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Independent Spirit Award for Best Film

Annual US film award

Annual US film award

FieldValue
nameIndependent Spirit Award for Best Film
awarded_forBest Independent Film
presenterFilm Independent
countryUnited States
year1985
holderAnora (2024)
website

The Independent Spirit Award for Best Film (or Best Feature) is one of the annual Independent Spirit Awards, presented to recognize the best in independent filmmaking, it was first awarded in 1985 with Martin Scorsese's film After Hours being the first recipient of the award.

Criteria

In order to be considered as an independent film and therefore being eligible to this category, nomination committees base their decision on four criteria, "uniqueness of vision, original, provocative subject matter, percentage of financing from independent sources and economy of means"; the latter refers to a budget ceiling of $22.5 million. In 2022, Film Independent increased the budget cap for eligible films to $30 million to account for the rising cost of production.

In the following lists, the first titles listed are winners. These are also in bold and in blue background; those not in bold are nominees.

Winners and nominees

1980s

YearWinnerDirector(s)Distributing company(s)1985
1986198719881989
*After Hours*Martin ScorseseThe Geffen Film Company/Warner Bros.
Blood SimpleJoel Coen and Ethan CoenCircle Films
Smooth TalkJoyce ChopraGoldcrest Films
The Trip to BountifulPeter MastersonIsland Pictures
*Platoon*Oliver StoneOrion Pictures
Blue VelvetDavid LynchDe Laurentiis Entertainment Group
Down by LawJim JarmuschIsland Pictures
On Valentine's DayKen HarrisonAngelika Films
SalvadorOliver StoneHemdale Film Corporation
Stand by MeRob ReinerColumbia Pictures
*River's Edge*Tim HunterIsland Pictures
The Big EasyJim McBrideColumbia Pictures
The DeadJohn HustonVestron Pictures
MatewanJohn SaylesCinecom Pictures
Swimming to CambodiaJonathan DemmeCinecom Pictures
Tough Guys Don't DanceNorman MailerThe Cannon Group, Inc.
*Stand and Deliver*Ramon MenendezAmerican Playhouse/Warner Bros.
HairsprayJohn WatersNew Line Cinema
Patti RocksDavid Burton MorrisFilmDallas Pictures
The Thin Blue LineErrol MorrisMiramax Films
Torch Song TrilogyPaul BogartNew Line Cinema
*Sex, Lies, and Videotape*Steven SoderberghMiramax Films
Drugstore CowboyGus Van SantInternational Video Entertainment
Heat and SunlightRob NilssonSilverlight Pictures
Mystery TrainJim JarmuschOrion Classics
True LoveNancy SavocaUnited Artists

1990s

YearWinnerDirector(s)Distributing company(s)1990199119921993199419951996199719981999
*The Grifters*Stephen FrearsMiramax Films
Henry: Portrait of a Serial KillerJohn McNaughtonGreycat Films
The Plot Against HarryMichael RoemerNew Yorker Films
Pump Up the VolumeAllan MoyleNew Line Cinema
To Sleep with AngerCharles BurnettThe Samuel Goldwyn Company
*Rambling Rose*Martha CoolidgeNew Line/Seven Arts
City of HopeJohn SaylesThe Samuel Goldwyn Company
Hangin' with the HomeboysJoseph VasquezNew Line Cinema
HomicideDavid MametTriumph Films
My Own Private IdahoGus Van SantFine Line Features
*The Player*Robert AltmanFine Line Features
Bad LieutenantAbel FerraraAries Films
Gas Food LodgingAllison AndersCineville
Mississippi MasalaMira NairThe Samuel Goldwyn Company
One False MoveCarl FranklinI.R.S. Releasing
*Short Cuts*Robert AltmanFine Line Features
EquinoxAlan RudolphIRS Media
Much Ado About NothingKenneth BranaghThe Samuel Goldwyn Company
Ruby in ParadiseVictor NuñezOctober Films
The Wedding BanquetAng LeeThe Samuel Goldwyn Company
*Pulp Fiction*Quentin TarantinoMiramax Films
Bullets over BroadwayWoody AllenMiramax Films
Eat Drink Man WomanAng LeeThe Samuel Goldwyn Company
Mrs. Parker and the Vicious CircleAlan RudolphFine Line Features
Wes Craven's New NightmareWes CravenNew Line Cinema
*Leaving Las Vegas*Mike FiggisUnited Artists
The AddictionAbel FerraraOctober Films
Living in OblivionTom DiCilloSony Pictures Classics
SafeTodd HaynesSony Pictures Classics
The Secret of Roan InishJohn SaylesSony Pictures Classics
*Fargo*Joel CoenGramercy Pictures
Dead ManJim JarmuschMiramax Films
The FuneralAbel FerraraOctober Films
Lone StarJohn SaylesSony Pictures Classics
Welcome to the DollhouseTodd SolondzSony Pictures Classics
*The Apostle*Robert DuvallOctober Films
Chasing AmyKevin SmithMiramax Films
LovedErin DignamMDP Worldwide
Ulee's GoldVictor NuñezOrion Pictures
Waiting for GuffmanChristopher GuestSony Pictures Classics
*Gods and Monsters*Bill CondonLionsgate Films
AfflictionPaul SchraderLionsgate Films
Claire DolanLodge KerriganNew Yorker Films
A Soldier's Daughter Never CriesJames IvoryOctober Films
Velvet GoldmineTodd HaynesMiramax Films
*Election*Alexander PayneParamount Pictures/MTV Films
Cookie's FortuneRobert AltmanOctober Films
The LimeySteven SoderberghArtisan Entertainment
The Straight StoryDavid LynchWalt Disney Pictures
Sugar TownAllison Anders and Kurt VossOctober Films/USA Films

