Film Independent honored the best in independent film and television at the 2025 Film Independent Spirit Awards. Anora led the night with three major wins, including Best Feature, Best Director for Sean Baker, and Best Lead Performance for Mikey Madison.
Hosted for the second consecutive year by acclaimed comedian Aidy Bryant, the ceremony was broadcast live on IMDb’s and Film Independent’s YouTube channels. The Spirit Awards remain Film Independent’s largest annual event, fueling year-round programming that empowers filmmakers and enriches audiences with diverse and original voices.
This year’s ceremony marked a milestone—the 40th anniversary of Film Independent—by celebrating not only the achievements of the past year but also the organization’s rich legacy of supporting independent artists. The evening included a heartfelt tribute to Josh Welsh, the beloved longtime president of Film Independent, who passed away following a courageous five-year battle with cancer.
Major Award Winners
Leading the film categories, Anora won three top awards, including Best Feature, Best Director for Sean Baker, and Best Lead Performance for Mikey Madison. Other notable film winners included:
- A Real Pain – Best Supporting Performance (Kieran Culkin) and Best Screenplay (Jesse Eisenberg)
- My Old Ass – Best Breakthrough Performance (Maisy Stella)
- Dìdi – Best First Feature and Best First Screenplay (Sean Wang)
- Flow – Best International Film
- No Other Land – Best Documentary
- Nickel Boys – Best Cinematography (Jomo Fray)
- September 5 – Best Editing (Hansjörg Weissbrich)
On the television side, Baby Reindeer took home three major awards, including Best Lead Performance in a New Scripted Series (Richard Gadd), Best Supporting Performance in a New Scripted Series (Nava Mau), and Best Breakthrough Performance in a New Scripted Series (Jessica Gunning). Other TV winners included:
- Shōgun – Best New Scripted Series
- Hollywood Black – Best New Non-Scripted or Documentary Series
- How to Die Alone – Best Ensemble Cast in a New Scripted Series
Special Honors and Industry Recognitions
The 17th annual Robert Altman Award, celebrating excellence in ensemble casting, was presented to His Three Daughters, directed by Azazel Jacobs, with casting director Nicole Arbusto and ensemble cast members Jovan Adepo, Jasmine Bracey, Carrie Coon, Jose Febus, Rudy Galvan, Natasha Lyonne, Elizabeth Olsen, Randy Ramos Jr., and Jay O. Sanders.
The John Cassavetes Award, recognizing the best feature made for under $1,000,000, went to Girls Will Be Girls. Additional previously announced honors included:
- Someone to Watch Award: Sarah Friedland (Familiar Touch), honoring an emerging filmmaker with a distinct vision.
- Truer Than Fiction Award: Rachel Elizabeth Seed (A Photographic Memory), recognizing a rising voice in documentary filmmaking.
- Producers Award: Sarah Winshall, celebrating her innovation and perseverance in producing independent films with limited resources.
As always, winners of the Film Independent Spirit Awards are determined by the organization’s Members, with membership open to the public.
The following is a complete list of the winners
FILM CATEGORIES
Best Feature
Anora (NEON)
Producers: Sean Baker, Alex Coco, Samantha Quan
Best Director
Sean Baker, Anora (NEON)
Best Screenplay
Jesse Eisenberg, A Real Pain (Searchlight Pictures)
Best First Feature
Dìdi (Focus Features)
Director: Sean Wang
Producers: Valerie Bush, Carlos López Estrada, Josh Peters
Best First Screenplay
Sean Wang, Dìdi (Focus Features)
John Cassavetes Award
(for best feature made under $1,000,000)
Girls Will Be Girls (Juno Films)
Writer/Director/Producer: Shuchi Talati
Producers: Richa Chadha, Claire Chassagne
Best Breakthrough Performance
Maisy Stella, My Old Ass (Amazon MGM Studios)
Best Supporting Performance
Kieran Culkin, A Real Pain (Searchlight Pictures)
Best Lead Performance
Mikey Madison, Anora (NEON)
Robert Altman Award
His Three Daughters (Netflix)
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
Best Cinematography
Jomo Fray, Nickel Boys (Amazon MGM Studios)
Best Editing
Hansjörg Weissbrich, September 5 (Paramount Pictures)
Best International Film
Flow (Sideshow and Janus Films)
Director: Gints Zilbalodis
Best Documentary
No Other Land
Director: Yuval Abraham, Basel Adra, Hamdan Ballal, Rachel Szor
Producer: Fabien Greenberg, Bård Kjøge Rønning
Someone to Watch
Sarah Friedland, Familiar Touch
Truer Than Fiction
Rachel Elizabeth Seed, A Photographic Memory
Producers Award
Sarah Winshall
TELEVISION CATEGORIES
Best New Scripted Series
Shōgun (FX)
Creators/Executive Producers: Rachel Kondo, Justin Marks
Executive Producers: Edward L. McDonnell, Michael De Luca, Michael Clavell
Co-Executive Producers: Shannon Goss, Andrew Macdonald, Allon Reich, Jamie Vega Wheeler
Best New Non-Scripted or Documentary Series
Hollywood Black (MGM+)
Executive Producers: Shayla Harris, Dave Sirulnick, Stacey Reiss, Jon Kamen, Justin Simien, Kyle Laursen, Forest Whitaker, Nina Yang Bongiovi, Jeffrey Schwarz, Amy Goodman Kass, Michael Wright, Jill Burkhard
Co-Executive Producers: David C. Brown, Laurens Grant
Best Supporting Performance in a New Scripted Series
Nava Mau, Baby Reindeer (Netflix)
Best Lead Performance in a New Scripted Series
Richard Gadd, Baby Reindeer (Netflix)
Best Breakthrough Performance in a New Scripted Series
Jessica Gunning, Baby Reindeer (Netflix)
Best Ensemble Cast in a New Scripted Series
How to Die Alone (Hulu)
Ensemble Cast: Melissa DuPrey, Jaylee Hamidi, KeiLyn Durrel Jones, Arkie Kandola, Elle Lorraine, Michelle McLeod, Chris “CP” Powell, Conrad Ricamora, Natasha Rothwell, Jocko Sims
REELated:
Sean Baker wins top honors at DGA Awards for Anora
