2026 Spirit Awards Nominations Announced

The 41st Film Independent Spirit Awards nominations were disclosed, highlighting notable films and talents in the indie sphere. The Best Feature category includes a diverse lineup of films, with four out of five nominees premiering at the Sundance Film Festival.

2026 Spirit Awards Nominations Overview

The nominated films in the Best Feature category are:

• Peter Hujar’s Day – Produced by Jonah Disend and Jordan Drake
• The Plague – Producers include Derek Dauchy and Joel Edgerton
• Sorry, Baby – Produced by Mark Ceryak and Barry Jenkins
• Train Dreams – Featuring Joel Edgerton
• Twinless – Producers include David Permut and James Sweeney

Film Premieres and Acquisitions

Charlie Polinger’s The Plague made its debut at Cannes, while Train Dreams, distributed by Netflix, secured a high-profile acquisition. This year, Netflix achieved significant recognition with 18 nominations, a notable increase from last year’s nine. A24 followed closely behind with 10 nominations.

Directorial Nominations

The Best Director nominees are:

• Clint Bentley – Train Dreams
• Mary Bronstein – If I Had Legs I’d Kick You
• Lloyd Lee Choi – Lucky Lu
• Ira Sachs – Peter Hujar’s Day
• Eva Victor – Sorry, Baby

Films nominated for the top awards adhere to the budget criteria of under $30 million. Notable exclusions include Weapons, The Smashing Machine, and Bugonia.

Details on Major Wins

Last year’s winners included the Cannes film Anora, which triumped not only in Best Feature but also garnered five Oscars, indicating that the Spirits might not mirror Oscar outcomes in recent times.

The Spirit Awards will take place on February 15, 2026, at the Hollywood Palladium, shifting from their previous location in Santa Monica. The event will be streamed live across multiple platforms.

2026 Spirit Awards Key Categories

Here is a list of some key award categories and nominees:

• Best Lead Performance:
  • Joel Edgerton – Train Dreams
  • Rose Byrne – If I Had Legs I’d Kick You
• Best Documentary:
  • Come See Me in the Good Light – Director: Ryan White
  • The Perfect Neighbor – Director: Geeta Gandbhir
• Robert Altman Award:
  • The Long Walk – Director: Francis Lawrence

The 2026 Spirit Awards nominations reflect a vibrant selection of innovative storytelling in independent cinema, setting the stage for an exciting ceremony ahead.