Live Updates: 2026 Independent Spirit Awards Winners
The 2026 Independent Spirit Awards celebrated the achievements of independent filmmakers with a ceremony held at the Hollywood Palladium. This marked a significant venue change after 40 years, moving from its traditional location on the beach in Santa Monica.
Major Winners
Clint Bentley claimed the Best Director award for his film *Train Dreams*. The film also won Best Cinematography, awarded to Adolpho Veloso. In the screenplay categories, Eva Victor won for *Sorry, Baby*, while Alex Russell’s *Lurker* earned the Best First Screenplay award.
- Best Feature: *Sorry, Baby*
- Best First Feature: *Lurker* (also awarded to its director Alex Russell)
- Best Documentary: *The Perfect Neighbor*
- Best International Film: *The Secret Agent*
- John Cassavetes Award: *Esta Isla (This Island)*
Acting Highlights
The ceremony recognized notable performances across various categories. Naomi Ackie received the Best Supporting Performance award for her role in *Sorry, Baby*. Kayo Martin won for Best Breakthrough Performance in *The Plague*.
Television Awards
On the TV side, *Adolescence* won the Spirit Award for Best New Scripted Series, with Erin Doherty earning recognition in the acting categories. *Pee-wee as Himself* was recognized as Best New Non-Scripted or Documentary Series.
Vaccines and International Representation
This year’s nominees represented 18 countries, highlighting films produced on budgets ranging from $35,000 to $20 million. The awards continued to promote gender-neutral categories, broadening the scope of recognition for filmmakers.
Awards for Emerging Talent
- Producers Award: Tony Yang
- Someone to Watch Award: Tatti Ribeiro for *Valentina*
- Truer Than Fiction Award: Rajee Samarasinghe for *Your Touch Makes Others Invisible*
As the ceremony unfolded, fans and followers were able to watch the live stream on Film Independent and IMDb’s YouTube channels, along with various social platforms. Hosted by Ego Nwodim, the evening showcased the best and brightest in independent film, solidifying the event’s place on the annual awards circuit.
