Comedians Kate Berlant and John Early are bringing their signature brand of comedy to the Independent Spirit Awards. Film Independent announced on Wednesday that the pair will host the 2027 ceremony.
“If there’s one thing we don’t need, it’s another predictable awards show,” said Juan Devis, President of Film Independent. “Kate and John are two of the funniest, strangest and most brilliantly unpredictable performers working today. They embody everything we love about independent storytelling: originality, fearlessness and a healthy disregard for convention. We’re excited to shake things up, break a few rules and have some fun along the way.”
“We’ve always been obsessed with awards shows, and we’re so honored we get to host the coolest one. Tune in to see if we choke under pressure!” Berlant and Early said in a joint statement.
Film Independent previously announced it would add two new categories to the Spirit Awards: Best International First Feature and the Digital Creator Award. The organization also announced that the Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale) will become a qualifying festival for film eligibility.
Back in June, the Spirits announced a new award inspired by the filmmaking and advocacy of the late Robert Redford. Here’s everything to know about the Robert Redford Environmental Vision Award and the upcoming Spirit Awards.
THE DATE
The 42nd Film Independent Spirit Awards ceremony will take place on March 6, 2027.
THE SUBMISSIONS
Spirit Awards submissions opened on Aug. 18, followed by jury committee meetings and deliberations from September to October. Nominees will be announced in early December.
On Oct. 29, the organization announced that filmmaker Roman Coppola will serve as a creative consultant for the 2027 ceremony, working alongside Film Independent’s production team to shape the event’s tone, visual identity, and overall experience.
NEW CATEGORIES
With the addition of Best International First Feature and the Digital Creator Award, the Spirits are branching out in an effort to be more relevant both outside the United States and in the burgeoning social media space.
“Independent storytelling has never been confined to a single format, platform or geography, and neither should the Spirit Awards,” said Juan Devis, the president of Film Independent. “These new categories reflect the broader creative ecosystem we’re building at Film Independent — one that supports bold, original storytellers, from emerging digital creators to first-time international filmmakers. They reaffirm our commitment to discovering and championing new voices throughout their creative journey, and a future for independent film as exciting as its past.”
ROBERT REDFORD AWARD
This year’s lineup introduces the Robert Redford Environmental Vision Award, a new honor celebrating a qualifying American narrative film or television project that intersects with environmental themes. Eligible films may address a range of environmental issues, including innovation, environmental justice, climate change, Indigenous and ancestral knowledge, and efforts to protect and restore natural resources.
The inaugural recipient will be announced alongside the Spirit Awards nominations in December and presented during the live ceremony in March.
“We are thrilled to partner with the Redford Center to launch the Robert Redford Environmental Vision Award, celebrating the power of independent filmmakers to inspire hope and real action through storytelling. This award aligns with our mission to champion bold, innovative voices that challenge and redefine how we engage with the world’s most pressing issues,” said Shawn Davis, the executive producer of the Spirit Awards.
This story was first published on Aug. 18 and updated on Nov. 11.
