2026 Indie Spirit Award Nominations (Live Updates)

The 41st edition of the Film Independent Spirit Awards will reveal its nominations on Wednesday at 7 a.m. PT / 10 a.m. ET. This years ceremony, celebrating the finest achievements in independent cinema and first-season television, will be held on February 15, 2026, at the Hollywood Palladium, moving from its traditional Santa Monica beach location.

Eligible films must have been made with a budget under $30 million and meet at least one of the following criteria: screened at one of eight qualifying film festivals, had a theatrical release for a minimum of one week in 2025, or been available on a commercial, subscription-based streaming platform during the year. Apart from the Best International Film and Best Documentary categories, films must qualify as American productions, meaning that at least two of the director, producer, or writer are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Non-American productions can compete in the international narrative or documentary categories.

Film Independent nominating committees evaluate entries for independence, taking into account the films originality, provocative storytelling, representation both on-screen and behind the camera, and efficient use of resources. Television entries are only eligible during their debut season.

Historically, Spirit Award nominations often highlight several films and actors that later receive Academy recognition. In the previous year, notable films crossing over to Oscar nominations included Nickel Boys, The Substance, and Anora, with the latter winning both Spirit and Oscar accolades.

Nominees will be updated live as the announcements continue. The categories for 2026 include:

• Best Feature Awarded to the producer
• Best First Feature Awarded to director and producer
• Best Director
• Best Screenplay
• Best First Screenplay
• Best Lead Performance
• Best Supporting Performance
• Best Breakthrough Performance
• Best Cinematography
• Best Editing
• Robert Altman Award Honoring a films director, casting director, and ensemble cast
• Best Documentary Awarded to director and producer
• Best International Film Awarded to director
• Producers Award Recognizes emerging producers who demonstrate creativity, persistence, and vision
• Someone to Watch Award Celebrates a filmmaker of unique vision not yet widely recognized
• Truer Than Fiction Award Given to an emerging director of non-fiction features with limited prior recognition
• Best New Non-Scripted or Documentary Series Awarded to Creator, Executive Producer, or Co-Executive Producer
• Best New Scripted Series Awarded to Creator, Executive Producer, or Co-Executive Producer
• Best Lead Performance in a New Scripted Series
• Best Supporting Performance in a New Scripted Series
• Best Breakthrough Performance in a New Scripted Series
• Best Ensemble Cast in a New Scripted Series

Author: Aiden Foster