2018 FILM INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS TO STREAM LIVE ON FACEBOOK WATCH

IFC AND FILM INDEPENDENT PARTNER WITH FACEBOOK TO PROVIDE FANS WITH EXCLUSIVE ACCESS AND ADDITIONAL CONTENT

Ceremony Presenters Include Chadwick Boseman, Timothée Chalamet, Ava DuVernay, Kumail Nanjiani, Margot Robbie, Lena Waithe and More

NEW YORK - March 2, 2018 - Today, Film Independent, the nonprofit arts organization that produces the Spirit Awards, and IFC announced, in partnership with Facebook, that the 2018 Film Independent Spirit Awards will be live streamed on Facebook Watch. The show, hosted by Nick Kroll and John Mulaney, will air live simultaneously on IFC and the Film Independent Spirit Awards show page on Facebook Watch on Saturday, March 3 at 2:00 pm PT / 5:00 pm ET.

Live stream coverage kicks off on the Film Independent Spirit Awards show page on Facebook Watch with interviews on the Spirit Awards' blue carpet presented by AT&T. The partnership extends throughout the day on Facebook and Instagram with arrivals highlights and Spirit Awards' moments.

During the live show's commercial breaks, the community viewing the Spirit Awards on Facebook Watch will see celebrity "VIP-Pee" interviews held outside the venue's backstage bathrooms. Fans will be able to interact with talent at both the "VIP-Pee" and the arrivals blue carpet by commenting during the Facebook Live.

2018 marks the 33rd year of the awards that celebrate the best in independent film with the show having aired on IFC for more than two decades. Joel Gallen of Tenth Planet Productions returns for his fourth year as executive producer and director, producer Shawn Davis returns for his 16th show. Danielle Federico and Andrew Schaff will be co-producing the awards.

The full list of presenters for the 2018 ceremony includes: Fred Armisen, Chadwick Boseman, Alison Brie, Carrie Brownstein, Timothée Chalamet, John Cho, Jason Clarke, Zoey Deutch, Ava DuVernay, Beanie Feldstein, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Danai Gurira, Jon Hamm, Ethan Hawke, Lil Rel Howery, Spike Lee, Ben Mendelsohn, Janelle Mon�e, Kumail Nanjiani, Elizabeth Olsen, Robert Pattinson, Salma Hayek Pinault, Margot Robbie, Amanda Seyfried, Molly Shannon, Sarah Silverman, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Lena Waithe. Sunflower Bean will be the house band during the event.

The Spirit Awards is also the primary fundraiser for Film Independent's year-round programs, which cultivate the careers of emerging filmmakers and promote inclusion in the industry. To learn more about attending Film Independent events, including the Spirit Awards, go to filmindependent.org/artscircle.

ABOUT THE FILM INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS

Now in its 33rd year, the Film Independent Spirit Awards is an annual celebration honoring artist-driven films made with an economy of means by filmmakers whose films embody independence and originality. The Spirit Awards recognizes the achievements of American independent filmmakers and promotes the finest independent films of the year to a wider audience. The Film Independent Spirit Awards are sponsored by Premier Sponsors American Airlines, AT&T, IFC and the Jeep brand; Principal Sponsors Piaget and Visit Seattle; and Supporting Sponsor Truly Spiked & Sparkling. Bulleit Frontier Whiskey is the Official Spirit. FIJI Water is the Official Water. Landmark Vineyards is the Official Wine. Getty Images is the Official Photographer.

ABOUT FACEBOOK WATCH

Facebook Watch is a place to discover and enjoy shows on Facebook. Home to a wide range of shows - from scripted comedy and drama, to competition and reality series, to individual creators and live sports - Facebook Watch is a video platform where episodic content, community and conversation come together. This is a personalized viewing experience, where you can discover new series based on what your friends are watching, and catch up on the shows you follow. Facebook Watch is available for free on mobile apps across Apple and Android, on desktop, laptop and on TV apps listed here: https://videoapp.fb.com/.

ABOUT FILM INDEPENDENT

Film Independent is a nonprofit arts organization that champions creative independence in visual storytelling and supports a community of artists who embody diversity, innovation and uniqueness of vision. Film Independent helps filmmakers make their movies, builds an audience for their projects, and works to diversify the film industry. Film Independent's Board of Directors, filmmakers, staff and constituents is comprised of an inclusive community of individuals across ability, age, ethnicity, gender, race and sexual orientation. Anyone passionate about film can become a Member, whether you are a filmmaker, industry professional or a film lover. In addition to producing the Spirit Awards, Film Independent produces the LA Film Festival and Film Independent at LACMA Film Series, a year-round, weekly program that offers unique cinematic experiences for the Los Angeles creative community and the general public. With over 250 annual screenings and events, Film Independent provides access to a network of like-minded artists who are driving creativity in the film industry. Film Independent's Artist Development program offers free Labs for selected writers, directors, producers and documentary filmmakers and presents year- round networking opportunities. Project Involve is Film Independent's signature program dedicated to fostering the careers of talented filmmakers from communities traditionally underrepresented in the film industry. For more information or to become a Member, visit filmindependent.org.

ABOUT IFC

IFC is the home of offbeat, unexpected comedies. Series Portlandia, Stan Against Evil, Baroness von Sketch Show, Documentary Now! and Brockmire air alongside fan-favorite movies and comedic cult TV shows. IFC is owned and operated by AMC Networks Inc., and available across multiple platforms. IFC is Always On, Slightly Off.