Film Independent Spirit Awards Celebrate Independent Cinema

Train Dreams wins Best Feature and Best Director, while Rose Byrne takes Best Lead Performance for If I Had Legs I'd Kick You.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The 2026 Film Independent Spirit Awards honored independent films and television, with Train Dreams winning Best Feature and Best Director, and Rose Byrne taking Best Lead Performance for If I Had Legs I'd Kick You. The awards ceremony, which moved from Santa Monica to the Hollywood Palladium this year, also saw Eva Victor win Best Screenplay for Sorry, Baby. On the TV side, the Netflix series Adolescence dominated, winning awards for Best New Scripted Series, as well as Best Lead, Supporting, and Breakout Performance.

Why it matters

The Film Independent Spirit Awards celebrate the best in independent cinema, recognizing films and talent that may not receive the same level of attention as big-budget Hollywood productions. These awards shine a spotlight on diverse voices and stories that might otherwise be overlooked, championing the independent film community and its vital role in the entertainment landscape.

The details

The 2026 Film Independent Spirit Awards saw several big winners, including Train Dreams for Best Feature and Best Director, and Rose Byrne for Best Lead Performance in If I Had Legs I'd Kick You. Eva Victor won Best Screenplay for Sorry, Baby, while the Netflix series Adolescence dominated the television categories, winning awards for Best New Scripted Series and several acting honors. This year's ceremony also marked a change of venue, moving from Santa Monica to the Hollywood Palladium.

  • The 2026 Film Independent Spirit Awards ceremony took place on February 16, 2026.

The players

Train Dreams

The film won Best Feature and Best Director at the 2026 Film Independent Spirit Awards.

Rose Byrne

The actress won Best Lead Performance for her role in the film If I Had Legs I'd Kick You.

Eva Victor

The writer won Best Screenplay for the film Sorry, Baby.

Adolescence

The Netflix series dominated the television categories, winning awards for Best New Scripted Series and several acting honors.

Film Independent

The organization that hosts the annual Spirit Awards, celebrating independent cinema.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Making this film independently is the only way I could have ever made it the way I needed to. I'm so, so grateful for independent cinema, and I love everyone here for that.”

— Eva Victor, Screenwriter, Sorry, Baby (Vulture)

What’s next

The winners of the Film Independent Spirit Awards will go on to be considered for other major awards shows, such as the Oscars and Golden Globes, further elevating the profiles of these independent films and talents.

The takeaway

The Film Independent Spirit Awards continue to be a vital platform for celebrating the diverse voices and stories that make up the independent film community, providing much-deserved recognition and support for filmmakers working outside the mainstream Hollywood system.