Independent Spirit Award for Best Film

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.

Independent Spirit Award for Best Film
Awarded forBest Independent Film
CountryUnited States
Presented byFilm Independent
First award1985
Currently held byTrain Dreams (2025)
Websitefilmindependent.org

Criteria

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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.[1] In 2022, Film Independent increased the budget cap for eligible films to $30 million to account for the rising cost of production.[2]

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

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1980s

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Year Winner Director(s) Distributing company(s)
1985
[3]
After Hours Martin Scorsese The Geffen Film Company/Warner Bros.
Blood SimpleJoel CoenCircle Films
Smooth TalkJoyce ChopraGoldcrest Films
The Trip to BountifulPeter MastersonIsland Pictures
1986 Platoon Oliver Stone Orion 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
1987 River's Edge Tim Hunter Island 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.
1988 Stand and Deliver Ramon Menendez American Playhouse/Warner Bros.
HairsprayJohn WatersNew Line Cinema
Patti RocksDavid Burton MorrisFilmDallas Pictures
The Thin Blue LineErrol MorrisMiramax Films
Torch Song TrilogyPaul BogartNew Line Cinema
1989 Sex, Lies, and Videotape Steven Soderbergh Miramax Films
Drugstore CowboyGus Van SantInternational Video Entertainment
Heat and SunlightRob NilssonSilverlight Pictures
Mystery TrainJim JarmuschOrion Classics
True LoveNancy SavocaUnited Artists

1990s

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Year Winner Director(s) Distributing company(s)
1990 The Grifters Stephen Frears Miramax 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
1991 Rambling Rose Martha Coolidge New 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
1992 The Player Robert Altman Fine Line Features
Bad LieutenantAbel FerraraAries Films
Gas Food LodgingAllison AndersCineville
Mississippi MasalaMira NairThe Samuel Goldwyn Company
One False MoveCarl FranklinI.R.S. Releasing
1993 Short Cuts Robert Altman Fine 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
1994 Pulp Fiction Quentin Tarantino Miramax 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
1995 Leaving Las Vegas Mike Figgis United Artists
The AddictionAbel FerraraOctober Films
Living in OblivionTom DiCilloSony Pictures Classics
SafeTodd HaynesSony Pictures Classics
The Secret of Roan InishJohn SaylesSony Pictures Classics
1996 Fargo Joel Coen Gramercy Pictures
Dead ManJim JarmuschMiramax Films
The FuneralAbel FerraraOctober Films
Lone StarJohn SaylesSony Pictures Classics
Welcome to the DollhouseTodd SolondzSony Pictures Classics
1997 The Apostle Robert Duvall October Films
Chasing AmyKevin SmithMiramax Films
LovedErin DignamMDP Worldwide
Ulee's GoldVictor NuñezOrion Pictures
Waiting for GuffmanChristopher GuestSony Pictures Classics
1998 Gods and Monsters Bill Condon Lionsgate Films
AfflictionPaul SchraderLionsgate Films
Claire DolanLodge KerriganNew Yorker Films
A Soldier's Daughter Never CriesJames IvoryOctober Films
Velvet GoldmineTodd HaynesMiramax Films
1999
[4][5]
Election Alexander Payne Paramount 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

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Year Winner Director(s) Distributing company(s)
2000
[6]
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon Ang Lee Sony 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
2001
[7]
Memento Christopher Nolan Newmarket 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
2002
[8]
Far from Heaven Todd Haynes Focus Features
The Good GirlMiguel ArtetaFox Searchlight
Lovely & AmazingNicole HolofcenerLionsgate Films
SecretarySteven Shainberg
TullyHilary BirminghamSmall Planet Pictures
2003
[9]
Lost in Translation Sofia Coppola Focus 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
2004
[10]
Sideways Alexander Payne Fox Searchlight
Baadasssss!Mario Van PeeblesSony Pictures Classics
KinseyBill CondonFox Searchlight
Maria Full of GraceJoshua MarstonFine Line Features
PrimerShane CarruthTHINKFilm
2005
[11]
Brokeback Mountain Ang Lee Focus 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
2006
[12]
Little Miss Sunshine Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris Fox Searchlight
American GunAric AvelinoIFC Films
The Dead GirlKaren MoncrieffFirst Look International
Half NelsonRyan FleckTHINKFilm
Pan's LabyrinthGuillermo del ToroPicturehouse
2007
[13]
Juno Jason Reitman Fox 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
2008
[14]
The Wrestler Darren Aronofsky Fox Searchlight
BallastLance HammerAlluvial Film Company
Frozen RiverCourtney HuntSony Pictures Classics
Rachel Getting MarriedJonathan Demme
Wendy and LucyKelly ReichardtOscilloscope Pictures
2009
[15]
Precious Lee Daniels Lionsgate
(500) Days of SummerMarc WebbFox Searchlight
AmreekaCherien DabisNational Geographic Entertainment
The Last StationMichael HoffmanSony Pictures Classics
Sin NombreCary FukunagaFocus Features

