• Events
    • Los Angeles Open Mics
    • Los Angeles Shows
    • New York Open Mics
    • New York Shows
  • Book A Tour
  • Venues
  • News
  • Podcast
  • About
    • About The Comedy Bureau
    • Contact
    • Consulting
    • Digital Wall of Trustees

film independent

divider

The 2021 Spirit Awards Is Calling for Entries

October 9, 2020
News
call for entries, film independent, spirit awards

The Spirit Awards attempt to represent the best of the indie side of film and, for the first time starting in 2021, “the indie side” of television. As such, comedy tends to get more of a fair shake than it does with the Oscars and, it’s clear that some of the best television in recent years has come under the umbrella of comedy.

Also, given the closure of movie theaters, many a movie, whether indie or not, has had to opt to release via a streaming service, which might very well open the berth of consideration for films a little wider than it has in the past (most big time film awards require entries to have screened at a brick-and-mortar movie theater for an entire week). It would seem that the requirements suggest that’s the case for both film and television as well.

So, if you’ve got an indie film or brand new TV series that got put on a streaming platform where people had to pay to watch it, you might have a shot at getting nominated for Spirit Award  (also, the submission fees for the Oct. 13th early deadline start at $300 for Film Independent Members and $350 that aren’t).

Get more info and submit to the 2021 Film Independent Spirit Awards here.

February 26, 2020
Uncategorized
eternal sunshine of the spotless mind, film independent, live read

Not only is this an exclusive live read of the trippy existential rom com Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, it will be such a live read with a stellar cast of Tessa Thompson, Adam Scott, Kiersey Clemons, Kelly Marie Tran, and Bridget Regan under the direction of Brett Haley (Hearts Beat Loud, The Hero, All the Bright Places). 

It’s a modern classic and this one night only event will be held at the Directors Guild of America next week on Wed. Mar. 4th thanks to Film Independent (the folks behind the Spirit Awards). Tickets are $50 for GA (and will very likely sell out very quickly). Go get tickets ASAP here.

March 4, 2019
Uncategorized
film independent, john mulaney, live read, my dinner with andre, nick kroll

Yep, Nick Kroll and John Mulaney will be doing a live read of the classic film My Dinner with Andre at Beverly Hills’ Annenberg Center in two weeks. 

You probably already knew about this as tickets for Film Independent members and non-members have already sold out (if you didn’t, you’re welcome for now even get to imagining this happening).

That being said, tickets may be released on the night of and, as usually happens, a few people might not show (there are over 900 seats in the main theater) and we feel like we wouldn’t be doing our due diligence if we didn’t tell you about this.

Get more details here.

The rest of our listings for comedy shows, events, screenings, open mics, maps, and more can be found at www.thecomedybureau.com.

Too Soon: The Comedy of 9/11 Doc Finally Gets a Trailer

February 15, 2019
Uncategorized
9/11, 9/11 jokes, controversial comedy, documentary, edgy comedy, film independent, taboo

It’s almost 20 years since 9/11 and, in that time, there have been a plethora of comedy referencing one of the most horrific events in U.S. history. It’s an inevitable way to process the grief surrounding the memory of 9/11 and comedians have definitely delivered that over the years.

Too Soon: The Comedy of 9/11 attempts to tap into this phenomenon and explain why there is in an inclination to joke about such a massive tragedy and a reciprocal desire to get an emotional release through laughter. There was already a great excerpt that covered how The Onion dealt with 9/11 that made our top 100 list from last year. 

Here’s a trailer that gives a better scope of what this doc from Nick Fituri Scown and Julie Seabaugh will be covering (that includes interviews with Lewis Black, David Cross, Doug Stanhope, Gilbert Gottfried, Lizz Winstead, Laurie Kilmartin, and Ian Edwards, and of course plenty of 9/11 jokes).

Find out more about and when the release date will be for Too Soon at TooSoonDoc.com.

Eighth Grade, Sorry to Bother You, Can You Ever Forgive Me? and More Comedies Score Independent Spirit Awards Nominations

November 16, 2018
Uncategorized
announcements, eighth grade, film independent, spirit awards

Eighth Grade, Sorry to Bother You, Can You Ever Forgive Me? and More Comedies Score Independent Spirit Awards Nominations

The 2019 Film Independent Spirit Awards nominations were just announced and, as they are a little more comedy friendly than their big brother, The Oscars, it’s worth taking a gander of what comedies are hitting with voters this time around.

