Aubrey Plaza will host the 2019 Film Independent Spirit Awards, Film Independent announced on Tuesday.
On Nov. 16, “Crazy Rich Asians” star Gemma Chan and “Private Life” star Molly Shannon announced this year’s nominees at a press conference. Best Feature nominees include “Eighth Grade,” “First Reformed,” “If Beale Street Could Talk” and “Leave No Trace.”
The 2019 Film Independent Spirit Awards will take place on Feb. 23, 2019, and will be broadcast exclusively on IFC at 2 p.m. PT.
“I am truly honored and delighted to host the Spirits Awards this year,” said Plaza. “It is a dream come true to host a show that celebrates my greatest loves… independent film, the people that make them possible and live television!”
“The search for a great Spirit Awards host is never easy,” added Film Independent president Josh Welsh. “This year we said, let’s find someone funny, smart, a cinephile, being a great actor wouldn’t hurt, and it would be an added bonus if they’ve previously won a Spirit Award. Then we realized, oh wait, that’s Aubrey Plaza! So thank you Aubrey, for hosting the Spirits!”
Most recently, Plaza starred opposite Elizabeth Olsen in “Ingrid Goes West,” which Plaza also produced,” as well as Jeff Baena’s “The Little Hours” and Jim Hosking’s “An Evening with Beverly Luff Lin.” She currently stars in FX’s “Legion” and will next be seen in Lars Klevberg’s remake of “Child’s Play” opposite Brian Tyree Henry.
This year marks the 34th edition of the awards show, which celebrates the very best of independent film. Past Spirit Awards hosts include Nick Kroll and John Mulaney, Kate McKinnon and Kumail Nanjiani, Andy Samberg, Sarah Silverman, Samuel L. Jackson and Queen Latifah. Joel Gallen of Tenth Planet Production will executive produce and direct for the fifth consecutive year. Shawn Davis returns as producer for his 17th year, while Rick Austin will produce for his fourth year in a row. Danielle Federico and Andrew Schaff return as co-producers.