Org announced in August that the date was shifting as well. Event will be held at 8 p.m. March 5, two days before the Oscars, meaning the show has transitioned from its traditional daytime affair into a nighttime event.

The move is a big shift, both in physical terms and for the vibe of the Spirits, which have been held on the beach for the past 15 years on the Saturday before the Oscars.

Tent will be located on top of a parking lot behind the Nokia Theater. Much of the backstage goings-on for the Emmys are also held there, including housing a press room and interview areas, so many of the electronic necessities are already available.

Dawn Hudson, exec director for Film Independent, said the switch was made in order to give a higher profile to both the awards' 25th anni and to the indie film community.

"We wanted to call attention to the show and celebrate in a way that's big," she told Daily Variety.

Moving to the evening allows TV viewers to connect more to independent film, said actress Laura Dern, chair of the 25th Spirit Awards event committee.

Dern also added that heading east to Downtown L.A. makes sense because the revitalized area is a "kindred spirit." As far keeping the show relaxed and "anti-Oscars" -- Dern said the kudos would remain casual. Attendees are still encouraged to arrive in jeans rather than a tux or elegant dress.

Cabler IFC will once again televise the two-hour show, as it has since 1998. With the nighttime start, however, festivities won't begin until 11 p.m. for East Coast viewers.

For the first time, Dick Clark Prods. is on board to exec produce, replacing Diana Zahn-Storey. Shingle already produces the Golden Globes, American Music Awards and Academy of Country Music Awards, as well as Fox reality staple "So You Think You Can Dance." Also exec producing is Jamie McGurk.

Eligible features for Spirit Awards must be at least 70 minutes long and cost under $20 million.

Nominations are announced Dec. 1.