Independent Spirit Awards

Independent Spirit Awards (1986- )

RunningAward Show show

The Independent Spirit Awards (originally known as the FINDIE or Friends of Independents Awards), founded in 1984, are awards dedicated to independent filmmakers. Winners were typically presented with acrylic glass pyramids containing suspended shoestrings representing the paltry budgets of independent films. In 1986, the event was renamed the Independent Spirit Awards. The Independent Spirit Awards are presented by Film Independent, a non-profit organization dedicated to independent film and independent filmmakers. In 2007, the ceremony was slightly changed to Film Independent's Spirit Awards. Since 2006, winners have received a trophy depicting a bird sitting atop of a pole with the shoestrings from the previous design wrapped around the pole.

The awards show was previously held inside a tent on the beach in Santa Monica, California, usually on the day before the Academy Awards (since 1999; originally the Saturday before). Since 1994, the show has been broadcast on the Bravo network and Independent Film Channel. The 31st Independent Spirit Awards ceremony, celebrating the films of 2015, will be held on February 26, 2016.

Networks
Scheduleevery Saturday

Last Episode

41st Annual Film Independent Spirit Awards
Year 2026Episode 1150 min

41st Annual Film Independent Spirit Awards

Live from the historic Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, California. 

Feb 15, 2026

Recent Episodes

EpisodeNameAirdate
2026-02-1541st Annual Film Independent Spirit AwardsFeb 15, 2026
2025-02-2240th Annual Film Independent Spirit AwardsFeb 22, 2025
2024-02-2539th Anniversary Spirit AwardsFeb 25, 2024
2023-03-0438th Anniversary Spirit AwardsMar 4, 2023
2022-03-0637th Anniversary Spirit AwardsMar 6, 2022
View all episodesView all seasons

Frequently Asked Questions  Warning: Spoilers

When did the Independent Spirit Awards premiered?

The Independent Spirit Awards premiered on September 1986.

Who hosted the first Independent Spirit Awards?

Buck Henry hosted the first Independent Spirit Awards.

How many categories were presented in the first Independent Spirit Awards?

10 categories were presented in the first Independent Spirit Awards.

Who won the Best Feature award in the first Independent Spirit Awards?

River's Edge won the Best Feature award in the first Independent Spirit Awards.

Which film won the Best Director in the first Independent Spirit Awards?

Rob Nilsson won the Best Director award in the first Independent Spirit Awards for his work on Heat and Sunlight.

Who won the Best Actor award in the first Independent Spirit Awards?

Dennis Quaid won the Best Actor award in the first Independent Spirit Awards for his role in The Big Easy.

Who won the Best Actress award in the first Independent Spirit Awards?

Sandrine Bonnaire won the Best Actress award in the first Independent Spirit Awards for her role in Vagabond.

Who won the Best Supporting Actor award in the first Independent Spirit Awards?

Lou Diamond Phillips won the Best Supporting Actor award in the first Independent Spirit Awards for his role in Stand and Deliver.

Who won the Best Supporting Actress award in the first Independent Spirit Awards?

Lupe Ontiveros won the Best Supporting Actress award in the first Independent Spirit Awards for her role in El Norte.

Who won the Best Screenplay award in the first Independent Spirit Awards?

Neal Jimenez won the Best Screenplay award in the first Independent Spirit Awards for River's Edge.

Who won the Best Cinematography award in the first Independent Spirit Awards?

Frederick Elmes won the Best Cinematography award in the first Independent Spirit Awards for River's Edge.

Who won the Best First Feature award in the first Independent Spirit Awards?

True Stories won the Best First Feature award in the first Independent Spirit Awards.

Cast

Samuel L. Jackson

Samuel L. Jackson

plays himself
Patton Oswalt

Patton Oswalt

plays himself
Andy Samberg

Andy Samberg

plays himself
Fred Armisen

Fred Armisen

plays himself
Nick Kroll

Nick Kroll

plays himself
Peter Coyote

Peter Coyote

plays himself
Seth Rogen

Seth Rogen

plays himself
Joel McHale

Joel McHale

plays himself
View all cast

Characters

Host

Host

played by Samuel L. Jackson
Host

Host

played by Patton Oswalt
Host

Host

played by Andy Samberg
Host

Host

played by Fred Armisen
Host

Host

played by Nick Kroll
Host

Host

played by Peter Coyote
Host

Host

played by Seth Rogen
Host

Host

played by Joel McHale
View all characters

Also known as

  • Film Independent Spirit Awards (United States)

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