Film Independent assumed its regular position on Santa Monica Beach on Saturday to present its annual Spirit Awards, the biggest party for the independent film scene. While cameras captured the live show for a stream on YouTube, The Hollywood Reporter was inside the iconic white tent on the beach to bring you all the action you might’ve missed.
Patti LuPone’s Peek-a-Boo While Presenting With Natasha Lyonne
The iconic New Yorkers made the trek to the West Coast for Saturday’s ceremony at which LuPone was nominated for her work in Agatha All Along while Lyonne was honored with the Robert Altman prize for Azazel Jacobs’ His Three Daughters. While in the tent, they made the most of their time by teaming up to present the John Cassavetes Award in what turned out to be one of the liveliest segments of the day thanks to their witty banter (and the reveal that they were renaming it the Gena Rowlands Award). While the nominees were being named on the big screen — the John Cassavetes Award was given to the best feature made under $1 million. LuPone snuck a peek at the winner before it came time to reveal it to the audience. Spoiler alert: the trophy went to Girls Will Be Girls.
Jesse Eisenberg: Emma Stone is “Greatest in Every Genre”
Telecast cameras definitely caught A Real Pain filmmaker Jesse Eisenberg gushing about his “fairy godmother” as he accepted a trophy for best screenplay, among other niceties. The love fest continued backstage when the veteran multi-hyphenate was asked if he would ever write something for the two-time Oscar winner. “Every single person in the world who opens a Final Draft folder wants to write something for Emma Stone,” he said to the press. “She’s the greatest in every genre. I tend not to think of writing from the perspective of what actor could do it, more just [what] characters interest me. I, at some point, will probably have the presumption to write something for her, and it will be a very awkward conversation where she tells me she’s busy.”
Jesse Eisenberg kept the compliments flowing Emma Stone’s way backstage. “Every single person in the world who opens a Final Draft folder wants to write something for Emma Stone,” he said to the press. “She’s the greatest in every genre. I tend not to think of writing from the… pic.twitter.com/PgWHaeTG2J
— Chris Gardner (@chrissgardner) February 23, 2025
Sebastian Stan’s (Late) Arrival and (Crowded) Exit
OK, to be fair, the Oscar-nominated star of The Apprentice wasn’t technically late. He made it to Santa Monica Beach with plenty of time to pose for photographers and rush inside the massive white tent before showtime. But he was the last and final actor to hit the blue carpet and his rep apologized to eager reporters who wanted a quick word with the in-demand star. “Sorry guys, we’re late,” she said as they passed. Hours later, once the show was over, Stan’s SUV was mobbed by autograph hounds as his driver approached PCH.
Colman Domingo Slips Out Early
In case you haven’t heard, this weekend marked yet another hectic crush of awards season events. Saturday delivered the Spirit Awards, the NAACP Image Awards, the Scripter Awards and the Cinema Audio Society Awards, while Sunday is the SAG Awards. So, nobody could fault Colman Domingo for dipping out early from the Spirit Awards. The Oscar-nominated star of Sing Sing made a quiet exit during the best feature acceptance speech in order to make it across town to Pasadena for the NAACP Image Awards, where he was also nominated for his work. It’s a cross-city drive that would make most Angelenos break out in hives.
Colman Domingo slipped out early during best feature speech. Busy Saturday for many stars and nominees in room who had to get to NAACP and other celebrations tonight. Colman is also nominated at NAACP for Sing Sing. #SpiritAwards pic.twitter.com/iWiD36FP1l
— Chris Gardner (@chrissgardner) February 23, 2025
Julio Torres: No Problem(ista) With the Teleprompter
Double nominee Julio Torres had a busy Saturday at the beach. The Fantasmas and Probl