never Really Here, First Reformed and Eighth Grade led the field in major categories on four apiece.
You Were Never Really Here, First Reformed and Eighth Grade are up for best feature, alongside Leave No Trace and If Beale Street Could Talk, both of which earned three nods.
We The Animals is in contention for cinematography, editing, first feature, supporting male, and the Someone To Watch Award.
You Were Never Really Here is also in contention for director Lynne Ramsay,...
We The Animals earned five nominations for the upcoming 2019 Spirit Awards, while You Were Never Really Here, First Reformed and Eighth Grade led the field in major categories on four apiece.
You Were Never Really Here, First Reformed and Eighth Grade are up for best feature, alongside Leave No Trace and If Beale Street Could Talk, both of which earned three nods.
We The Animals is in contention for cinematography, editing, first feature, supporting male, and the Someone To Watch Award.
You Were Never Really Here is also in contention for director Lynne Ramsay,...
- 11/16/2018
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Roma, The Favourite nominated for best international film.
We The Animals earned five nominations for the upcoming 2019 Spirit Awards, while You Were Never Really Here, First Reformed and Eighth Grade led the field in major categories on four apiece.
You Were Never Really Here, First Reformed and Eighth Grade are up for best feature, alongside Leave No Trace and If Beale Street Could Talk, both of which earned three nods.
We The Animals is in contention for cinematography, editing, first feature, supporting male, and the Someone To Watch Award.
You Were Never Really Here is also in contention for director Lynne Ramsay,...
We The Animals earned five nominations for the upcoming 2019 Spirit Awards, while You Were Never Really Here, First Reformed and Eighth Grade led the field in major categories on four apiece.
You Were Never Really Here, First Reformed and Eighth Grade are up for best feature, alongside Leave No Trace and If Beale Street Could Talk, both of which earned three nods.
We The Animals is in contention for cinematography, editing, first feature, supporting male, and the Someone To Watch Award.
You Were Never Really Here is also in contention for director Lynne Ramsay,...
- 11/16/2018
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Roma, The Favourite nominated for best international film.
We The Animals earned five 2019 Spirit Awards nominations on Friday (16), while You Were Never Really Here, First Reformed and Eighth Grade led the field in major categories on four apiece.
You Were Never Really Here, First Reformed and Eighth Grade are up for best feature, alongside Leave No Trace, and If Beale Street Could Talk, both of which earned three nods on the day.
We The Animals is in contention for cinematography, editing, first feature, supporting male, and the Someone To Watch Award.
You Were Never Really Here is also contention for director Lynne Ramsay,...
We The Animals earned five 2019 Spirit Awards nominations on Friday (16), while You Were Never Really Here, First Reformed and Eighth Grade led the field in major categories on four apiece.
You Were Never Really Here, First Reformed and Eighth Grade are up for best feature, alongside Leave No Trace, and If Beale Street Could Talk, both of which earned three nods on the day.
We The Animals is in contention for cinematography, editing, first feature, supporting male, and the Someone To Watch Award.
You Were Never Really Here is also contention for director Lynne Ramsay,...
- 11/16/2018
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Roma, The Favourite nominated for best international film.
You Were Never Really Here and First Reformed led the 2019 Spirit Awards announced in Los Angeles on Friday (16), earning four nods apiece.
Both films are up for best feature, alongside Leave No Trace, If Beale Street Could Talk, and Eighth Grade.
You Were Never Really Here is also contention for director Lynne Ramsay, lead male Joaquin Phoenix, and editor Joe Bini while First Reformed earned additional nods for Paul Schrader in the director and screenplay categories, and Ethan Hawke for male lead.
Leave No Trace is nominated for director Debra Granik and supporting female Thomasin Harcourt McKenzie,...
You Were Never Really Here and First Reformed led the 2019 Spirit Awards announced in Los Angeles on Friday (16), earning four nods apiece.
Both films are up for best feature, alongside Leave No Trace, If Beale Street Could Talk, and Eighth Grade.
You Were Never Really Here is also contention for director Lynne Ramsay, lead male Joaquin Phoenix, and editor Joe Bini while First Reformed earned additional nods for Paul Schrader in the director and screenplay categories, and Ethan Hawke for male lead.
Leave No Trace is nominated for director Debra Granik and supporting female Thomasin Harcourt McKenzie,...
- 11/16/2018
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Coming-of-age drama “We the Animals” has scored a leading five Spirit Awards nominations, with “Eighth Grade,” “First Reformed,” and “You Were Never Really Here” taking four each.
The nominees for best feature are “Eighth Grade,” “First Reformed,” “If Beale Street Could Talk,” “Leave No Trace,” and “You Were Never Really Here.”
“We the Animals” received nominations for best first feature, best supporting male actor for Raul Castillo, cinematography, editing, and the Someone to Watch award for Jeremiah Zagar, who directed and adapted the script from Justin Torres’ debut novel of the same name. The movie, which focuses on a mixed-race family in upstate New York, opened at the Sundance Film Festival in January.
Bo Burnham’s comedy-drama “Eighth Grade” took nods for feature, first feature, actress for Elsie Fisher, and supporting male actor for Josh Hamilton. “First Reformed” landed noms for feature, director and screenplay for Paul Schrader, and male lead for Ethan Hawke.
The nominees for best feature are “Eighth Grade,” “First Reformed,” “If Beale Street Could Talk,” “Leave No Trace,” and “You Were Never Really Here.”
“We the Animals” received nominations for best first feature, best supporting male actor for Raul Castillo, cinematography, editing, and the Someone to Watch award for Jeremiah Zagar, who directed and adapted the script from Justin Torres’ debut novel of the same name. The movie, which focuses on a mixed-race family in upstate New York, opened at the Sundance Film Festival in January.