For this year, there definitely seems to be a strong thread of comedy going to the darker corners of the human experience throughout as Eighth Grade scored multiple nominations along with the dark absurdist fantasy of Sorry to Bother You, Thoroughbreds (a buddy step-patricide comedy), Can You Ever Forgive Me? that has Melissa McCarthy attempting to make a living as a literary forger. From the moody color palate alone, you could toss Yorgos Lanthimos’ latest The Favourite, a period piece comedy about the struggle for power within a Queen’s court.

On the other end of this spectrum, you have more life affirming, specifically feminist, comedies such as Support The Girls and Never Goin’ Back. 

All in all, a very nice, extensive round up of indie comedy nominees this past year as you can see below. Let’s hope a decent amount of them win when the Spirit Awards are handed out on Feb 23rd.

BEST FEATURE
EIGHTH GRADE-Producers: Eli Bush, Scott Rudin, Christopher Storer, Lila Yacoub

BEST FIRST FEATURE
SORRY TO BOTHER YOU-Director: Boots Riley
Producers: Nina Yang Bongiovi, Jonathan Duffy, Charles D. King, George Rush, Forest Whitaker, Kelly Williams

BEST SCREENPLAY
CAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME?-Nicole Holofcener, Jeff Whitty

BEST FIRST SCREENPLAY
EIGHTH GRADE-Bo Burnham
THOROUGHBREDS-Cory Finley

JOHN CASSAVETES AWARD
NEVER GOIN’ BACK-Writer/Director: Augustine Frizzell
Producers: Liz Cardenas, Toby Halbrooks, James M. Johnston

BEST FEMALE LEAD
Elsie Fisher, EIGHTH GRADE
Regina Hall, SUPPORT THE GIRLS

BEST SUPPORTING MALE
Richard E. Grant, CAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME?
Josh Hamilton, EIGHTH GRADE

BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM
THE FAVOURITE (United Kingdom)-Director: Yorgos Lanthimos

Read the full list of Spirit Award nominees here.

Comedy Scores Big at 2018 Spirit Awards + John Mulaney and Nick Kroll’s Opening Monologue

March 4, 2018
Uncategorized
film independent, ifc, john mulaney, nick kroll, spirit awards

While Get Out took top honors of Best Feature and Best Director at this year’s Spirit Awards, seemingly every other award went towards comedy as you can see below:

BEST FEMALE LEAD – Frances McDormand, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
BEST SUPPORTING FEMALE – Allison Janney, I, Tonya
BEST SUPPORTING MALE – Sam Rockwell, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
BEST SCREENPLAY – Greta Gerwig, Lady Bird
BEST EDITING – Tatiana S. Riegel, I, Tonya
BEST FIRST FEATURE – Ingrid Goes West (Director: Matt Spicer, Producers: Jared Ian Goldman, Adam Mirels, Robert Mirels, Aubrey Plaza, Tim White, Trevor White)
BEST FIRST SCREENPLAY – Emily V. Gordon, Kumail Nanjiani, The Big Sick

Hopefully, that’s a good omen for the Oscar results later tonight. 

Get the full list of 2018 Film Independent Spirit Awards Winners here.

Also, John Mulaney and Nick Kroll served up another sharp awards show monologue that was fun and loose, but also game to go a little dark or blue. Watch it here.

One last thing to notice: We’re pretty sure Timothy Chalemet had Armie Hammer who was on a beard shirtless on Facetime (as Hammer was not present at the ceremony). It definitely sweetened the Call Me By Your Name chunk of the monologue.

Remember, John Mulaney and Nick Kroll Are Hosting the Spirit Awards Again This Saturday

March 2, 2018
Uncategorized
film independent, ifc, john mulaney, nick kroll, spirit awards

While so much talk in the entertainment biz is about The Oscars this weekend, please do not forget that you can basically watch another TV special with Nick Kroll and John Mulaney as they are again the hosts of this year’s Film Independent Spirit Awards.

The awards telecast will be broadcast live on IFC at 2PM PST this Saturday. Here are two promos that will key you in on to how much fun this will be.

Submissions for 2018 Los Angeles Film Festival Now Open

January 6, 2018
Uncategorized
film, film festival, film independent, la film festival, laff, los angeles, short film, web series

Submissions for 2018 Los Angeles Film Festival Now Open

If you want to submit any sort of comedy film, short film, web series, music videos, etc. to a big film festival and not have to leave town if it gets picked (or come to LA if it does and you’re from out of town), then get to work on submitting to the LA Film Festival.

