Film Independent is moving the annual Spirit Awards to March 5, the Friday night before the Oscars.

The awards had been traditionally held on the Saturday afternoon before the Academy Awards, in relaxed get-together in a tent on the beach in Santa Monica.

This year is the Spirits’ 25th anniversary.

The ceremony marking the year’s best indie films will be aired live on IFC that night. No venue has been announced yet.

Film Independent Executive Director Dawn Hudson said: “In planning this year’s significant anniversary, we decided to venture away from our beloved day at the beach to a Friday evening where we hope an even broader audience discovers us as we kick-off the awards weekend.”

Spirit Award nominations will be announced December 1.

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