2000s

YearWinnerDirector(s)Distributing company(s)2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
*Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon*Ang LeeSony Pictures Classics
Before Night FallsJulian SchnabelFine Line Features
George WashingtonDavid Gordon GreenContentFilm International
Ghost Dog: The Way of the SamuraiJim JarmuschArtisan Entertainment
Requiem for a DreamDarren Aronofsky
*Memento*Christopher NolanNewmarket Films
Hedwig and the Angry InchJohn Cameron MitchellFine Line Features
L.I.E.Michael CuestaNew Yorker Films
Things Behind the SunAllison AndersShowtime Networks
Waking LifeRichard LinklaterFox Searchlight
*Far from Heaven*Todd HaynesFocus Features
The Good GirlMiguel ArtetaFox Searchlight
Lovely & AmazingNicole HolofcenerLionsgate Films
SecretarySteven Shainberg
TullyHilary BirminghamSmall Planet Pictures
*Lost in Translation*Sofia CoppolaFocus Features
American SplendorShari Springer Berman and Robert PulciniFine Line Features/HBO Films
In AmericaJim SheridanFox Searchlight
Raising Victor VargasPeter SollettSamuel Goldwyn Films
Shattered GlassBilly RayLions Gate Films
*Sideways*Alexander PayneFox Searchlight
Baadasssss!Mario Van PeeblesSony Pictures Classics
KinseyBill CondonFox Searchlight
Maria Full of GraceJoshua MarstonFine Line Features
PrimerShane CarruthTHINKFilm
*Brokeback Mountain*Ang LeeFocus Features
CapoteBennett MillerSony Pictures Classics
Good Night, and Good LuckGeorge ClooneyWarner Independent Pictures
The Squid and the WhaleNoah BaumbachSamuel Goldwyn Films
The Three Burials of Melquiades EstradaTommy Lee JonesSony Pictures Classics
*Little Miss Sunshine*Jonathan Dayton and Valerie FarisFox Searchlight
American GunAric AvelinoIFC Films
The Dead GirlKaren MoncrieffFirst Look International
Half NelsonRyan FleckTHINKFilm
Pan's LabyrinthGuillermo del ToroPicturehouse
*Juno*Jason ReitmanFox Searchlight
The Diving Bell and the ButterflyJulian SchnabelMiramax Films
I'm Not ThereTodd HaynesThe Weinstein Company
A Mighty HeartMichael WinterbottomParamount Vantage
Paranoid ParkGus Van SantIFC Films
*The Wrestler*Darren AronofskyFox Searchlight
BallastLance HammerAlluvial Film Company
Frozen RiverCourtney HuntSony Pictures Classics
Rachel Getting MarriedJonathan Demme
Wendy and LucyKelly ReichardtOscilloscope Pictures
*Precious*Lee DanielsLionsgate
(500) Days of SummerMarc WebbFox Searchlight
AmreekaCherien DabisNational Geographic Entertainment
The Last StationMichael HoffmanSony Pictures Classics
Sin NombreCary FukunagaFocus Features