Bo Burnham’s comedy-drama “Eighth Grade” took nods for feature, first feature, actress for Elsie Fisher, and supporting male actor for Josh Hamilton. “First Reformed” landed noms for feature, director and screenplay for Paul Schrader, and male lead for Ethan Hawke.
- 11/16/2018
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
The Film Independent Spirit Awards announced their 2019 nominations on Friday, November 16. So who made the cut at these kudos, which celebrate the best in American independent films? Scroll down to see the complete list.
These Spirit contenders were decided by nominating committees that included film critics, film programmers, producers, directors, writers, cinematographers, editors, actors, past nominees and winners, and members of Film Independent’s Board of Directors. The winners will be chosen by all of Film Independent’s eligible members, including industry insiders and any movie fans who sign up for membership starting at $95 per year.
Sign UPfor Gold Derby’s free newsletter with latest predictions
Eligible films must be American productions with budgets within $20 million, which this year excluded awards contenders like “Vice,” “Mary Queen of Scots,” “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “The Hate U Give,” “Widows,” “Beautiful Boy” and “Black Panther,” among others. Additional titles like “Roma,” “22 July” and “The Favourite...
These Spirit contenders were decided by nominating committees that included film critics, film programmers, producers, directors, writers, cinematographers, editors, actors, past nominees and winners, and members of Film Independent’s Board of Directors. The winners will be chosen by all of Film Independent’s eligible members, including industry insiders and any movie fans who sign up for membership starting at $95 per year.
Sign UPfor Gold Derby’s free newsletter with latest predictions
Eligible films must be American productions with budgets within $20 million, which this year excluded awards contenders like “Vice,” “Mary Queen of Scots,” “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “The Hate U Give,” “Widows,” “Beautiful Boy” and “Black Panther,” among others. Additional titles like “Roma,” “22 July” and “The Favourite...
- 11/16/2018
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
The nominations for the 34th Independent Spirit Awards were announced live this afternoon, setting the stage for the awards season with a decidedly indie bent. Over the last several years, the Indie Spirits have become both a champion of underdog indies and a key indicator in which films and performances could end up with the Oscar.
Some of the year’s biggest titles are, however, not eligible for this year’s Indie Spirits per their rules, including “Vice,” “The Sisters Brothers,” and “Mary Queen of Scots,” while Alfonso Cuarón’s lauded “Roma” only qualifies for Best International Film.
Favorites like “Eighth Grade” and “First Reformed” dominated the big categories, with each film earning four nominations, including Best Feature for both, Best Actress for “Eighth Grade” lead Elsie Fisher, and Best Actor for “First Reformed” star Ethan Hawke. “We the Animals” led the entire field with five total noms. A number...
Some of the year’s biggest titles are, however, not eligible for this year’s Indie Spirits per their rules, including “Vice,” “The Sisters Brothers,” and “Mary Queen of Scots,” while Alfonso Cuarón’s lauded “Roma” only qualifies for Best International Film.
Favorites like “Eighth Grade” and “First Reformed” dominated the big categories, with each film earning four nominations, including Best Feature for both, Best Actress for “Eighth Grade” lead Elsie Fisher, and Best Actor for “First Reformed” star Ethan Hawke. “We the Animals” led the entire field with five total noms. A number...
- 11/16/2018
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
Editor’s note: “Blame” filmmaker Quinn Shephard made her first film at the age of 20, and she wrote about the experiences of her own youth that helped shape what would become her debut.
When I was twelve, standing alone in a home depot, I felt it for the first time. A man staring at me, his wife a few paces behind. I always looked older than my age — 5’3” already, curves filling out, with only my gap-toothed smile as a sneaky reminder that I was not, in fact, a high-schooler. I was watching him, registering the way he looked at me. It was the same way I would feel at fifteen, being kept after class each day by a teacher who used to stare at my legs when I wore short skirts. Not afraid, not yet. Seduced, not by a man, but by a power I did not realize I possessed.
When I was twelve, standing alone in a home depot, I felt it for the first time. A man staring at me, his wife a few paces behind. I always looked older than my age — 5’3” already, curves filling out, with only my gap-toothed smile as a sneaky reminder that I was not, in fact, a high-schooler. I was watching him, registering the way he looked at me. It was the same way I would feel at fifteen, being kept after class each day by a teacher who used to stare at my legs when I wore short skirts. Not afraid, not yet. Seduced, not by a man, but by a power I did not realize I possessed.
- 1/5/2018
- by Quinn Shephard
- Indiewire
Filmmaker Quinn Shephard didn’t go to film school — instead, she made her own. The New Jersey native was just 15 when she came up with the idea for what would become her feature directorial debut “Blame,” a modern high school-set take on Arthur Miller’s classic play “The Crucible.” Seven years later, Shephard is at the Tribeca Film Festival with the film, one that she not only stars in, but also wrote, directed, edited and produced. At 21, she’s reached a benchmark that usually filmmakers a few more years of work.
The film follows Shephard as high school outcast Abigail Grey, who returns to high school after a mysterious incident the year before, only to form a taboo bond with her new drama teacher (Chris Messina). As their relationship blossoms in very unexpected ways, Abigail’s nemesis Melissa (Nadia Alexander) observes from afar, continually threatening to bust the entire situation wide open (a witch hunt?...
The film follows Shephard as high school outcast Abigail Grey, who returns to high school after a mysterious incident the year before, only to form a taboo bond with her new drama teacher (Chris Messina). As their relationship blossoms in very unexpected ways, Abigail’s nemesis Melissa (Nadia Alexander) observes from afar, continually threatening to bust the entire situation wide open (a witch hunt?...
- 4/24/2017
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
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