Spirit Awards Nominations: ‘Peter Hujar’s Day’ Leads Film Nominees With Five Nods

The 2026 Film Independent Spirit nominations have been revealed. Peter Hujar’s Day topped the film nominees with five nods, followed by a number of films that each scored four nominations: Blue Sun Palace; Lurker; One of Them Days; Sorry, Baby; and Train Dreams. Lucky Lu, The Plague and Twinless each received three nods. In the TV categories, Adolescence, Forever and Mr Loverman lead with four nominations apiece. Peter Hujar’s Day; The Plague; Sorry, Baby; Train Dreams; and Twinless are all nominated for the top prize of best feature. Francis Lawrence’s The Long Walk, meanwhile, will receive the Robert Altman Award, given to a film’s director, casting director and ensemble cast. Related Stories Adolescence, Forever and Mr Loverman are all nominated for best new scripted series, alongside Common Side Effects and North of North. “The distinguished and inspired work produced by our nominated artists this year shows both the incredible breadth and the essential nature of independent art being created today,” Film Independent acting president Brenda Robinson said in a statement. “These artists brilliantly demonstrate that there is no limit to the places where storytellers are able to find drama, humor and beauty, all while challenging audiences to stay engaged and curious, to protect the space where independent art can thrive.” The 41st is set to take place on Feb. 15 from the Hollywood Palladium after 40 years in a tent on the beach in Santa Monica. The show will be streamed live on the Film Independent and IMDb YouTube channels and other social platforms. Since 2023 the has recognized performers in gender-neutral categories. This year’s Spirit Awards nominees come from 18 different countries and their budgets range from $35,000 to $20 million. Forty one percent of this year’s nominees are women and 33 percent are Black, Indigenous or people of color. Anora was the big winner at the 2025 Spirit Awards earlier this year, winning three awards, including the top prize of best feature ahead of its Oscars best picture win and dominant performance. Read on for a full list of the 2026 Spirit Awards nominations across film and TV. Best Feature Peter Hujar’s DayProducers: Jonah Disend, Jordan Drake The PlagueProducers: Derek Dauchy, Joel Edgerton, Roy Lee, Lucy McKendrick, Steven Schneider, Lizzie Shapiro Sorry, BabyProducers: Mark Ceryak, Barry Jenkins, Adele Romanski Train DreamsProducers: Michael Heimler, Will Janowitz, Marissa McMahon, Ashley Schlaifer, Teddy Schwarzman TwinlessProducers: David Permut, James Sweeney Best First Feature (Award given to director and producer) Blue Sun PalaceDirector: Constance TsangProducers: Sally Sujin Oh, Eli Raskin, Tony Yang Dust BunnyDirector/Producer: Bryan FullerProducers: Basil Iwanyk, Erica Lee East of WallDirector/Producer: Kate BeecroftProducers: Shannon Moss, Melanie Ramsayer, Lila Yacoub LurkerDirector: Alex RussellProducers: Galen Core, Archie Madekwe, Marc Marrie, Charlie McDowell, Francesco Melzi D’Eril, Duncan Montgomery, Alex Orlovsky, Olmo Schnabel, Jack Selby One of Them DaysDirector: Lawrence LamontProducers: Deniese Davis, Poppy Hanks, James Lopez, Issa Rae, Sara Rastogi John Cassavetes Award Given to the best feature made for under $1,000,000. (Award given to the writer, director and producer) The BaltimoronsDirector/Writer/Producer: Jay DuplassWriter/Producer: Michael StrassnerProducers: David Bonnett Jr., Drew Langer Boys Go to JupiterDirector/Writer: Julian Glander EephusDirector/Writer/Producer: Carson LundWriter/Producer: Michael BastaWriter: Nate FisherProducers: David Entin, Tyler Taormina Esta Isla (This Island)Directors/Writers/Producers: Cristian Carretero, Lorraine