Film Independent, the nonprofit organisation dedicated to fostering independence and inclusivity in visual storytelling, announced this morning that acclaimed comedian Hasan Minhaj will bring his incisive and nuanced humour to the 2023 Film Independent Spirit Awards as the show’s host. Winners will be revealed in-person on March 4th in Santa Monica and will be streamed live on IMDb and across other social platforms, including Film Independent’s YouTube channel, at 2 p.m. PST.
“With his unparalleled ability to bring both humor and perception to the issues around us, Hasan Minhaj is the ideal host to help us celebrate these independent artists” said Josh Welsh, president of Film Independent. “We can’t wait to see what surprises he has in store for the Spirit Awards on March 4th.”
An award-winning comedian, Hasan Minhaj is best known for his breakout standup special Homecoming King, which focused on his immigrant experience, and his critically acclaimed, political satire show Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj, which explored modern cultural and political issues and was honoured with a Peabody Award, an Emmy Award and a Television Academy Honor. His second one-hour comedy special, The King’s Jester, recently premiered on Netflix to great acclaim. In addition to his standup specials, Hasan was a senior correspondent at The Daily Show with Jon Stewart from 2014 through 2018 and headlined the 2017 White House Correspondents’ Dinner. He’s the co-founder and chief executive officer for 186K Films, which is currently producing its first feature film, For The Culture, with Hasan starring and serving as co-writer with Prashanth Venkataramanujam. Other films and tv shows Hasan has appeared in include The Spy Who Dumped Me and The Morning Show.
Past Spirit Awards hosts have included Megan Mullaly and Nick Offerman, Melissa Villaseñor, Aubrey Plaza, Nick Kroll and John Mulaney, Kate McKinnon and Kumail Nanjiani, Fred Armisen and Kristen Bell, Patton Oswalt, Andy Samberg, Rainn Wilson, Joel McHale, Sarah Silverman, Samuel L. Jackson, Queen Latifah and John Waters, just to name a few.
The Spirit Awards is the nonprofit art organization’s primary fundraiser for its year-round slate of programs, which cultivate the careers of emerging filmmakers and promote diversity and inclusion across the film industry. The show will mark Film Independent’s first collaboration with Emmy Award-winning producer Eddie Delbridge of Live Digital Entertainment, an industry leader who has produced events such as The Critics’ Choice Awards, The MET Gala Live! and The Macy’s Parade 360 Live. Shawn Davis is returning for his 21st year with the Spirit Awards, as executive producer. Also returning are producers Danielle Federico and Andrew Schaff.
Film Independent Spirit Awards are supported by Principal Partner IMDb and Official Partners Bulleit Frontier Whiskey, FIJI Water and GreenSlate. The Official Hotel is Hotel Casa del Mar. Getty Images is the Official Photographer.
