The 2018 Film Independent Spirit Award nominations were announced on November 21, 2017. The Sprit Awards are dedicated to independent filmmakers.
NYU Tisch Alumni received nominations in eight nomination categories, including Best Feature and Best Director, and three filmmaker grant catetories.
The awards ceremony will take place on Saturday, March 3, 2018 in Santa Monica, CA and will be broadcast live on IFC at 2p/5e with returning hosts Nick Kroll and John Mulaney.
Congratulations to our alumni!
BEST FEATURE
The Florida Project
Sean Baker ’98 (BFA, Kanbar, Film & TV), producer
Chris Bergoch ’94 (BFA, Kanbar, Film & TV), producer
Lady Bird
Scott Rudin, Dean’s Council Member, producer
The Rider
Mollye Asher ’14 (MFA, Kanbar, Film & TV), producer
Chloé Zhao (MFA Candidate, Film & TV), producer
BEST FIRST FEATURE
Ingrid Goes West
Aubrey Plaza ’05 (BFA, Kanbar, Film & TV), producer
Oh Lucy!
Atsuko Hirayanagi ’13 (MFA, Kanbar, Film & TV), director/producer
Patti Cake$
Chris Columbus ’80 (BFA, Kanbar, Film & TV), Dean’s Council Member, producer
JOHN CASSAVETES AWARD – Given to the best feature made for under $500,000. (Award given to the writer, director and producer.)
Most Beautiful Island
Larry Fessenden ’86 (BFA, Kanbar, Film & TV), producer
Chadd Harbold ’08 (BFA, Kanbar, Film & TV), producer
BEST DIRECTOR
Sean Baker ’98 (BFA, Kanbar, Film & TV)
The Florida Project
Jonas Carpignano ’16 (MFA, Kanbar, Film & TV)
A Ciambra
Chloé Zhao (MFA Candidate, Kanbar, Film & TV)
The Rider
BEST FIRST SCREENPLAY
Ingrid Jungermann ’15 (MFA, Kanbar, Film & TV)
Women Who Kill
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Joshua James Richards ’16 (MFA, Kanbar, Film & TV)
The Rider
BEST EDITING
Ronald Bronstein ’96 (BFA, Kanbar, Film & TV)
Good Time
BEST MALE LEAD
James Franco ’11 (MFA, Kanbar, Film & TV)
The Disaster Artist
ROBERT ALTMAN AWARD – Given to one film’s director, casting director and ensemble cast
Mudbound
Dee Rees ’07 (MFA, Kanbar, Film & TV), director
BONNIE AWARD – Bonnie Tiburzi Caputo joined American Airlines in 1973 at age 24, becoming the first female pilot to fly for a major U.S. airline. In her honor, the inaugural Bonnie Award will recognize a mid-career female director with a $50,000 unrestricted grant, sponsored by American Airlines.
Chloé Zhao (MFA Candidate, Kanbar, Film & TV)
JEEP TRUER THAN FICTION AWARD – The 23rd annual Truer Than Fiction Award, funded by the Jeep brand, is presented to an emerging director of non-fiction features who has not yet received significant recognition. The award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant funded by the Jeep brand.
Shevaun Mizrahi (MFA Candidate, Kanbar, Film & TV)
Director of Distant Constellation
*We apologize for any omissions. Please email additions or edits to: tsoa.alumni@nyu.edu