Jones MolinaWriter: Kisha Tikina Burgos Familiar TouchDirector/Writer/Producer: Sarah FriedlandProducers: Alexandra Byer, Matthew Thurm Best Director Clint Bentley, Train DreamsMary Bronstein, If I Had Legs I’d Kick YouLloyd Lee Choi, Lucky LuIra Sachs, Peter Hujar’s DayEva Victor, Sorry, Baby Best Screenplay Michael Angelo Covino, Kyle Marvin, SplitsvilleAngus MacLachlan, A Little PrayerJames Sweeney, TwinlessChristian Swegal, SovereignEva Victor, Sorry, Baby Best First Screenplay Andrew DeYoung, FriendshipElena Oxman, OuterlandsAlex Russell, LurkerSyreeta Singleton, One of Them DaysConstance Tsang, Blue Sun Palace Best Lead Performance Everett Blunck, The PlagueRose Byrne, If I Had Legs I’d Kick YouKathleen Chalfant, Familiar TouchChang Chen, Lucky LuJoel Edgerton, Train DreamsDylan O’Brien, TwinlessKeke Palmer, One of Them DaysThéodore Pellerin, LurkerTessa Thompson, HeddaBen Whishaw, Peter Hujar’s Day Best Supporting Performance Naomi Ackie, Sorry, BabyZoey Deutch, Nouvelle VagueKirsten Dunst, RoofmanRebecca Hall, Peter Hujar’s DayNina Hoss, HeddaJane Levy, A Little PrayerArchie Madekwe, LurkerKali Reis, RebuildingJacob Tremblay, SovereignHaipeng Xu, Blue Sun Palace Best Breakthrough Performance Liz Larsen, The BaltimoronsMisha Osherovich, She’s the HeKayo Martin, The PlagueSZA, One of Them DaysTabatha Zimiga, East of Wall Best Cinematography Alex Ashe, Peter Hujar’s DayNorm Li, Blue Sun PalaceDavid J. Thompson, WarfareAdolpho Veloso, Train DreamsNicole Hirsch Whitaker, Dust Bunny Best Editing Ben Leonberg, Good BoyCarson Lund, EephusFin Oates, WarfareSara Shaw, SplitsvilleSofía Subercaseaux, The Testament of Ann Lee Robert Altman Award (Award given to one film’s director, casting director and ensemble cast) The Long WalkDirector: Francis LawrenceCasting Director: Rich DeliaEnsemble Cast: Judy Greer, Mark Hamill, Cooper Hoffman, David Jonsson, Tut Nyuot, Joshua Odjick, Charlie Plummer, Ben Wang, Garrett Wareing Best Documentary (Award given to the director and producer) Come See Me in the Good LightDirector/Producer: Ryan WhiteProducers: Jessica Hargrave, Tig Notaro, Stef Willen Endless CookieDirector: Peter ScriverDirector/Producer: Seth ScriverProducers: Dan Bekerman, Alex Ordanis, Jason Ryle, Chris Yurkovich My Undesirable Friends: Part I – Last Air in MoscowDirector/Producer: Julia Loktev The Perfect NeighborDirector/Producer: Geeta GandbhirProducers: Sam Bisbee, Nikon Kwantu, Alisa Payne The Tale of SilyanDirector/Producer: Tamara KotevskaProducers: Jean Dakar, Anna Hashmi, Jordanco Petkovski Best International Film (Award given to the director) All That’s Left of YouPalestine, Jordan, Germany, CyprusDirector: Cherien Dabis On Becoming a Guinea FowlZambia, UK, IrelandDirector: Rungano Nyoni A PoetColombiaDirector: Simón Mesa Soto The Secret AgentBrazilDirector: Kleber Mendonça Filho SirātSpainDirector: Oliver Laxe Producers Award  The Producers Award, now in its 29th year, honors an emerging producer who, despite highly limited resources, demonstrates the creativity, tenacity and vision required to produce quality independent films. This award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant. Emma Hannaway Luca Intili Tony Yang Someone to Watch Award   The Someone to Watch Award, now in its 32nd year, recognizes a talented filmmaker of singular vision who has not yet received appropriate recognition. This award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant. Tatti Ribeiro, director of Valentina Neo Sora, director of Happyend Annapurna Sriram, director of Fucktoys Truer Than Fiction Award The Truer Than Fiction Award, now in its 31st year, is presented to an emerging director of non-fiction features who has not yet received significant recognition. This