THE FILM INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS HONORS INDEPENDENT FILMMAKERS AND IS HELD UNDER A BIG WHITE TENT BY THE BEACH IN SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA. NOMINEES, PRESENTERS, AND CELEBRITIES WALK DOWN THE “BLUE CARPET” AND THE FASHIONS AND TALENT ARE AS UNIQUE, CREATIVE AND AMAZING AS THE FILMS AND TV SHOWS THEY NOMINATE AND AWARD. THIS YEAR THINGS WERE A BIT DIFFERENT AS THEY DID AWAY WITH “GENDER SPECIFIC CATEGORIES” REPLACING BEST ACTOR/ACTRESS AND SUPPORTING ACTOR/ACTRESS WITH COMBINED GENDER-NEUTRAL CATEGORIES MAKING THE COMPETITION EVEN STIFFER. SOMEONE JOKED “ I NOT ONLY HAVE TO BE UP AGAINST CATE BLANCHETT BUT THE AMAZING MALE ACTORS AS WELL!” See the below photo of Cate walking down the “Blue Carpet” during the arrivals portion of The Spirit Awards: 
In 2020 Film Independent created a NEW category honoring the best new performances and shows in TV as well as film. Many talented actors and celebs from Film & TV attended the event.
The Spirit Awards has always had a high percent of actors and movies that would go on to win the Academy Award, as many of the actors present have already won many other major awards, and are already nominated for the Oscar!
It was a star-studded Red Carpet- that is actually Blue since we are right on the beach, right by the Ocean Blue! There were over 70 celebrities that were there in person- a “who’s – who” of the Movie & TV world, that were there for awards for Actors, Directors, Producers, Movies, Docs, and TV. In this show you can see interviews with some of these actors, done by our TV Show Host: Margie Rey, and Entertainment News Reporter: Jacqueline Murphy, who is also an Actress, Filmmaker, TV Host Reporter, and Journalist, and who wrote most of this story, and provided most of the photos. See the below photo of Jamie Lee Curtis walking down the “Blue Carpet” and being interviewed by our reporters, during the arrivals portion of The Spirit Awards: 
Below are some highlights from the show:
The son of the late John Ritter – Actor: Jason Ritter after our interview with him on the blue carpet. He is in the black suit with a black tie, second from the right of the photo:
Jennifer Chang, Margie Rey, “Pachinko” Star: Steve Sanghyun Noh and Jacqueline Murphy. “Pachinko” received the award for best ensemble, cast in a new script at series: 
Margie Rey, Patricia Arquette and Jacqueline Murphy: 
Margie Rey, Patricia Arquette, Jacqueline Murphy and Steve Taylor: 
Margie Rey, Effie T. Brown, producer nominated for Best First Feature “The Inspection” and Jacqueline Murphy: 
Margie Rey, Sheryl Lee Ralph nominated for the Film Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Performance in a New Scripted Series “Abbott Elementary” and Jacqueline Murphy: 
Margie Rey, Director: Sarah Polley & Jacqueline Murphy. Sarah Polley’s film “Women Talking” received the “Robert Altman award” given to one film’s Director, Casting Director Ensemble cast- including Rooney Mara and Judith Ivy. Sarah Polley is pictured below:
In the below photo is Margie, Steve, and Jacqueline with (in the red dress): Michaela Jae-Rodriguez, who is a Golden Globe & Emmy Award Winner, and who is also on SNL – Saturday Night Live: 
In the below photo is Margie, Jacqueline, Steve with Ebon Moss-Bachrach who was nominated for the Supporting Actor Award for his role of “Richie” on “The Bear”. Ebon is in a Black Tux, with a Black Tie, second from the left of the photo:
It was a great show that was shown during a sit down lunch, and right after the show we were able to talk to the celebrities and Spirit Award Winners:
Jacqueline Murphy and Michelle Yeoh winner of Best Lead Performance at the Film Independent Spirit awards film “Everything Everywhere All at Once” :
Jacqueline Murphy (& in the photo below that- Steve Taylor) and Ke Huy Quan winner of Best Supprting Performance at the Film Independent Spirit awards for “Everything Everywhere All at Once” : 
“Women Talking” received the “Robert Altman award” given to one film’s Director, Casting Director Ensemble cast- including Actress: Rooney Mara and Judith Ivy and Director: Sarah Polley. Rooney Mara is pictured below with Jacqueline Murphy during the show: 
Quinta Brunson won the Film Independent Spirit Award for Best Lead Performance in a New Scripted Series she created! “Abbott Elementary” with Jacqueline Murphy (& in the photo below that- Steve Taylor) :
Jacqueline Murphy (& in the photo below that- Steve Taylor) and Jonathan Wang, producer & Winner of Best Feature at the Film Independent Spirit awards for “Everything Everywhere All at Once” : 
It was a real pleasure to interview on the red carpet, and then after the show talk to: W. Kamau Bell, the Producer of the Documentary: “We Need to Talk About Cosby”. He is posing with Steve, and then below that Jacqueline in the below photos: 
In the below Photos Steve, and then Jacqueline got to talk to: Todd Field – The Producer of “Ta’r” : 
In the Below Photo Jacqueline got to talk to: Reid Davenport, who was nominated for the Truer Than Fiction Award for “I Didn’t See You There” : 
The amazing after-party was held at the iconic Carousel as you can see in the below photo. The Carousel ride has been around since 1950 on the Santa Monica Pier! 
The After-Party is held immediately after the Awards Show- and this year again it was held right next door on the Santa Monica Pier – at the historic Carousel Ride (see above photo) Amusement area at the start of the pier. It is a very exclusive invite only party that 90% of the member ticket holders do NOT get invited to, even after spending a lot of money ($1500) on the ticket after winning a lottery for the right to buy the tickets. There are about 1000 seats in the showroom, and only about 100 get to attend this amazing party! The Carousel has been on the pier since 1950, and is an iconic attraction, and a very unique place to hold a party for some people that were dressed in Tuxes, and very dressy outfits:
They had great food and drinks, that was served, and an authentic Shake & Malt Shop, were I was lucky to have the classic “Colossal Carousel” Ice-cream dessert – that was GIGANTIC! We again were able to talk to the celebrities and award winners, and they were all so happy to pose for photos with us, as you can see below. You could ride on any horse you wanted on the Carousel ride, and get your photo taken in the Spirit Awards Photo booth, that you see on the left. It was a very special day, and a great experience that truly was “Living the Dream!”
Jacqueline Murphy with Dan Erickson nominated Creator/ executive producer of “Severance” nominated for Best New Scripted Series at the Film Independent Spirit Awards, at The After-Party on the Santa Monica Pier – at the historic Carousel:
Judith Ivy was an actress in Director Sarah Polley’s film “Women Talking” that received the “Robert Altman award” given to one film’s Director, Casting Director Ensemble cast– including Rooney Mara: and Judith Ivy pictured in the below photo at the after-party with Jacqueline Murphy.
Jacqueline Murphy and Jonathan Tucker nominated actor for “Palm Springs and Wires” at the after party held at the Santa Monica Pier Carousel. A great time was had by all! : 
