Could Film Independent's Spirit Awards upstage all the others in 2008? If the Writers Guild of America's strike holds through the first part of the year, and no other awards show receives a waiver, that may be the case.

Film Independent, the nonprofit organization that sponsors the Spirit Awards, has kept close ties with the WGA over the years. WGA confirmed last week that the organization approached the union before the strike in hopes of receiving a waiver, should the strike occur.

WGA was quick to add that no other waivers would be granted. "The best way to get the awards season back on track is for the AMPTP to return to the bargaining table to negotiate a fair deal with the Writers Guild to get this town back to work," the WGA said in an official statement.

Granting the waiver could provide important leverage for the WGA in its dispute with the Alliance of Motion Picture & Television Producers (AMPTP), the group representing the studios in the on-again, off-again contract negotiations. Because major TV networks are heavily invested in the awards shows, they could pressure AMPTP to get negotiations back on track in time for keeping the Academy Awards and other shows on schedule.

The 2008 Spirit Awards will be televised live and without commercial interruption by the Independent Film Channel (IFC) on Feb. 23, 2008 -- the day before the Academy Awards are still tentatively scheduled to be broadcast. An edited version will be broadcast on AMC the same day. The show is notorious for its informality -- it's held on the Santa Monica beach, under a tent -- as well as its R-rated content. Expect writers to make their case during the proceedings.
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