2010s

YearWinnerDirector(s)Distributing company(s)2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
*Black Swan*Darren AronofskyFox Searchlight
127 HoursDanny BoyleFox Searchlight
GreenbergNoah BaumbachFocus Features
The Kids Are All RightLisa Cholodenko
Winter's BoneDebra GranikRoadside Attractions
*The Artist*Michel HazanaviciusThe Weinstein Company
50/50Jonathan LevineSummit Entertainment
BeginnersMike MillsFocus Features
The DescendantsAlexander PayneFox Searchlight
DriveNicolas Winding RefnFilmDistrict
Take ShelterJeff NicholsSony Pictures Classics
*Silver Linings Playbook*David O. RussellThe Weinstein Company
Beasts of the Southern WildBenh ZeitlinFox Searchlight
BernieRichard LinklaterMillennium Entertainment
Keep the Lights OnIra SachsMusic Box Films
Moonrise KingdomWes AndersonFocus Features
*12 Years a Slave*Steve McQueenFox Searchlight
All Is LostJ. C. ChandorLionsgate
Frances HaNoah BaumbachIFC Films
Inside Llewyn DavisJoel Coen and Ethan CoenCBS Films
NebraskaAlexander PayneParamount Vantage
*Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)*Alejandro G. IñárrituFox Searchlight
BoyhoodRichard LinklaterIFC Films
Love Is StrangeIra SachsSony Pictures Classics
SelmaAva DuVernayParamount Pictures
WhiplashDamien ChazelleSony Pictures Classics
*Spotlight*Tom McCarthyOpen Road Films
AnomalisaCharlie Kaufman and Duke JohnsonParamount Pictures
Beasts of No NationCary Joji FukunagaBleecker Street/Netflix
CarolTodd HaynesThe Weinstein Company
TangerineSean BakerMagnolia Pictures
*Moonlight*Barry JenkinsA24
American HoneyAndrea ArnoldA24
ChronicMichel FrancoMonument Releasing
JackiePablo LarraínFox Searchlight
Manchester by the SeaKenneth LonerganAmazon Studios/Roadside Attractions
*Get Out*Jordan PeeleUniversal Pictures/Blumhouse Productions
Call Me by Your NameLuca GuadagninoSony Pictures Classics
The Florida ProjectSean BakerA24
Lady BirdGreta Gerwig
The RiderChloé ZhaoSony Pictures Classics
*If Beale Street Could Talk*Barry JenkinsAnnapurna Pictures
Eighth GradeBo BurnhamA24
First ReformedPaul Schrader
Leave No TraceDebra GranikBleecker Street
You Were Never Really HereLynne RamsayAmazon Studios
*The Farewell*Lulu WangA24
A Hidden LifeTerrence MalickFox Searchlight
ClemencyChinonye ChukwuNeon
Marriage StoryNoah BaumbachNetflix
Uncut GemsBenny Safdie and Joshua SafdieA24

2020s

YearWinnerDirector(s)Distributing company(s)2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
*Nomadland*Chloé ZhaoSearchlight Pictures
First CowKelly ReichardtA24
Ma Rainey's Black BottomGeorge C. WolfeNetflix
MinariLee Isaac ChungA24
Never Rarely Sometimes AlwaysEliza HittmanFocus Features
*The Lost Daughter*Maggie GyllenhaalNetflix
A ChiaraJonas CarpignanoNeon
C’mon C’monMike MillsA24
The NoviceLauren HadawayIFC Films
ZolaJanicza BravoA24
*Everything Everywhere All at Once*Daniel Kwan and Daniel ScheinertA24
Bones and AllLuca GuadagninoMGM/United Artists Releasing
Our Father, the DevilEllie FoumbiResolve Media
TárTodd FieldFocus Features
Women TalkingSarah PolleyMGM/United Artists Releasing
*Past Lives*Celine SongA24
All of Us StrangersAndrew HaighSearchlight Pictures
American FictionCord JeffersonOrion Pictures/Amazon MGM Studios
May DecemberTodd HaynesNetflix
PassagesIra SachsMubi
We Grown NowMinhal BaigSony Pictures Classics
*Anora*Sean BakerNeon
I Saw the TV GlowJane SchoenbrunA24
Nickel BoysRaMell RossOrion Pictures/Amazon MGM Studios
Sing SingGreg KwedarA24
The SubstanceCoralie FargeatMubi
Peter Hujar's DayIra SachsJanus Films/Sideshow
The PlagueCharlie PolingerIndependent Film Company
Sorry, BabyEva VictorA24
Train DreamsClint BentleyNetflix
TwinlessJames SweeneyLionsgate Films/Roadside Attractions

Distributors with most wins and nominations (2 or more)

  • Columbia/Sony Pictures Classics - 20 (one win)
  • Fox Searchlight/Searchlight Pictures - 17 (eight wins)
  • A24 - 15 (four wins)
  • Universal/Focus Features - 13 (four wins)
  • Miramax - 9 (three wins)
  • Samuel Goldwyn - 8 (no wins)
  • Lionsgate - 8 (two wins)
  • Fine Line Features - 7 (two wins)
  • October Films - 7 (one win)
  • IFC Films - 6 (no wins)
  • MGM/United Artists/Amazon - 6 (one win)
  • New Line Cinema - 6 (one win)
  • Netflix - 6 (one win)
  • Paramount/Paramount Vantage - 5 (one win)
  • The Weinstein Company - 4 (two wins)
  • Orion Pictures - 4 (one win)
  • Warner Bros/Warner Independent Films - 3 (two wins)
  • Island Pictures - 3 (one win)
  • Neon - 3 (one win)
  • Artisan Entertainment - 3 (no wins)
  • New Yorker Films - 3 (no wins)
  • Bleecker Street - 2 (no wins)
  • Mubi - 2 (no wins)

