Film Independent announced that Nick Kroll (Big Mouth, Operation Finale, Uncle Drew) and John Mulaney (Kid Gorgeous, "Oh, Hello on Broadway," Big Mouth) are signing on for the second year in a row to co-host the 2018 Spirit Awards which will be broadcast live on IFC Saturday, March 3 at 2pm PT/5pm ET. The Spirit 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.
“The only thing better than having Nick Kroll and John Mulaney host the Spirit Awards is having them host the Spirit Awards twice,” said Film Independent president Josh Welsh. “They did such an amazing job last year and we’re thrilled to have them back in 2018.”
“From the minute Nick and John opened last year’s show, which went instantly viral, we knew we wanted them back to host this year,” said Jennifer Caserta, president, IFC. “These two talented multi-hyphenates knocked it out of the park last year and we can’t wait to see what they have planned for this year.”
Kroll is an actor, writer and producer. He most recently co-created and voices numerous roles on the Netflix smash hit animated series Big Mouth. He recently wrapped productions on MGM’s Operation Finale opposite Oscar Isaac and Ben Kingley, and Lionsgate’s Uncle Drew. In January 2017, he wrapped his Broadway debut with the critical and financial hit "Oh, Hello on Broadway" alongside Mulaney. Recent film credits include Jeff Nichols’ critically acclaimed film Loving, Seth Rogen’s Sausage Party and Illumination’s Sing. Kroll had his own Comedy Central sketch series Kroll Show and starred as Ruxin in the hit FX show The League.
Mulaney is an Emmy Award-winning writer and comedian. He is currently touring the United States with his most recent show, Kid Gorgeous. In 2015 Mulaney released his 3rd hour stand up special, a Netflix Original titled The Comeback Kid. He began his career in New York’s East Village and has since toured around the world. In 2008, he began writing 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. Mulaney’s first comedy album, The Top Part, was released in 2009. He released his second Comedy Central special and album New In Town in 2012.
Previously announced, Lily Collins (To The Bone, Rules Don’t Apply, Okja) and Tessa Thompson (Dear White People, Creed, Thor: Ragnarok) will co-host the press conference announcing the nominees of the Spirit Awards on Tuesday, November 21, at the Jeremy Hotel in West Hollywood.
This year marks the 33rd edition of the awards show that celebrates the best of independent film. 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. The show, which will be held on the beach in Santa Monica, will be executive produced and directed by Joel Gallen of Tenth Planet Productions for the fourth consecutive year. Shawn Davis returns as producer for his 16th year and Danielle Federico and Andrew Schaff also return as co-producers.
California governor signs law to protect children from social media addiction
California will make it illegal for social media platforms to knowingly provide addictive feeds to children without parental consent beginning in 2027 under a new law Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Friday.
California follows New York state, which passed a law earlier this year allowing parents to block their kids from getting social media posts suggested by a platform's algorithm. Utah has passed laws in recent years aimed at limiting children's access to social media, but they have faced challenges in court.
The California law will take effect in a state home to some of the largest technology companies in the world. Similar proposals have failed to pass in recent years, but Newsom signed a first-in-the-nation law in 2022 barring online platforms from using users' personal information in ways that could harm children. It is part of a growing push in states across the country to try to address the impacts of social media on the well-being of children.
"Every parent knows the harm social media addiction can inflict on their children — isolation from human contact, stress and anxiety, and endless hours wasted late into the night," Newsom said in a statement. "With this bill, California is helping protect children and teenagers from purposely designed features that feed these destructive habits."
The law bans platforms from sending notifications without permission from parents to minors between 12 a.m. and 6 a.m., and between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. on weekdays from September through May, when children are typically in school. The legislation also makes platforms set children's accounts to private by default.
Opponents of the legislation say it could inadvertently prevent adults from accessing content if they cannot verify their... Read More