Stars Shine at 2026 Independent Spirit Awards

Celebrities like Jenny Slate, Lamorne Morris, and Joel Edgerton walk the red carpet at the annual film awards show.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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The 2026 Film Independent Spirit Awards, honoring the best in independent cinema, took place on February 15, 2026 at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles. Numerous stars, including Jenny Slate, Lamorne Morris, Joel Edgerton, and many others, attended the event and walked the red carpet.

Why it matters

The Independent Spirit Awards recognize and celebrate the achievements of independent filmmakers, who often work with smaller budgets and less mainstream projects compared to major studio productions. The event is seen as an important precursor to the Academy Awards and helps shine a spotlight on diverse, innovative, and thought-provoking films that may not receive as much mainstream attention.

The details

Celebrities in attendance included actors Jenny Slate, Lamorne Morris, Joel Edgerton, Eva Victor, Xosha Roquemore, Jane Levy, Dewayne Perkins, Taylor Dearden, Garrett Wareing, Poorna Jagannathan, Natasha Rothwell, Amirah Johnson, David Dastmalchian, Te Ao o Hinepehinga, James Udom, Lovie Simone, Mark Duplass, Jay Duplass, Constance Tsang, Annie Gonzalez, Adam Leon, Tyler Taormina, Nate Fisher, Michael Basta, Carson Lund, Charlie Brumbly, John Carroll Lynch, and Kayo Martin.

  • The 2026 Film Independent Spirit Awards took place on February 15, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.

The players

Film Independent

The non-profit organization that produces the annual Independent Spirit Awards, honoring achievements in independent filmmaking.

Hollywood Palladium

The venue where the 2026 Film Independent Spirit Awards ceremony was held in Los Angeles.

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The takeaway

The 2026 Independent Spirit Awards showcased the diverse talent and creativity of the independent film community, highlighting movies and performances that may not receive the same level of mainstream attention as big-budget studio productions. The event underscores the importance of supporting and celebrating independent artistic voices in the film industry.