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Film Independent Spirit Awards 2026 Winners

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The two took home multiple awards at independent film and TV’s most prestigious event

Director Philip Barantini’s Adolescence and Clint Bentley’s Train Dreams won big at last night’s Film Independent Spirit Awards, with the former smashing records at this year’s awards show.

Adolescence, which depicts a family’s world turned upside down when its 13-year-old son is arrested for murdering a schoolmate, received four awards, the most of any television show since the Spirit Awards began honoring TV in 2021.

The Netflix series won Best New Scripted Series. Owen Cooper took home Best Breakthrough Performance in a New Scripted Series for his role as the family’s troubled son, Jamie Miller. Stephen Graham won Best Lead Performance in a New Scripted Series for portraying father Eddie Miller, while Erin Doherty received Best Supporting Performance in a New Scripted Series for her role as court-appointed forensic psychologist Briony Ariston.

Netflix’s Train Dreams, which traces the life of a laborer in the Pacific Northwest at the turn of the 20th century, led the way in the film category, taking home three awards, including Best Feature, Best Director for Clint Bentley and Best Cinematography for Adolpho Veloso.

Rose Byrne won Best Lead Performance for her role in A24’s If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, while the studio’s other hit feature, Sorry, Baby, received Best Supporting Performance forNaomi Ackie and Best Screenplay for Eva Victor.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 15: Rose Byrne, winner of the Best Lead Performance award for “If I Had Legs I'd Kick You”, poses in the press room during the 2026 Film Independent Spirit Awards at Hollywood Palladium on February 15, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/WireImage)
Rose Byrne, winner of the Best Lead Performance award for “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You”, poses in the press room during the Film Independent Spirit Awards
Credit: Frazer Harrison/WireImage

The Robert Altman Award, created in 2008 to honor legendary filmmaker Robert Altman, was awarded to director Francis Lawrence of The Long Walk, alongside casting director Rich Delia and ensemble cast members.

Esta Isla, a Spanish-language film about a teenager in Puerto Rico who turns to crime out of desperation, received the John Cassavetes Award, which recognizes the best feature made for under $1 million.

Journalist and filmmaker Tatti Ribeiro won the Someone to Watch Award, given to a visionary filmmaker who has not yet received appropriate recognition.

Rajee Samarasinghe took home the Truer Than Fiction Award, presented to an emerging director of non-fiction features who has yet to garner significant recognition, while Tony Yang received the Producers Award, honoring emerging producers creating quality independent films with limited resources.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 15: (L-R) Kate Hudson and Tessa Thompson attend the 2026 Film Independent Spirit Awards at Hollywood Palladium on February 15, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images)LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 15: (L-R) Kate Hudson and Tessa Thompson attend the 2026 Film Independent Spirit Awards at Hollywood Palladium on February 15, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images)
Kate Hudson and Tessa Thompson attend the Film Independent Spirit Awards
Credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

The Film Independent Spirit Awards, hosted this year by actress and comedian Ego Nwodim, seeks to amplify and celebrate the creativity, diversity, and originality of independent filmmakers. This year’s ceremony marked the awards’ 41st since they began in 1984.

The event was broadcast live on Film Independent and IMDb’s YouTube channels, earning nearly 100,000 views.

Here is the complete list of winners at last night’s event:

Film Categories

Best Feature

Train Dreams

Best Director

Clint Bentley, Train Dreams

Best Screenplay

Eva Victor, Sorry, Baby

Best First Feature

Lurker

Best First Screenplay

Alex Russell, Lurker

John Cassavetes Award

Esta Isla (This Island)

Best Breakthrough Performance

Kayo Martin, The Plague

Best Supporting Performance

Naomi Ackie, Sorry, Baby

Best Lead Performance

Rose Byrne, If I Had Legs I’d Kick You

Robert Altman Award

The Long Walk

Best Cinematography

Adolpho Veloso, Train Dreams

Best Editing

Sofía Subercaseaux, The Testament of Ann Lee

Best International Film

The Secret Agent

Best Documentary

The Perfect Neighbor

Someone to Watch

Tatti Ribeiro, Valentina

Truer Than Fiction

Rajee Samarasinghe, Your Touch Makes Others Invisible

Producers Award

Tony Yang

Television Categories

Best New Scripted Series

Adolescence

Best New Non-Scripted or Documentary Series

Pee-wee as Himself

Best Breakthrough Performance in a New Scripted Series

Owen Cooper, Adolescence

Best Supporting Performance in a New Scripted Series

Erin Doherty, Adolescence

Best Lead Performance in a New Scripted Series

Stephen Graham, Adolescence

Best Ensemble Cast in a New Scripted Series

Chief of War

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Aidan Williams

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