Film Independent Spirit Awards Move to Hollywood Palladium

SNL's Ego Nwodim hosts the 41st annual indie film celebration.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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The Film Independent Spirit Awards, an annual celebration of independent film and television, has moved its ceremony from its longtime location near the Santa Monica Pier to the Hollywood Palladium this year. The awards show, which is live-streamed, will be hosted for the first time by 'Saturday Night Live' alum Ego Nwodim.

Why it matters

The Spirit Awards are a key event for the independent film and TV community, honoring projects and talent that may not receive recognition from larger awards shows. The move to a new indoor venue in Hollywood represents a shift for the ceremony, which was previously held in a tent near the beach in Santa Monica.

The details

Historically, the Spirit Awards have taken place under a large tent near the Santa Monica Pier, with a daytime start time that inspired a more casual dress code compared to evening awards shows. This year, the ceremony will move to the Hollywood Palladium, an indoor venue, while maintaining its 2 p.m. PST start time.

  • The 41st Film Independent Spirit Awards will take place on February 15, 2026.
  • The awards show has previously been held near the Santa Monica Pier.

The players

Ego Nwodim

A cast member on 'Saturday Night Live', Nwodim will host the Spirit Awards for the first time.

John Mulaney

The comedian co-hosted the Spirit Awards in 2018 with Nick Kroll.

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What they’re saying

“We are coming to you live from a freezing cold tent on the beach,”

— John Mulaney

What’s next

The Film Independent Spirit Awards ceremony will take place on February 15, 2026 at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles.

The takeaway

The move of the Spirit Awards to a new indoor venue in Hollywood represents an evolution for the ceremony, which has traditionally been held in a tent near the beach in a more casual daytime setting. This shift signals the continued growth and importance of the awards in recognizing independent film and television.