award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant. Tony Benna, director of André is an Idiot Rajee Samarasinghe, director of Your Touch Makes Others Invisible Brittany Shyne, director of Seeds Best New Non-Scripted or Documentary Series (Award given to the creator, executive producer and co-executive producer) Citizen NationCreator: Bret SiglerExecutive Producers: Christopher Buck, Kyra Darnton Hurricane Katrina: Race Against TimeExecutive Producers: Jonathan Chinn, Simon Chinn, Ryan Coogler, Myles Estey, Ted Skillman, Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian, Peter Nicks, Kalia King, Carolyn Payne, Sean David JohnsonCo-Executive Producer: Kelli Buchanan Pee-wee as HimselfExecutive Producers: Matt Wolf, Emma Tillinger Koskoff, Ronald Bronstein, Eli Bush, Benny Safdie, Josh Safdie, Paul Reubens, Candace Tomarken, Kyle Martin, Nancy Abraham, Lisa Heller, Sara Rodriguez Seen & Heard: The History of Black TelevisionExecutive Producers: Issa Rae, Montrel McKay, John Maggio, Rachel Dretzin, John Ealer, Jonathan Berry, Dave Becky, Nancy Abraham, Lisa Heller, Sara RodriguezCo-Executive Producers: Esther Dere, Zachary Herrmann Vow of Silence: The Assassination of Annie MaeExecutive Producers: Ezra Edelman, Caroline Waterlow, Amy Kaufman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Riva MarkerCo-Executive Producer: Mark Becker Best New Scripted Series (Award given to the creator, executive producer and co-executive producer) AdolescenceCreators/Executive Producers: Jack Thorne, Stephen GrahamExecutive Producers: Philip Barantini, Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Nina Wolarsky, Hannah Walters, Mark Herbert, Emily FellerCo-Executive Producers: Carina Sposato, Niall Shamma, Peter Balm Common Side EffectsCreators/Executive Producers: Joe Bennett, Steve HelyExecutive Producers: Mike Judge, Greg Daniels, Dustin Davis, James Merrill, Sean Buckelew, Benjy Brooke, Kelly Crews, Suzanna MakkosCo-Executive Producer: Dave King ForeverCreator/Executive Producer: Mara Brock AkilExecutive Producers: Regina King, Susie Fitzgerald, Shana C. Waterman, Reina King, Anthony Hemingway, Judy Blume, Erika Harrison, Sara E. WhiteCo-Executive Producer: Jerron Horton Mr LovermanExecutive Producers: Lennie James, Hong Khaou, Jo McClellan, Faye Ward, Hannah Farrell, Hannah Price North of NorthCreators/Executive Producers: Stacey Aglok MacDonald, Alethea Arnaquq-BarilExecutive Producers: Garry Campbell, Anya Adams, Susan Coyne, Miranda de PencierCo-Executive Producers: Teresa M. Ho, Michael Goldbach, Kathryn Borel Jr., JP Larocque Best Lead Performance in a New Scripted Series Sydney Chandler, Alien: EarthStephen Graham, AdolescenceEthan Hawke, The LowdownLennie James, Mr LovermanAnna Lambe, North of NorthLola Petticrew, Say NothingSeth Rogen, The StudioLovie Simone, ForeverMichelle Williams, Dying for SexNoah Wyle, The Pitt Best Supporting Performance in a New Scripted Series Ariyon Bakare, Mr LovermanBabou Ceesay, Alien: EarthSharon D. Clarke, Mr LovermanTaylor Dearden, The PittErin Doherty, AdolescenceStephen McKinley Henderson, A Man on the InsidePoorna Jagannathan, Deli BoysXosha Roquemore, ForeverJenny Slate, Dying for SexBen Whishaw, Black Doves Best Breakthrough Performance in a New Scripted Series Asif Ali, Deli BoysWally Baram, OvercompensatingOwen Cooper, AdolescenceMichael Cooper Jr., ForeverErnest Kingsley Junior, Washington Black Best Ensemble Cast in a New Scripted Series Chief of War Ensemble Cast: Charlie Brumbly, Luciane Buchanan, Cliff Curtis, Brandon Finn, Moses Goods, Te Ao o Hinepehinga, Benjamin Hoetjes, Siua Ikale’o, Keala Kahuanui-Paleka, Mainei Kinimaka, Kaina Makua, Jason Momoa, Temuera Morrison, Te Kohe Tuhaka, James Udom

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