Santa Monica
LOOKOUT

By Jorge Casuso

May 9, 2025 -- Santa Monica -- once host to the Academy Awards -- has lost its second major film event in little over a year.

Film Independent announced Friday their Spirit Awards, founded in Santa Monica as the FINDIE or Friends of Independents Awards in 1984, will be held at the Hollywood Palladium next year.

The arts nonprofit noted in a press release that the moves comes as Santa Monica "undergoes some exciting renovations" but did not specify what those renovations are or if the awards will return to the city.

"We are excited to have the opportunity to reimagine the Spirit Awards experience during a moment of tremendous growth and transformation for our organization," Film Independent's acting president Brenda Robinson said in a statement.

"We are proud to continue to be a beacon for the bold and resilient independent storytelling community and to honor excellence in storytelling in all its forms."

The awards executive producer, Shawn Davis, said the move "represents our continued evolution while staying true to our roots of celebrating fearless independent voices of film and television."

Considered the premiere awards for independent films, the event takes place in a tent on the sand near the 85-year-old Pier bridge being rebuilt before the 2028 LA Olympics ("City Prepares to Rebuild Pier Bridge," November 1, 2024).

The Spirit awards draw international attention to the beach city and showcases films that are routinely nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars.

The announcement comes after the American Film Market (AFM) announced in March 2024 that it was moving to Las Vegas after 33 years in Santa Monica ("Santa Monica Loses Lucrative Film Market," March 10, 2024).

Santa Monica hosted the Academy Awards at the Civic Auditorium from 1961 to 1968.