The Independent Spirit Awards Make Several Changes In Preparation for 2023
ISA
The Film Independent organization announced changes on August 30, 2022. The first change is a shift to gender-neutral awards for the Independent Spirit Awards. The organization will combine the historically distinct male and female lead and supporting categories for the film and television Spirits and give each category ten nominees. This will be the same for the TV categories for Best Lead Performance in a New Scripted Series and a newly added award for Supporting Performance in a New Scripted Series. Additionally, a third film category, Best Breakthrough Performance, is being added. Film Independent has also chosen March 4, 2023, for its ceremony, which, like last year, will set it apart from its long-standing position of airing the day before the Oscars. Instead, the two events will be separated by eight days, with the 95th Academy Awards airing on March 12, 2022, on a Sunday.
Other changes include an increase of the budget cap for eligible films to $30 million. Film Independent explains that this alteration is due to the rising cost of production. In addition to the budget cap, the John Cassavetes Award has also increased its eligibility budget to $1 million. Further, to provide independent filmmakers more opportunities to be honored and in reaction to the ongoing effects of COVID-19 on the industry, Film Independent waiving the theatrical-run criteria. This waiver reflects the unfortunate reality that the independent film industry has been one of the hardest hit in terms of theater commitments.
Film nominations for the 2023 Spirit Awards will be announced virtually November 22, 2023, with television nominations announced December 13, 2023.