The 2026 Film Independent Spirit Awards marked its 41st year with an extravagant ceremony held on Sunday, February 15!
For the first time after years in Santa Monica, California the event took place at the historic Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, California and was streamed live via Film Independent, IMDb’s YouTube channels, and various social platforms.
As the primary fundraiser for Film Independent, the Spirit Awards support year-round programs that cultivate emerging filmmakers and celebrate diversity, innovation, and creative independence. Building on its legacy of honoring thousands of artists, the awards continued their commitment to inclusivity, maintained since the 2023 introduction of gender-neutral acting categories. Notable past honorees include Sean Baker, Ryan Coogler, Spike Lee, and Chloé Zhao.
The 2026 Best Feature nominees include Peter Hujar’s Day, The Plague, Sorry, Baby, Train Dreams, and Twinless. Director Francis Lawrence’s The Long Walk was selected for the Robert Altman Award, honoring the director, casting director, and ensemble cast. In television, Best New Scripted Series nominees include Adolescence, Common Side Effects, Forever, Mr Loverman, and North of North. Non-Scripted nominees include Citizen Nation, Hurricane Katrina: Race Against Time, Pee-wee as Himself, Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television, and Vow of Silence: The Assassination of Annie Mae.
Demonstrating the impact of Film Independent’s Artist Development programs, six of this year’s nominees were directly supported by the organization: Cherien Dabis, Sarah Friedland, Julia Loktev, Peter Nicks, Lizzie Shapiro, and Brittany Shyne. This year’s nominating committees selected talent from 18 different countries with project budgets ranging from $35,000 to $20 million. Nominees were evaluated based on uniqueness of vision, provocative subject matter, economy of means, and diversity. Of the 2026 nominees, 41% are women and 33% are BIPOC.
About Ego Nwodim
Ego Nwodim hosted the 41st Film Independent Spirit Awards today, February 15, at the Hollywood Palladium, and it was a job well done. The Saturday Night Live alum and NAACP Image Award nominee joined a prestigious list of unique and hilarious past hosts, including Aidy Bryant, Hasan Minhaj, Melissa Villaseñor, and Aubrey Plaza. After seven seasons on Saturday Night Live, Nwodim continues her momentum. She currently hosts the award-winning podcast “Thanks Dad” and is set to appear in Mindy Kaling’s upcoming Hulu comedy, “Not Suitable for Work,” as well as Disney and Pixar’s “Hoppers.”
About Film Independent
Film Independent and our mission to support filmmakers in creating their work, building audiences, and fostering a more diverse film industry. With over 250 annual screenings and events, we provide a vital network for artists who are driving creativity in entertainment.
Our programming includes the Film Independent Spirit Awards, which recognizes excellence in independent filmmaking, and Film Independent Presents, our year-round series of screenings and conversations. Additionally, we offer extensive Artist Development Labs for writers, directors, and producers, as well as our signature Project Involve program, which is dedicated to supporting filmmakers from traditionally underrepresented communities. Through our weekly educational workshops and international exchange programs, we provide professionals at all levels with the tools and global connections needed to succeed.
Membership is open to anyone passionate about film, whether you are an industry professional or a dedicated film lover. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how you might get involved with our community.
2026 Film Independent Spirit Awards Winner List
BEST NEW NON-SCRIPTED OR DOCUMENTARY SERIES
Pee-wee as Himself
Executive Producers: Matt Wolf, Emma Tillinger Koskoff, Ronald Bronstein, Eli Bush, Benny Safdie, Josh Safdie, Paul Reubens, Candace Tomarken, Kyle Martin, Nancy Abraham, Lisa Heller, Sara Rodriguez
BEST LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A NEW SCRIPTED SERIES
Stephen Graham, Adolescence
BEST ENSEMBLE CAST IN A NEW SCRIPTED SERIES
Chief of War
Ensemble Cast: Charlie Brumbly, Luciane Buchanan, Cliff Curtis, Brandon Finn, Moses Goods, Te Ao o Hinepehinga, Benjamin Hoetjes, Siua Ikale’o, Keala Kahuanui-Paleka, Mainei Kinimaka, Kaina Makua, Jason Momoa, Temuera Morrison, Te Kohe Tuhaka, James Udom
BEST SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A NEW SCRIPTED SERIES
Erin Doherty, Adolescence
BEST BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE IN A NEW SCRIPTED SERIES
Owen Cooper, Adolescence
BEST NEW SCRIPTED SERIES
Adolescence
Creators/Executive Producers: Jack Thorne, Stephen Graham
Executive Producers: Philip Barantini, Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Nina Wolarsky, Hannah Walters, Mark Herbert, Emily Feller
Co-Executive Producers: Carina Sposato, Niall Shamma, Peter Balm
TRUER THAN FICTION AWARD
Rajee Samarasinghe, director of Your Touch Makes Others Invisible
PRODUCERS AWARD
Tony Yang
BEST LEAD PERFORMANCE
Rose Byrne, If I Had Legs I’d Kick You
BEST FEATURE
Train Dreams
Producers: Michael Heimler, Will Janowitz, Marissa McMahon, Ashley Schlaifer, Teddy Schwarzman
ROBERT ALTMAN AWARD
The Long Walk
Director: Francis Lawrence
Casting Director: Rich Delia
Ensemble cast: Judy Greer, Mark Hamill, Cooper Hoffman, David Jonsson, Tut Nyuot, Joshua Odjick, Charlie Plummer, Ben Wang, Garrett Wareing
SOMEONE TO WATCH AWARD
Tatti Ribeiro, director of Valentina
BEST EDITING
Sofía Subercaseaux, The Testament of Ann Lee
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Adolpho Veloso, Train Dreams
BEST BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE
Kayo Martin, The Plague
BEST FIRST FEATURE
Lurker
Director: Alex Russell
Producers: Galen Core, Archie Madekwe, Marc Marrie, Charlie McDowell, Francesco Melzi D’Eril, Duncan Montgomery, Alex Orlovsky, Olmo Schnabel, Jack Selby
BEST DIRECTOR
Clint Bentley, Train Dreams
BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM
The Secret Agent (Brazil)
Director/Writer: Kleber Mendonça Filho
BEST FIRST SCREENPLAY
Alex Russell, Lurker
BEST SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE
Naomi Ackie, Sorry, Baby
JOHN CASSAVETES AWARD
Esta Isla (This Island)
Directors/Writers/Producers: Cristian Carretero, Lorraine Jones Molina
Writer: Kisha Tikina Burgos
BEST SCREENPLAY
Eva Victor, Sorry, Baby
BEST DOCUMENTARY
The Perfect Neighbor
Director: Geeta Gandbhir
Producers: Gandbhir, Sam Bisbee, Nikon Kwantu, Alisa Payne
