2026 Independent Spirit Awards Winners Announced

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The 2026 Independent Spirit Awards took place at the Hollywood Palladium this year, marking a temporary move from the traditional Santa Monica beach tent location due to preparations for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. The awards show honored some of the biggest independent films and TV shows of 2025, including Sundance hits like "Train Dreams," "Sorry, Baby," "If I Had Legs I'd Kick You," "Twinless," and "Peter Hujar's Day." While a win at the Spirits could boost the chances of some films like "Train Dreams" and "The Secret Agent" at the Oscars, for most nominees the Independent Spirit Awards are an end in themselves, providing crucial validation from the independent film community.

Why it matters

The Independent Spirit Awards are a key event for the independent film and TV community, celebrating the creativity, innovation, and diverse voices that thrive outside the mainstream Hollywood system. As the industry continues to evolve, the Spirits remain an important counterpoint to the major awards shows, shining a light on the films and shows that may not have the same blockbuster budgets or star power but embody the spirit of independent storytelling.

The details

This year's Independent Spirit Awards took place at the Hollywood Palladium, a temporary move from the iconic Santa Monica beach tent location due to preparations for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. The nominees included some of the biggest indie hits of 2025, like the Sundance films "Train Dreams," "Sorry, Baby," "If I Had Legs I'd Kick You," "Twinless," and "Peter Hujar's Day." While a Spirit win could boost the awards season chances of films like "Train Dreams" and "The Secret Agent," for most nominees the Spirits are an end in themselves, providing crucial validation from the independent film community.

• The 2026 Independent Spirit Awards ceremony took place on February 15, 2026.