References

References

  1. "FAQ".
  2. Hammond, Pete. (2022-08-23). "Spirit Awards Set 2023 Date, Go Gender-Neutral And Increase Budget Cap".
  3. [https://s3.amazonaws.com/SA_SubForm_etc/2019_SA_NomsWinners_092619.pdf Film Independent Spirit Awards - 34 Years of Nominees and Winners]
  4. (January 14, 2000). "'The Limey,' 'Election' Got the Spirit". Hollywood.com.
  5. (March 26, 2000). "'Election' Elected by Spirit Awards". Hollywood.com.
  6. (March 24, 2001). "Tiger Takes 3 Spirit Awards". ABC News.
  7. (March 23, 2002). ""Memento" Has the Spirit". E! Online.
  8. (March 22, 2003). ""Far From Heaven" Sweeps 2003 Independent Spirit Awards". [[IndieWire]].
  9. Hernandez, Eugene. (February 28, 2004). ""Lost In Translation" Tops Independent Spirit Awards, "Station Agent" Another Big Winner". [[IndieWire]].
  10. Hernandez, Eugene. (February 28, 2005). "Sideways Wins Six at Independent Spirit Awards". [[IndieWire]].
  11. Germain, David. (March 4, 2006). "'Brokeback' named best independent film". [[USA Today]].
  12. McNary, Dave. (February 24, 2007). "'Sunshine' brightens Spirit Awards". [[Variety (magazine).
  13. Siegel, Tatiana. (February 23, 2008). "'Juno' tops Spirit Awards". [[Variety (magazine).
  14. Brooks, Brian. (February 21, 2009). ""The Wrestler" Leads 2009 Spirit Award Winners". [[IndieWire]].
  15. Breznican, Anthony. (March 6, 2010). "'Precious' dominates Spirit Awards with 5 prizes". [[USA Today]].
  16. Knegt, Peter. (February 27, 2011). ""Black Swan" Lead Spirit Award Winners". [[IndieWire]].
  17. McNary, Dave. (February 25, 2012). "'The Artist' dominates Spirit Awards". [[Variety (magazine).
  18. (February 23, 2013). "Independent Spirit Awards 2013: Winners List". [[The Hollywood Reporter]].
  19. Atkinson, Katie. "Independent Spirit Awards 2014: The winners list".
  20. (February 21, 2015). "Spirit Awards 2015: The Complete Winners List".
  21. (February 27, 2016). "Spirit Awards 2016: Complete Winners List".
  22. Earl, William. (February 26, 2017). "2017 Independent Spirit Awards: Full Winners List".
  23. Nyren, Erin. (March 3, 2018). "2018 Independent Spirit Awards: Winners List (Updating Live)".
  24. Welk, Brian. (February 24, 2019). "Independent Spirit Awards 2019: Complete Winners List".
  25. (February 8, 2020). "Independent Spirit Awards Redresses Female Balance With Wins For Lulu Wang, Olivia Wilde & Julia Reichert – Complete Winners List".
  26. Grobar, Matt. (April 22, 2021). "'Nomadland' Wins Independent Spirit Awards For Best Picture, Director, Editing & Cinematography, Further Solidifying Oscars Prospects".
  27. Sharf, Zack. (April 23, 2021). "2021 Independent Spirit Awards Winner's List".
  28. (December 14, 2021). "Indie Spirit Awards 2022: Full List of Nominations". [[Variety (magazine).
  29. Davis, Clayton. (November 22, 2022). "Independent Spirit Awards Nominations: ‘Everything Everywhere’ Leads With Eight Noms". [[Variety (magazine).
  30. "Film Independent Spirit Awards (2024)".
  31. D'Alessandro, Anthony. (2024-12-04). "Spirit Awards Best Feature Nominees Include ‘Anora’, ‘I Saw The TV Glow’, ‘Nickel Boys’, ‘Sing Sing’ & ‘The Substance’".
  32. Lattanzio, Ryan. (December 4, 2024). "'Anora' and 'I Saw the TV Glow' Lead Spirit Award Noms with Six Each — See the Full List". [[IndieWire]].
  33. [https://variety.com/2025/film/news/spirit-awards-2026-nominations-1236596640/ Spirit Awards 2026 Nominations: Full List – Variety]
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