Here are a few specifics: 

Submission Deadlines
Early Deadline: February 12, 2018
Regular Deadline: April 9, 2018
Late Deadline: May 21, 2018
Exclusive Late Deadline: June 1, 2018 — Film Independent Members only

Categories:
Feature-length Fiction and Documentary Films (more than 51 minutes)
Short films (less than 26 minutes)
Mid-length short films (between 26 and 50 minutes)
High school shorts (less than 20 minutes)
Web Series (less than 12 minutes)

Get more details and submit here.

Nick Kroll and John Mulaney Will Return as to Host 2018 Spirit Awards

November 14, 2017
Uncategorized
film independent, ifc, john mulaney, nick kroll, spirit awards

Nick Kroll and John Mulaney Will Return as to Host 2018 Spirit Awards

When 2020 (hopefully) rolls around, we’ll have a non-psycho President elected and Kroll and Mulaney will be seen as one of the best comedy duos of the last decade. 

We’ll be excited to see what they have up their sleeve. The 2018 Spirit Awards are set to air on Saturday, Mar. 3rd at 5PM PST on IFC.

John Mulaney and Nick Kroll Brought Their Own Meta Comedy Personal Touch in Their Spirit Awards Opening Monologue

February 26, 2017
Uncategorized
awards show monologue, david lynch, film independent, ifc, indie film, john mulaney, opening monologue, spirit awards, stand up, werner herzog

Like with so many things that they deconstruct with goofy abandon, John Mulaney and Nick Kroll dove into their opening monologue for last night’s Spirit Awards with the same freewheeling, devil-may-care spirit. 

You’ll notice that they pick apart the idea of an awards show monologue, trope by trope, while effortlessly going through actual jokes and then closing with a particularly spectacular finish. 

Watch it all here.

John Mulaney and Nick Kroll Will Take the Reins of The Spirit Awards This Afternoon

February 25, 2017
Uncategorized
film independent, ifc, john mulaney, nick kroll, spirit awards
image

The stars of Oh, Hello and comedians at the top of their game John Mulaney and Nick Kroll will be stepping into their latest gig as a duo: hosting The Film Independent Spirit Awards. 

The ceremony will be broadcast live on IFC at 2PM PST and we can only hope hijinks abound.

Here’s the First Set of Promos for the 2017 Spirit Awards, Hosted by Nick Kroll and John Mulaney

February 3, 2017
Uncategorized
film independent, ifc, john mulaney, nick kroll, promo, spirit awards

They’re dropping the old men get up and will be hosting the 2017 Film Independent Spirit Awards as just Nick Kroll and John Mulaney. Even with the wisecracks about tuna, Kroll and Mulaney might be a damn fine hosting duo.

They definitely look up to the task in this promo.

You can catch them hosting the Spirit Awards live on IFC on Saturday, February 25th at 2PM PST.

Nick Kroll and John Mulaney To Co-Host 2017 Film Independent Spirit Awards

January 3, 2017
Uncategorized
awards season, film independent, hosting, john mulaney, nick kroll, spirit awards

Nick Kroll and John Mulaney To Co-Host 2017 Film Independent Spirit Awards

Kroll and Mulaney have made their mark on Brud-waye. Now, they’re going to take over the awards season circuit.

Catch them preside over the Spirit Awards on Saturday, February 25th at 2PM PST.

Watch Kate McKinnon and Kumail Nanjiani Parody “Carol” for Spirit Awards

February 28, 2016
Uncategorized
carol, cate blanchett, film independent, kate mckinnon, kumail nanjiani, parody, rooney mara, spirit awards

As hosts of yesterday’s Film Independent Spirit Awards, Kate McKinnon and Kumail Nanjiani engaged in the classic movie awards tradition of ribbing and parodying the movies that were nominated. 

Their pedigree of SNL, Portlandia, and Silicon Valley served them well, especially with their great send-up of Carol. Watch it here.

Kate McKinnon and Kumail Nanjiani to Host This Year’s Spirit Awards

January 7, 2016
Uncategorized
film independent, ifc, kate mckinnon, kumail nanjiani, spirit awards

(via Variety)

We sincerely hope that Film Independent lets Kate and Kumail get as weird and crazy as they want.

The choice of hosts in this year’s awards season are really intriguing. From TJ Miller set to host The Critics’ Choice Awards to Ricky Gervais returning for The Golden Globes to now, Kate McKinnon, one of SNL’s current best, and Kumail Nanjiani (who we hope you know from Silicon Valley, The Meltdown with Jonah & Kumail, and Portlandia) getting ready to host The Film Independent Spirit Awards.

The ceremony will be broadcast live on IFC on Sat. Feb. 27th, which we’re sure will make for some damn good fun with Kate and Kumail at the helm.

