Film Independent, the nonprofit arts organization that produces the Spirit Awards and the LA Film Festival, announced that Nick Kroll (Loving, Sing, The League, Kroll Show) and John Mulaney ("Oh, Hello On Broadway," Documentary Now!, Saturday Night Live) will co-host the 2017 show on Saturday, February 25. The awards ceremony will be broadcast live exclusively on IFC at 2 pm PT/ 5 pm ET. The Awards are the primary fundraiser for Film Independent’s year-round programs, which cultivate the careers of emerging filmmakers and promote diversity in the industry. Past Spirit Awards hosts have included Kate McKinnon and Kumail Nanjiani, Fred Armisen and Kristen Bell, Patton Oswalt, Andy Samberg, Joel McHale, Sarah Silverman, Samuel L. Jackson, Eddie Izzard, Queen Latifah and John Waters to name a few.
Kroll is an actor, writer, producer and stand-up comedian. He is the creator and star of the critically acclaimed series, Kroll Show, which aired for three seasons on Comedy Central. Kroll co-starred as ‘Ruxin’ in the hit FXX series, The League. He has guest starred on shows including New Girl, Parks and Recreation, Community and Children’s Hospital. Some of his film credits include Seth Rogen’s Sausage Party, My Blind Brother, Joshy, Vacation, Date Night, Get Him to the Greek and A Good Old Fashioned Orgy. He is currently staring in Loving and in the rave-reviewed Broadway production of "Oh, Hello on Broadway," which he created and wrote alongside John Mulaney. He will next be seen in Illumination’s Sing and New Line’s The House.
Mulaney is an Emmy® Award winning writer and comedian. He currently stars in the hit Broadway show, "Oh, Hello on Broadway" which he wrote and produces with co-star Kroll. He most recently released The Comeback Kid, a Netflix Original and his 3rd one-hour stand up special, which received an Emmy® nomination (Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special). In 2008 he began working at Saturday Night Live where he appeared as a “Weekend Update” correspondent and co-created characters such as “Stefon” with Bill Hader. He currently writes for IFC’s Documentary Now and for Netflix’s Big Mouth, on which he voices the character of Andrew.
This year marks the 32nd edition of the awards show that celebrates the best of independent film. Joel Gallen of Tenth Planet Productions returns for his third year as executive producer, producer Shawn Davis returns for his 15th show. Danielle Federico and Andrew Schaff will be co-producing the awards.
Jean Smart, Ariana Grande, Michael Keaton among hosts for “SNL” season 50
Fresh off her Emmys win, Jean Smart will kick off the landmark 50th season of "Saturday Night Live."
NBC on Thursday announced the lineup of hosts for the season, which premieres Sept. 28. Joining Smart on the first show will be Jelly Roll as the musical act. He was also at the Emmys, singing during the ceremony's in memoriam segment.
It will be Smart's first time hosting "SNL."
Comedian Nate Bargatze will host on Oct. 5, with Coldplay as the musical guest.
Ariana Grande will host Oct. 12, with musical guest Stevie Nicks.
"Beetlejuice" star Michael Keaton will host on Oct. 19, the last show before Halloween, and Billie Eilish will be that night's musical guest.
The host on Nov. 2 will be "SNL" alum John Mulaney, with breakout sensation Chappell Roan as the music guest.
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