Patton Oswalt has been chosen to host the 2014 Film Independent Spirit Awards, Film Independent president Josh Welsh said Tuesday.
The comedian and “Observe and Report” actor follows in the footsteps of former “Saturday Night Live” funnyman Andy Samberg, who hosted the 2013 festivities.
The 2014 ceremony will take place as a luncheon in Santa Monica on March 1, and will premiere exclusively on IFC that night at 10 p.m.
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“Patton is an incredibly talented writer, actor and comedian whose irreverent humor is the perfect fit for our show,” executive producer Diana Zahn-Storey said of the choice. “We couldn’t be more thrilled that he will be hosting the 2014 Film Independent Spirit Awards.”
Noting that Oswalt is a “card holding member” of Film Independent, Welsh added that he “can’t wait” to see how Oswalt will fulfill his hosting duties.
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“Patton has been a long supporter of our organization, he has participated in several Film Independent Live Reads at LACMA and is also a card holding member of the organization,” Welsh said. “I can’t wait to see what he has in store for us at the Awards show in March.”
Oswalt appears in the upcoming big-screen adaptation of “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty,” alongside Ben Affleck.