Spirit Awards Voting Membership Deadline is Tomorrow…Here’s Why It’s An Incredible Deal
Film Independent announced their nominations for the 2025 Spirit Awards earlier this month, and as they do every year, are offering their members the chance to vote on the winners. We are not affiliated with Film Independent, nor do we get any kind of incentive for driving memberships. You know why we’re posting about this? Because we think it’s an incredible deal and worthwhile cause.
But time is running out to become a member in time for this year’s awards. The deadline to join Film Independent as a member eligible for 2024 Spirit Awards voting privileges and benefits is December 18, 2024.
Here’s a breakdown why we think it’s worth it:
What is Film Independent?
Film Independent’s mission is to champion creative independence in visual storytelling in all its forms, and to foster a culture of inclusion. They support a global community of artists and audiences who embody diversity, innovation, curiosity and uniqueness of vision.
They produce the Film Independent Spirit Awards, recognizing the finest achievements of American independent filmmakers.
Their Artist Development programs provide labs for selected writers, directors, producers and documentary filmmakers and offer year-round networking opportunities. Project Involve is their signature program dedicated to fostering the careers of talented filmmakers from communities traditionally underrepresented in the film industry.
What are the Membership Levels and Benefits?
General Membership
Starting at just $105/year, a General Membership includes exclusive Film Independent Spirit Awards voting privileges, access to free year-round screenings, film education and networking events, as well as extended Labs & Programs submission deadlines.
Film Lover Membership
Take your love of film to the next level with a Film Lover Membership ($250/year). Enjoy perks tailored to the die-hard cinephile and exclusive access to the official Spirit Awards Viewing Party, along with all General Membership benefits.
Filmmaker Pro Membership
If you’re a working filmmaker, elevate your film project by becoming a Filmmaker Pro Member ($250/year). You’ll enjoy free casting services, waived submissions fees, project consultation and all General Membership benefits.
What are the Voter Benefits for Film Independent Members?
Special screening privileges are available to voting Members during Spirit Awards season. Film Independent strives to provide an equitable opportunity for all nominated films to be seen. Here’s how:
Nominee Screening Room
During the voting consideration period, Members can stream nominated films/series on their preferred devices, via their Nominee Screening Room portal.
Awards Season Experiences
Members receive special invitations* to a variety of awards season experiences highlighting nominated films/series and more. From exclusive virtual Q&As to special screenings and events, you’ll revel in this celebratory time of year.
* Offered at the discretion of each nominee; subject to event capacity/availability
How Does the Nominee Screening Room Work?
Film Independent partners with Vision Media to provide secure online streaming of participating titles. The Screening Room can be accessed via Apple TV and Roku devices, as well as online.
For security purposes, your name will be both visibly watermarked in the upper left corner of the screen and forensically watermarked on each title you watch.
Screeners will likely be available starting December 28th, 2024, through the voting period, which ends on February 13th, 2025.
How to Vote
Spirit Awards voting takes place entirely online. Eligible voters will have the opportunity to begin casting ballots in the weeks prior to the awards ceremony. Ballots (one per eligible voter) are cast via a secure third-party website and tabulated by Integrity Voting Systems.
Voters are strongly encouraged to vote only for nominees in categories in which they have seen ALL nominated films or television episodes. Ballots will still be valid if a category is skipped.
Which Titles Will be Available to Stream in the Screen Room Portal?
While nothing is finalized and studios participate at their discretion, titles could include:
All We Imagine As Light
Between the Temples
Black Dog
The Brutalist
Dìdi
A Different Man
The Fire Inside
Flow
Ghostlight
Good One
Green Border
Hard Truths
Heretic
I Saw the TV Glow
Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell
Janet Planet
Jazzy
La Cocina
Love Lies Bleeding
My Old Ass
National Anthem
Nickel Boys
Nightbitch
The Piano Lesson
Problemista
A Real Pain
September 5
Sing Sing
Soundtrack to a Coup d'Etat
That Feeling That the Time for Doing Something Has Passed
Thelma
So for a $105 membership, you’ll have access to a huge number of films that are either not yet available for streaming, or can only be rented or purchased on VOD/Digital. For film lovers looking to catch up on all the great 2024 films, this is a steal. Plus you’ll be supporting a terrific organization that helps and celebrates independent filmmaking.
You can sign up here. But hurry, the deadline to join Film Independent as a member eligible for 2024 Spirit Awards voting privileges and benefits is December 18, 2024.
The show, which will be held at the beach in Santa Monica, will be streamed live on Saturday, February 22, 2025 on the IMDb and Film Independent YouTube channels, and across social platforms.