2010s

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Year Winner Director(s) Distributing company(s)
2010
[16]
Black Swan Darren Aronofsky Fox Searchlight
127 HoursDanny BoyleFox Searchlight
GreenbergNoah BaumbachFocus Features
The Kids Are All RightLisa Cholodenko
Winter's BoneDebra GranikRoadside Attractions
2011
[17]
The Artist Michel Hazanavicius The Weinstein Company
50/50Jonathan LevineSummit Entertainment
BeginnersMike MillsFocus Features
The DescendantsAlexander PayneFox Searchlight
DriveNicolas Winding RefnFilmDistrict
Take ShelterJeff NicholsSony Pictures Classics
2012
[18]
Silver Linings Playbook David O. Russell The Weinstein Company
Beasts of the Southern WildBenh ZeitlinFox Searchlight
BernieRichard LinklaterMillennium Entertainment
Keep the Lights OnIra SachsMusic Box Films
Moonrise KingdomWes AndersonFocus Features
2013
[19]
12 Years a Slave Steve McQueen Fox Searchlight
All Is LostJ. C. ChandorLionsgate
Frances HaNoah BaumbachIFC Films
Inside Llewyn DavisJoel Coen and Ethan CoenCBS Films
NebraskaAlexander PayneParamount Vantage
2014
[20]
Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) Alejandro G. Iñárritu Fox Searchlight
BoyhoodRichard LinklaterIFC Films
Love Is StrangeIra SachsSony Pictures Classics
SelmaAva DuVernayParamount Pictures
WhiplashDamien ChazelleSony Pictures Classics
2015
[21]
SpotlightTom McCarthyOpen Road Films
AnomalisaCharlie Kaufman and Duke JohnsonParamount Pictures
Beasts of No NationCary Joji FukunagaBleecker Street/Netflix
CarolTodd HaynesThe Weinstein Company
TangerineSean BakerMagnolia Pictures
2016
[22]
MoonlightBarry JenkinsA24
American HoneyAndrea ArnoldA24
ChronicMichel FrancoMonument Releasing
JackiePablo LarraínFox Searchlight
Manchester by the SeaKenneth LonerganAmazon Studios/Roadside Attractions
2017
[23]
Get OutJordan PeeleUniversal Pictures/Blumhouse Productions
Call Me by Your NameLuca GuadagninoSony Pictures Classics
The Florida ProjectSean BakerA24
Lady BirdGreta Gerwig
The RiderChloé ZhaoSony Pictures Classics
2018
[24]
If Beale Street Could TalkBarry JenkinsAnnapurna Pictures
Eighth GradeBo BurnhamA24
First ReformedPaul Schrader
Leave No TraceDebra GranikBleecker Street
You Were Never Really HereLynne RamsayAmazon Studios
2019
[25]
The FarewellLulu WangA24
A Hidden LifeTerrence MalickFox Searchlight
ClemencyChinonye ChukwuNeon
Marriage StoryNoah BaumbachNetflix
Uncut GemsBenny Safdie and Joshua SafdieA24

2020s

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Year Winner Director(s) Distributing company(s)
2020
[26][27]
NomadlandChloé ZhaoSearchlight Pictures
First CowKelly ReichardtA24
Ma Rainey's Black BottomGeorge C. WolfeNetflix
MinariLee Isaac ChungA24
Never Rarely Sometimes AlwaysEliza HittmanFocus Features
2021
[28]
The Lost DaughterMaggie GyllenhaalNetflix
A Chiara Jonas Carpignano Neon
C’mon C’mon Mike Mills A24
The Novice Lauren Hadaway IFC Films
Zola Janicza Bravo A24
2022
[29]
Everything Everywhere All at Once Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert A24
Bones and AllLuca GuadagninoMGM/United Artists Releasing
Our Father, the DevilEllie FoumbiResolve Media
TárTodd FieldFocus Features
Women TalkingSarah PolleyMGM/United Artists Releasing
2023
[30]
Past Lives Celine Song A24
All of Us Strangers Andrew Haigh Searchlight Pictures
American Fiction Cord Jefferson Orion Pictures/Amazon MGM Studios
May December Todd Haynes Netflix
Passages Ira Sachs Mubi
We Grown Now Minhal Baig Sony Pictures Classics
2024
[31][32]
Anora Sean Baker Neon
I Saw the TV Glow Jane Schoenbrun A24
Nickel Boys RaMell Ross Orion Pictures/Amazon MGM Studios
Sing Sing Greg Kwedar A24
The Substance Coralie Fargeat Mubi
2025
[33]
Train Dreams Clint Bentley Netflix
Peter Hujar's Day Ira Sachs Janus Films/Sideshow
The Plague Charlie Polinger Independent Film Company
Sorry, Baby Eva Victor A24
Twinless James Sweeney Lionsgate Films/Roadside Attractions

