UPDATE: The 2026 Film Independent Spirit Awards are underway at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, with Ego Nwodim hosting the prestigious event that kicked off at 2 p.m. PT today. This marks a significant venue change after 40 years in a tent on the beach in Santa Monica.
As the show unfolds, the spotlight is on major nominees. Peter Hujar’s Day leads with five nominations, closely followed by Blue Sun Palace, Lurker, One of Them Days, and Sorry, Baby, each with four nods. In the TV categories, Adolescence, Forever, and Mr Loverman dominate with four nominations each.
This year’s awards nominate talent from 18 different countries, with budgets ranging from $35,000 to $20 million. Notably, 41% of nominees are women, while 33% identify as Black, Indigenous, or people of color, reflecting greater diversity in independent film.
The live stream is available on the Film Independent and IMDb YouTube channels, ensuring fans can follow every moment as winners are announced. This year, the Spirit Awards continue to recognize performers in gender-neutral categories, showcasing a commitment to inclusivity.
Earlier this month, three awards were presented at a brunch event. The Producers Award went to Tony Yang, the Truer Than Fiction Award was awarded to Rajee Samarasinghe, and Tatti Ribeiro secured the Someone to Watch Award.
Stay tuned for live updates as winners are revealed! Refresh this page for the latest announcements.
Here are some of the key nominees and their producers:
– Peter Hujar’s Day – Producers: Jonah Disend, Jordan Drake
– The Plague – Producers: Derek Dauchy, Joel Edgerton, Roy Lee, Lucy McKendrick
– Sorry, Baby – Producers: Mark Ceryak, Barry Jenkins, Adele Romanski
– Adolescence – Executive Producers: Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner
With high stakes and emotional stories being celebrated, the Spirit Awards not only honor cinematic excellence but also highlight the impact of independent film on global culture.
Keep an eye out for more updates as winners are announced throughout the event!
