A small group of protestors managed to make quite a lot of noise during the 2024 Independent Spirit Awards on Sunday.
A group protesting the Israel-Hamas war were heard chanting, ‘Free Palestine,’ ‘Long Live Palestine’ and ‘Ceasefire now’ during the event, held at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica.
The small group were chanting through a megaphone outside the large tent where the awards ceremony was held.
The chants were heard throughout the red carpet festivities and were even heard inside while awards were being handed out.
Sources who were inside the tent also told The Hollywood Reporter that the protestors were, ‘very audible’ during the ceremony.
A small group of protestors managed to make quite a lot of noise during the 2024 Independent Spirit Awards on Sunday
The small group were chanting through a megaphone outside the large tent where the awards ceremony was held
Sources who were inside the tent also told The Hollywood Reporter that the protestors were, ‘very audible’ during the ceremony
Comedian Jim Gaffigan even struggled to talk over the various chants while he was presenting at the awards show.
Sources also added that a bus was intentionally placed in front of the protestors, in an effort to muffle their chants reaching the tent.
Host Aidy Bryant also referenced the protestors, stating, ‘We are at the beach and people are practicing their freedom of speech.’
A number of winners also mentioned the protestors in their speeches, including Babak Jalali while accepting the John Cassavetes Award.
‘There are people speaking outside, and whatever they’re saying, I think it’s far more important than what I’m about to say. I’m so inspired by what they’re saying outside, I can’t think of what I’m about to say,’ he said.
Showing Up director Kelly Reichart also addressed the protestors while accepting the Robert Altman Award, revealing the last time she saw Altman was in 2003 when America was attacking Iraq.
‘America was dropping bombs on Iraq at that time, and he was pissed. And I think he’d have a lot to say — just this weirdness of us being here and celebrating each other and our work. Life goes on outside the tent,’ she added.
The Film Independent Spirit Awards, Hollywood’s premiere event for the independent film and television community, is returning for its 39th annual celebration.
Host Aidy Bryant also referenced the protestors, stating, ‘We are at the beach and people are practicing their freedom of speech.’
A number of winners also mentioned the protestors in their speeches, including Babak Jalali while accepting the John Cassavetes Award
Showing Up director Kelly Reichart also addressed the protestors while accepting the Robert Altman Award, revealing the last time she saw Altman was in 2003 when America was attacking Iraq
Viewers can now tune in via livestream on YouTube , as it will no longer be available on television
Independent Spirit Awards 2024 Winners: AT A GLANCE
FILM
Best Feature: Past Lives
Best First Feature: A Thousand And One
Best Director: Celine Song for Past Lives
Best Screenplay: Cord Jefferson for American Fiction
Best Lead Performance: Jeffrey Wright for American Fiction
Best Supporting Performance: Da’Vine Joy Randolph for The Holdovers
Best Breakthrough Perforrmance: Dominic Sessa for The Holdovers
Best Cinematography: Eigil Bryld for The Holdovers
Best Documentary: Four Daughters
Best International Film: Anatomy Of A Fall
TELEVISION
Best New Scripted Series: Beef
Best Lead Performance in a New Scripted Series: Ali Wong for BEEF
Best Supporting Performance in a New Scripted Series – Nick Offerman for The Last Of Us
Best Breakthrough Peformance in a New Scripted Series – Keivonn Montreal Woodard for The Last of Us
Best Ensemble Cast in a New Scripted Series: Jury Duty
Best New Non-Scripted or Documentary Series: Dear Mama
Ali Wong earned best lead actress and helped Beef earn new scipted series
Saturday Night Live star Aidy Bryant will be hosting the soiree, set to take place in Santa Monica, California.
Viewers can now tune in via livestream on YouTube, as it will no longer be available on television.
Nominations were announced back in December, with American Fiction, May December, and Past Lives leading the pack with five nods each.
All of Us, American Fiction, May December, Passages, Past Lives, and We Grown Now will all be competing for Best Feature, one of the biggest categories of the evening.
A host of A-listers are up for nominations, including Natalie Portman, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, and more.
