2026 Independent Spirit Awards: Full List of Nominations
The nominations for the 2026 Independent Spirit Awards have been officially announced, showcasing an impressive array of talent in film and television.
Leading Nominees
Peter Hujar’s Day emerged as the top contender, earning five nominations. Close behind, six films garnered four nominations each:
- Blue Sun Palace
- Lurker
- One of Them Days
- Sorry, Baby
- Train Dreams
Additionally, Lucky Lu, The Plague, and Twinless secured three nominations each.
Best Feature Nominations
Peter Hujar’s Day, The Plague, Sorry, Baby, Train Dreams, and Twinless are in the running for Best Feature. Francis Lawrence’s The Long Walk will receive the Robert Altman Award for excellence in collaborative filmmaking.
Television Nominations
In television, three series, Adolescence, Forever, and Mr Loverman, each received four nominations, competing for Best New Scripted Series. They are joined by Common Side Effects and North of North.
A Celebration of Diversity
The nominated works reflect a global perspective, with artists from 18 different countries participating. The budgets of these projects range significantly, from $35,000 to $20 million. Notably, 41% of this year’s nominees are women, while 33% represent Black, Indigenous, or people of color.
Event Details
The 41st Independent Spirit Awards will take place on February 15 at the Hollywood Palladium, marking a transition from previous ceremonies held in a tent on the beach in Santa Monica. The event will be streamed live on various platforms, including the Film Independent and IMDb YouTube channels.
Previous Winners
This year’s nominations follow the recognition of Anora, which won three awards, including Best Feature, at the 2025 Independent Spirit Awards.
Complete List of Nominations
Best Feature
- Peter Hujar’s Day
- The Plague
- Sorry, Baby
- Train Dreams
- Twinless
Best First Feature
- Blue Sun Palace
- Dust Bunny
- East of Wall
- Lurker
- One of Them Days
Best Director
- Clint Bentley for Train Dreams
- Mary Bronstein for If I Had Legs I’d Kick You
- Lloyd Lee Choi for Lucky Lu
- Ira Sachs for Peter Hujar’s Day
- Eva Victor for Sorry, Baby
Best Lead Performance
- Everett Blunck, The Plague
- Rose Byrne, If I Had Legs I’d Kick You
- Kathleen Chalfant, Familiar Touch
- Joel Edgerton, Train Dreams
- Keke Palmer, One of Them Days
The upcoming Independent Spirit Awards promise to highlight the innovative spirit of independent cinema and television, celebrating the unique voices that contribute to the industry.
