The 41st Film Independent Spirit Awards took place Sunday afternoon at the Hollywood Palladium, celebrating the best in independent film and television. Hosted by Saturday Night Live alum Ego Nwodim, the ceremony recognized a diverse range of projects, with Netflix and A24 leading the nominations. Film enthusiasts were able to tune into the live present on both IMDb’s and Film Independent’s YouTube channels, beginning at 2 p.m. PT, making the awards accessible to a wide audience.
Several films with Oscar buzz were similarly in contention at the Spirit Awards, including Netflix’s Train Dreams, nominated for four Academy Awards, including Adapted Screenplay, Score, and Cinematography. The Spirit Awards often serve as a bellwether for the Oscars, as evidenced by last year’s wins for Anora – Best Feature, Best Director for Sean Baker, and Best Actress for Mikey Madison – which went on to repeat its success at the Academy Awards.
This year’s ceremony marked a new chapter for the Spirit Awards, moving from its long-time beachside location at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica to the Hollywood Palladium. The shift reflects a move towards a more central position within the awards season calendar, having previously been held the day before the Oscars.
Here’s a complete list of the winners from the 2026 Film Independent Spirit Awards:
Film Awards
- Best Screenplay: Eva Victor, Sorry, Baby
- Best Documentary: The Perfect Neighbor, Director: Geeta Gandbhir, Producers: Gandbhir, Sam Bisbee, Nikon Kwantu, Alisa Payne
- 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
- 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
- Truer Than Fiction Award: Rajee Samarasinghe, director of Your Touch Makes Others Invisible
- Producers Award: Tony Yang
Television Awards
- 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
- 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 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
The 2026 Spirit Awards highlighted the strength and diversity of independent filmmaking, with Adolescence and The Secret Agent emerging as major winners. Netflix led all platforms with 18 nominations, followed by A24 with 10, demonstrating their continued commitment to supporting independent projects.
The awards also showcased potential contenders for the upcoming Academy Awards, with several Spirit Award winners and nominees also in the running for Oscars. The crossover between the two ceremonies continues to be a significant factor in the awards season narrative.
As the awards season progresses, the Spirit Awards provide a valuable platform for recognizing and celebrating the artistry and innovation of independent filmmakers. The winners represent a diverse range of voices and perspectives, and their work is sure to inspire and challenge audiences for years to come.
What are your thoughts on this year’s winners? Share your reactions in the comments below and join the conversation!
