The organisation’s top brass announced on January 11 the recipients of the three Spirit Awards filmmaker grants at the annual Spirit Awards Nominee Brunch in Los Angeles.

Toby Halbrooks and James M Johnston received the Piaget Producers Award, which includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant funded by Piaget.

Jason Osder, director of Let The Fire Burn, received the Stella Artois Truer Than Fiction Award carrying a $25,000 unrestricted grant funded by Stella Artois.

Shaka King, director of Newlyweeds (pictured), received the Someone To Watch Award, which includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant.

“Supporting emerging film-makers is a cornerstone of our organisation’s mission,” said Film Independent president Josh Welsh. “These grants help ensure that their independent creativity can shine on. Congratulations to all the finalists and recipients.”