Film Independent Announces Nominations for 40th Annual Spirit Awards: Celebrating Independent Voices in Film and Television
Film Independent, the nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering independence and inclusivity in visual storytelling, has announced the nominees for the 40th annual Film Independent Spirit Awards. The milestone celebration honors a new crop of incredible artists, along with the legacy of those who have been celebrated in the past. This year’s nominations continue the Spirit Awards’ tradition of recognizing creativity, diversity, and unique perspectives in independent film and television.
Leading the film categories are Anora and I Saw the TV Glow, both with six nominations. In television, Shōgun leads with five nominations, followed by Baby Reindeer and English Teacher, each with four. The nominations, revealed in a special video announcement, highlight the best of independent storytelling across both mediums.
A Look Back and Forward
Film Independent has been a cornerstone of the independent film industry for decades. From its first ceremony in 1985 to last year’s globally broadcast event, the Spirit Awards have supported filmmakers at every stage of their careers. Josh Welsh, President of Film Independent, expressed excitement about this year’s nominees, emphasizing the importance of the Spirit Awards in elevating voices in independent film: “As with the legendary artists from that inaugural event, we’re thrilled to be honoring this group of creatives as they continue this proud legacy.”
In addition to honoring established artists, the Spirit Awards have become a critical platform for emerging filmmakers. Since its inception, the awards have propelled the careers of filmmakers like Joel Coen, Spike Lee, Ryan Coogler, and Robert Rodriguez, among many others. With the inclusion of gender-neutral acting categories and a commitment to embracing diverse voices, the Spirit Awards continue to evolve, providing a more inclusive and accurate representation of the film and television industry.
40th Anniversary Ceremony Details
The 40th Annual Film Independent Spirit Awards will be hosted by Aidy Bryant and held on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at Santa Monica Beach. The event will be streamed live across various platforms, including IMDb and Film Independent’s YouTube channel.
The Spirit Awards are also Film Independent’s primary fundraiser, supporting their year-round programs that nurture emerging filmmakers and promote creative independence. These programs are vital in ensuring that diverse and innovative voices continue to thrive in the independent sector.
Notable Nominations
This year’s nominations feature an inspiring group of nominees, including Sing Sing, which earned nods for Best Feature and Best Cinematography, with Monique Walton also nominated for Best Feature. His Three Daughters, directed by Azazel Jacobs, will receive the Robert Altman Award, which honors a film’s director, casting director, and ensemble cast.
Other major Best Feature nominees include Anora, I Saw the TV Glow, Nickel Boys, and The Substance. These films represent the wide range of stories and voices that make independent cinema so dynamic.
On the television side, the nominees for Best New Scripted Series include Baby Reindeer, Diarra from Detroit, English Teacher, Fantasmas, and Shōgun. Meanwhile, Erased: WW2’s Heroes of Color, Hollywood Black, Photographer, Ren Faire, and Social Studies are up for Best New Non-Scripted or Documentary Series.
A Commitment to Diversity
In keeping with Film Independent’s commitment to diversity, 46% of this year’s nominees are women, and 30% are BIPOC. In fact, 43% of the nominated writers, directors, and producers are women, and 24% are BIPOC. These statistics reflect the increasing diversity in independent film and television, which continues to shape the industry for the better.
The Spirit Awards Nominating Committees, made up of a diverse group of industry professionals, carefully selected nominees from more than 17 countries. With an emphasis on originality, bold subject matter, and an economy of means, the Spirit Awards continue to recognize work that challenges the status quo and pushes the boundaries of storytelling.
How to Vote
As always, Film Independent members are eligible to vote for the winners. To cast a vote, members must be current by December 18, 2024. To become a member and participate in the Spirit Awards voting process, visit Film Independent’s Join Page.
Full List of Nominees
Best Feature
- Anora
- I Saw the TV Glow
- Nickel Boys
- Sing Sing
- The Substance
Best Director
- Ali Abbasi – The Apprentice
- Sean Baker – Anora
- Brady Corbet – The Brutalist
- Alonso Ruizpalacios – La Cocina
- Jane Schoenbrun – I Saw the TV Glow
Best Screenplay
- Scott Beck, Bryan Woods – Heretic
- Jesse Eisenberg – A Real Pain
- Megan Park – My Old Ass
- Aaron Schimberg – A Different Man
- Jane Schoenbrun – I Saw the TV Glow
Best Lead Performance
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SingSing_ColmanDomingo_DominicLeon_0049_RC
(L-R) Colman Domingo Credit: Dominic Leon
- Amy Adams – Nightbitch
- Ryan Destiny – The Fire Inside
- Colman Domingo – Sing Sing
- Keith Kupferer – Ghostlight
- Mikey Madison – Anora
- Demi Moore – The Substance
- Hunter Schafer – Cuckoo
- Justice Smith – I Saw the TV Glow
- June Squibb – Thelma
- Sebastian Stan – The Apprentice
Best Supporting Performance
- Yura Borisov – Anora
- Joan Chen – Dìdi
- Kieran Culkin – A Real Pain
- Danielle Deadwyler – The Piano Lesson
- Carol Kane – Between the Temples
- Karren Karagulian – Anora
- Kani Kusruti – Girls Will Be Girls
- Brigette Lundy-Paine – I Saw the TV Glow
- Clarence “Divine Eye” Maclin – Sing Sing
- Adam Pearson – A Different Man
Best Breakthrough Performance
- Isaac Krasner – Big Boys
- Katy O’Brian – Love Lies Bleeding
- Mason Alexander Park – National Anthem
- René Pérez Joglar – In the Summers
- Maisy Stella – My Old Ass
Best Cinematography
- Dinh Duy Hung – Inside the Yellow Cocoon Shell
- Jomo Fray – Nickel Boys
- Maria von Hausswolff – Janet Planet
- Juan Pablo Ramírez – La Cocina
- Rina Yang – The Fire Inside
Robert Altman Award
- His Three Daughters – Director: Azazel Jacobs
- Casting Director: Nicole Arbusto
- Ensemble Cast: Jovan Adepo, Jasmine Bracey, Carrie Coon, Jose Febus, Rudy Galvan, Natasha Lyonne, Elizabeth Olsen, Randy Ramos Jr., Jay O. Sanders
The 40th Annual Film Independent Spirit Awards will take place on February 22, 2025, at Santa Monica Beach, and will be streamed live on IMDb and Film Independent’s YouTube channel.
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