The Film Independent Spirit Awards will screen live and for free at IPH on Saturday, Feb. 22. Before moving to Charlotte, IPH Board Chair Setu Raval worked with the Spirit Awards in Los Angeles. She gives us an inside peek into how films are nominated, what makes these awards special and her favorite awards-show moment.
What was your role with the Spirit Awards?
I started on the production team as a coordinator and nominee liaison, back in 2011. For the last couple of years I was there, I was associate director of nominations. I would put together nominating committees of film professionals, a mix of folks who worked in the industry and indie filmmakers. We had committees for narrative films, documentary, international films, in addition to awards that we would give out to emerging voices in the independent film community. I also facilitated the viewing process for them as they narrowed down the choices and voted on the films to be nominated.
It was a lot of fun. It is great to interact with people who love, live and breathe film. To see them come together, watch hundreds of films and think about what represents the year in independent films and voices, I found it fascinating.
Any memorable moments?
One of my absolute favorites was being inside the Spirit Awards tent in 2020, just weeks before the pandemic and days before moving home to North Carolina. I watched the Safdie brothers give their acceptance speech when winning best director for Uncut Gems. These are the kinds of acceptance speeches you see at the Spirit Awards. They are as good as the films!
At the 2014 awards, Setu is excited to be near Fruitvale Station nominee Michael B. Jordan
What would surprise people to know about award nominations?
People assume that all the award shows work similarly, that a small group of people make all the decisions. What is unique about the Spirit Awards is that the groups that nominate films and filmmakers change every year, so you get a fresh perspective. Another piece is that in addition to best feature, best director, best international film, there’s also an award for best breakthrough performance and a John Cassavetes Award for small-budget films. And they give out three grants each year, which are significant cash awards, to a first-time director, producer and documentary filmmaker. This distinguishes these awards from other ones — the commitment to finding new talent and encouraging it.
Are there any particular films or filmmakers you are rooting for this year?
What’s crazy is that a part of my job at the Spirit Awards was to watch hundreds of movies a year. These days I’m beyond behind in my movie watching. But I will say that one of my favorite, favorite films of the year is All We Imagine as Light.
I saw it at IPH, and it’s one of those movies you need to see in a theater, where you’re not distracted by modern life and can immerse yourself in this world, these characters and the textures of the film. Anora is a film I haven’t seen yet, but I’m excited because it’s Sean Baker, who received the Robert Altman Award for his film Starlet. He makes films that are provocative and exciting. He takes risks and is making films on his own terms. I’m really excited about him.
What’s it like to watch these awards in a cinema with other film lovers?
To be able to celebrate the year in film, to celebrate independent filmmakers together, you’re going to feel like you’re at the Spirit Awards. It’s going to be so much fun. We’ll have popcorn, we’ll have delicious beverages, and it’s such a fun and ridiculous show. Anything can happen. Instead of watching the highlights on your phone or watching it at home by yourself, I encourage our community to come out to the theater and have this joyful experience of celebrating the filmmakers that are pushing boundaries in a space that is pushing boundaries and building community. That’s so important for both filmmakers and film lovers here in Charlotte.
Join us for a free screening of the Film Independent Spirit Awards on Feb. 22! Click here for more details.