“Anomalisa” and “A Pigeon Sat on a Branch Refelecting on Existence” Are Nominated for 2016 Spirit Awards

November 25, 2015
Uncategorized
a pigeon sat on a branch reflecting on existence, anomalisa, charlie kaufman, duke johnson, film independent, roy andersson, spirit awards

It may not be a lot, but Anomalisa racked up 4 nominations.

Thought provoking dramas comprise the majority of this year’s field of nominees at The Film Independent Spirit Awards with such excellent entries as Spotlight and Diary of a Teenage Girl. 

However, comedies, albeit thought provoking ones, found their way in. 

Charlie Kaufman’s Anomalisa, which we have only heard praise for, is up for Best Feature, Best Director (w/Duke Johnson), Best Screenplay, and Best Female Lead (Jennifer Jason Leigh).

The brilliant Swedish existential comedy A Pigeon Sat on a Branch Reflecting on Existence from Roy Andersson is up for Best International Film.

You can the rest of the nominees here.

Hopefully, either or both will take home a statue to offer something not so sobering in the field of winners. The ceremony takes places at the end of February next year.

“Birdman” Wins at The Spirit Awards

February 22, 2015
Uncategorized
birdman, film independent, michael keaton, spirit awards

Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) won today at The Film Independent Spirit Awards, taking home two statues. 

Best Feature and Best Male Lead for Michael Keaton were the two categories that the film received honors for just a few hours ago. 

We’re not sure if this is a good omen or not for the several Oscar nominations that Birdman has, but we’re glad to see a comedy get some highly regarded recognition.

See the rest of The Spirit Awards winners here.

Kristen Bell and Fred Armisen to Host The Spirit Awards

January 14, 2015
Uncategorized
film independent, fred armisen, host, kristen bell, spirit awards

Did you hear? These fine people are co-hosting the Film Independent #SpiritAwards! Feb. 21. http://t.co/SlNcJrrP80 pic.twitter.com/RTEhghH6UY

— Film Independent (@filmindependent) January 14, 2015

The Film Independent Spirit Awards has been hosted by the likes of Patton Oswalt and Seth Rogen. They’re staying the wheelhouse with hosts as they’ve just landed Kristen Bell and Fred Armisen to oversee the awards ceremonies. 

Maybe, if we’re lucky, Bell will have to handle a sloth and Armisen will have to go head-to-head in an impression off with Bill Hader.

The Spirit Awards will air live on Feb. 21st at 2PM on IFC.

“Birdman” and “Obvious Child” Get Spirit Award Nominations

November 25, 2014
Uncategorized
alejandro gonzález iñárritu, birdman, film independent, jenny slate, nominations, obvious child, spirit awards

The awards season for movies are coming closer with plenty of speculation as to who the front runners are. Well, some suspicions and pull quotes have been confirmed with Film Independent’s Spirit Awards announced the nominees for 2015.

If you’ve been to the theaters lately, you’ll probably guess that the tone of the awards fare is pretty bleak, but Alejandro González Iñárritu’s Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) garnered six Spirit Award nominations including Best Feature, Best Director, Best Actor (Michael Keaton), Best Supporting Actor (Edward Norton), Best Supporting Actress (Emma Stone), and Best Cinematographer (Emmanuel Lubezki). 

The wonderful Jenny Slate also got a Best Actress nomination for her great performance in Obvious Child.

Everything else nominated was dramatic, gritty, heart wrenching, etc.

Patton Oswalt Is Putting a Live Bird on the 2014 Spirit Awards

February 15, 2014
Uncategorized
film independent, ifc, patton oswalt, portlandia, put a bird on it

Patton Oswalt Is Putting a Live Bird on the 2014 Spirit Awards

That’s right, Patton Oswalt will be giving out actual birds instead of statues for this year’s Spirit Awards.

All we have to say is that this could make for the best awards speeches of all time.

Recent News

divider

  • The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 276: Andy Sandford & Keeping Jokes as Tight Possible - Andy Sandford's philosophy of trimming all the fat from all his comedy has served him… Read More
  • The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 274: Spaghetti Festival & Sticking on the Wall (Together) - The Spaghetti Festival @ The Elysian represents a wholly rejuvenating spark of imagination and creativity… Read More
  • The Comedy Bureau Field Report Ep. 273: R.M. Aranda & Bringing Clown to All - The popularity of the corner of comedy that is clown continues to burgeon, especially in… Read More

Sign up For The Newsletter

Copyright © 2020 The Comedy Bureau
All rights reserved