Distributors with most wins and nominations (2 or more)

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  • 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 (two wins)
  • 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

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  1. "FAQ". Film Independent. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
  2. Hammond, Pete (2022-08-23). "Spirit Awards Set 2023 Date, Go Gender-Neutral And Increase Budget Cap". Deadline. Retrieved 2023-10-17.
  3. Film Independent Spirit Awards - 34 Years of Nominees and Winners
  4. "'The Limey,' 'Election' Got the Spirit". Hollywood.com. January 14, 2000. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  5. "'Election' Elected by Spirit Awards". Hollywood.com. March 26, 2000. Retrieved August 17, 2012.
  6. "Tiger Takes 3 Spirit Awards". ABC News. March 24, 2001. Retrieved August 19, 2012.
  7. ""Memento" Has the Spirit". E! Online. March 23, 2002. Retrieved August 19, 2012.
  8. Hernandez, Eugene; Brooks, Brian (March 22, 2003). ""Far From Heaven" Sweeps 2003 Independent Spirit Awards". IndieWire. Retrieved August 20, 2012.
  9. Hernandez, Eugene (February 28, 2004). ""Lost In Translation" Tops Independent Spirit Awards, "Station Agent" Another Big Winner". IndieWire. Retrieved August 20, 2012.
  10. Hernandez, Eugene (February 28, 2005). "Sideways Wins Six at Independent Spirit Awards". IndieWire. Retrieved August 21, 2012.
  11. Germain, David (March 4, 2006). "'Brokeback' named best independent film". USA Today. Retrieved August 21, 2012.
  12. McNary, Dave (February 24, 2007). "'Sunshine' brightens Spirit Awards". Variety. Retrieved August 21, 2012.
  13. Siegel, Tatiana (February 23, 2008). "'Juno' tops Spirit Awards". Variety. Retrieved August 22, 2012.
  14. Brooks, Brian (February 21, 2009). ""The Wrestler" Leads 2009 Spirit Award Winners". IndieWire. Retrieved August 25, 2012.
  15. Breznican, Anthony (March 6, 2010). "'Precious' dominates Spirit Awards with 5 prizes". USA Today. Retrieved August 25, 2012.
  16. Knegt, Peter (February 27, 2011). ""Black Swan" Lead Spirit Award Winners". IndieWire. Retrieved August 25, 2012.
  17. McNary, Dave (February 25, 2012). "'The Artist' dominates Spirit Awards". Variety. Retrieved August 26, 2012.
  18. "Independent Spirit Awards 2013: Winners List". The Hollywood Reporter. February 23, 2013. Retrieved February 23, 2013.
  19. Atkinson, Katie. "Independent Spirit Awards 2014: The winners list". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on February 26, 2020. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  20. "Spirit Awards 2015: The Complete Winners List". The Hollywood Reporter. February 21, 2015. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  21. "Spirit Awards 2016: Complete Winners List". Variety. February 27, 2016. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  22. Earl, William (February 26, 2017). "2017 Independent Spirit Awards: Full Winners List". IndieWire. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  23. Nyren, Erin (March 3, 2018). "2018 Independent Spirit Awards: Winners List (Updating Live)". Variety. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  24. Welk, Brian (February 24, 2019). "Independent Spirit Awards 2019: Complete Winners List". TheWrap. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  25. D'Alessandro, Anthony; Blyth, Antonia (February 8, 2020). "Independent Spirit Awards Redresses Female Balance With Wins For Lulu Wang, Olivia Wilde & Julia Reichert – Complete Winners List". Deadline. Retrieved February 9, 2020.
  26. Grobar, Matt (April 22, 2021). "'Nomadland' Wins Independent Spirit Awards For Best Picture, Director, Editing & Cinematography, Further Solidifying Oscars Prospects". Deadline. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
  27. Sharf, Zack (April 23, 2021). "2021 Independent Spirit Awards Winner's List". IndieWire. Retrieved December 24, 2021.
  28. Long, Brent; Tangcay, Jazz (December 14, 2021). "Indie Spirit Awards 2022: Full List of Nominations". Variety. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  29. Davis, Clayton (November 22, 2022). "Independent Spirit Awards Nominations: 'Everything Everywhere' Leads With Eight Noms". Variety. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  30. "Film Independent Spirit Awards (2024)". IMDb. Retrieved 2024-02-25.
  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'". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-12-04.
  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. Retrieved December 5, 2024.
  33. Spirit Awards 2026 Nominations: Full List – Variety
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