The nominations for the 41st Film Independent Spirit Awards have been unveiled, with Ira Sachs' "Peter Hujar's Day" emerging as the frontrunner. The film, which dramatises an interview with the celebrated 1970s photographer, secured an impressive five nominations.
Leading Contenders and Major Categories
Announced on Wednesday 3 December 2025, the nominations see "Peter Hujar's Day" competing for top honours including Best Feature and Best Director. Its stars, Ben Whishaw and Rebecca Hall, received nods for Best Lead and Best Supporting Performance respectively.
Hot on its heels with four nominations each are Clint Bentley's lyrical adaptation "Train Dreams" and Eva Victor's powerful drama "Sorry, Baby". Both films are also in contention for the Best Feature and Best Director prizes. The race for Best First Feature is highly competitive, with "Blue Sun Palace," "One of Them Days" and "Lurker" each earning four nominations.
Other films nominated for Best Feature include James Sweeney's dark comedy "Twinless" and "The Plague", the latter starring Joel Edgerton, who also appears in "Train Dreams".
Acting Honours and International Recognition
The gender-neutral acting categories, introduced in 2022, feature a diverse array of talent. The ten-strong Best Lead Performance list includes Joel Edgerton ("Train Dreams"), Rose Byrne, Dylan O'Brien, Keke Palmer, Tessa Thompson, and Ben Whishaw.
In the supporting categories, nominees feature established names and rising stars such as Naomi Ackie, Kirsten Dunst, Nina Hoss, and Jacob Tremblay.
The Robert Altman Award, honouring a film's director, casting director, and ensemble cast, was awarded to the Stephen King adaptation "The Long Walk," starring Mark Hamill, Cooper Hoffman, and David Jonsson.
This year's Spirit Awards showcase a truly global selection of cinema, with nominees hailing from 18 different countries. The organisation noted that 41% of nominees identify as women. The international film category includes "Sirāt," "The Secret Agent," and "On Becoming a Guinea Fowl."
Ceremony Details and Distinguishing Factors
The 41st edition marks a significant change of venue, moving from its long-time home near the Santa Monica Pier to the Hollywood Palladium. The event, which raises funds for Film Independent's year-round programmes, is scheduled for 15 February 2026, placing it nearly a month before the Oscars.
The Spirit Awards also honour television, with shows like "Adolescence," "Forever," and "Mr Loverman" leading the small-screen categories with four nominations each.
A key factor setting these awards apart is their eligibility criteria, which limits contenders to productions with budgets under $30 million. This rule ensures a focus on independent filmmaking, meaning major studio blockbusters like "One Battle After Another" are not in the running. This budget cap explains why the Spirit Awards sometimes align with Oscar winners, as seen with "Anora" and "Everything Everywhere All At Once," and sometimes diverge significantly.
