2026 Independent Spirit Awards Winners Announced

Eva Victor wins for 'The Perfect Neighbor' as show moves to Hollywood Palladium

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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The 2026 Independent Spirit Awards ceremony took place at the Hollywood Palladium this year, a departure from the iconic Santa Monica beach tent location due to Los Angeles' preparations for the 2028 Summer Olympics. The awards celebrated the best in independent film, with Sundance hits like 'Train Dreams,' 'Sorry, Baby,' 'If I Had Legs I'd Kick You,' 'Twinless,' and 'Peter Hujar's Day' among the top nominees. While a win could boost the Oscar chances for some films, for most nominees the Spirits are now 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 industry, recognizing the best low-budget, innovative, and boundary-pushing movies that may not receive the same level of mainstream attention as big-budget Hollywood productions. With the show moving to a new indoor venue in Hollywood, it signals the evolving nature of the awards and the independent film landscape, as Los Angeles prepares to host the 2028 Olympics.

The details

This year's Independent Spirit Awards ceremony took place at the Hollywood Palladium, a departure from the iconic Santa Monica beach tent location. The change in venue was due to Los Angeles' ongoing preparations for hosting the 2028 Summer Olympics. Despite the new setting, the awards show maintained its core mission of celebrating the best in independent filmmaking, with a slate of nominees that included several Sundance hits from 2025 such as 'Train Dreams,' 'Sorry, Baby,' 'If I Had Legs I'd Kick You,' 'Twinless,' and 'Peter Hujar's Day'.

  • The 2026 Independent Spirit Awards ceremony took place on February 15, 2026.
  • Los Angeles is preparing to host the 2028 Summer Olympics.

The players

Independent Spirit Awards

An annual award show that celebrates the best in independent film.

2028 Summer Olympics

Los Angeles is the host city for the 2028 Summer Olympics.

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What they’re saying

“The Independent Spirit Awards look a little different this year, with the iconic Santa Monica beach tent temporarily giving way to an indoor show at the Hollywood Palladium due to Los Angeles' ongoing preparations for the 2028 Summer Olympics.”

— Christian Zilko, Author (IMDb)

The takeaway

The Independent Spirit Awards have adapted to the changing landscape of independent filmmaking, moving to a new indoor venue in Hollywood as Los Angeles prepares to host the 2028 Olympics. While the setting has changed, the awards show remains a crucial platform for celebrating the best low-budget, innovative, and boundary-pushing films that may not receive the same level of mainstream attention as big-budget Hollywood productions.