2026 Spirit Awards Winners: Full List of Indie Film & Breakthrough Performance Champions
- Je-Ree
- 5 minutes ago
- 3 min read
The 2026 Spirit Awards have officially spoken, and indie cinema fans have plenty to celebrate. From gripping features to breakout performances, the ceremony proved once again that independent films are where creativity, risk-taking, and raw talent collide. With buzz-worthy winners like Train Dreams, Lurker, and Adolescence, this year’s Spirit Awards have handed recognition to the rising stars and visionary filmmakers who are shaping the future of the small-screen and big-screen worlds alike.
The Spirit Awards have long been a bellwether for originality in storytelling, honoring films made outside the Hollywood studio machine while shining a spotlight on emerging talent. This year, the awards balanced the familiar and the fresh, rewarding powerhouse performances, inventive directors, and non-scripted projects that captured our attention. For viewers, cinephiles, and industry insiders, the 2026 Spirit Awards winners list is a map of where the next wave of must-watch films and shows is headed.
Standout Winners of the Night
The top honor for Best Feature went to Train Dreams, a riveting tale of survival and human connection. Clint Bentley, who also won Best Director for the film, delivered a cinematic experience that was both visually stunning and emotionally grounded, with Adolpho Veloso’s cinematography earning recognition for its sweeping, immersive imagery. Meanwhile, Lurker took home Best First Feature and Best First Screenplay, signaling Alex Russell as a creative voice to watch in indie filmmaking.
In acting categories, Rose Byrne’s powerhouse performance in If I Had Legs I’d Kick You secured Best Lead Performance, while Naomi Ackie earned Best Supporting Performance for Sorry, Baby. The Spirit Awards also celebrated emerging talent with Best Breakthrough Performance going to Kayo Martin in The Plague and Owen Cooper for Adolescence.
Documentary and international filmmaking weren’t left out. The Perfect Neighbor snagged Best Documentary, and Brazil’s The Secret Agent, directed by Kleber Mendonça Filho, was honored as Best International Film. Non-scripted series also made waves, with Pee-wee as Himself taking Best New Non-Scripted or Documentary Series and Adolescence winning Best New Scripted Series.
2026 Spirit Awards Winners Table
Category | Winner | Key Details |
Best Feature | Train Dreams | Producers: Michael Heimler, Will Janowitz, Marissa McMahon, Ashley Schlaifer, Teddy Schwarzman |
Best First Feature | Lurker | Director: Alex Russell; Producers: Galen Core, Archie Madekwe, Marc Marrie, Charlie McDowell, et al. |
John Cassavetes Award | Esta Isla (This Island) | Directors/Writers/Producers: Cristian Carretero, Lorraine Jones Molina; Writer: Kisha Tikina Burgos |
Best Director | Clint Bentley, Train Dreams | Cinematography by Adolpho Veloso |
Best Screenplay | Eva Victor, Sorry, Baby | |
Best First Screenplay | Alex Russell, Lurker | |
Best Lead Performance | Rose Byrne, If I Had Legs I’d Kick You | |
Best Supporting Performance | Naomi Ackie, Sorry, Baby | |
Best Breakthrough Performance | Kayo Martin, The Plague | |
Best Cinematography | Adolpho Veloso, Train Dreams | |
Best Editing | Sofía Subercaseaux, The Testament of Ann Lee | |
Robert Altman Award | The Long Walk | Director: Francis Lawrence; Casting Director: Rich Delia; Ensemble Cast |
Best Documentary | The Perfect Neighbor | Director/Producer: Geeta Gandbhir |
Best International Film | The Secret Agent | Director: Kleber Mendonça Filho (Brazil) |
Producers Award | Tony Yang | Emerging producer grant $25,000 |
Someone to Watch Award | Tatti Ribeiro, Valentina | Emerging filmmaker grant $25,000 |
Truer Than Fiction Award | Rajee Samarasinghe, Your Touch Makes Others Invisible | Emerging nonfiction director $25,000 |
Best New Non-Scripted Series | Pee-wee as Himself | Executive Producers: Matt Wolf, Emma Tillinger Koskoff, Benny Safdie, Josh Safdie, et al. |
Best New Scripted Series | Adolescence | Creators/Exec Producers: Jack Thorne, Stephen Graham |
This year’s Spirit Awards underline the vibrancy and relevance of independent cinema. Recognizing first-time filmmakers, breakout actors, and innovative non-scripted content signals a healthy, diverse ecosystem that’s unafraid to challenge traditional narratives. For viewers, it’s a roadmap of films and series worth streaming, supporting, and discussing.
From Train Dreams’ sweeping emotional journey to Adolescence’s sharp new scripted storytelling, the 2026 Spirit Awards winners list reads like a love letter to creativity and risk. It’s proof that in the indie world, fresh voices and bold visions still command attention, and that audiences are hungry for stories that aren’t afraid to push boundaries.
For cinephiles, aspiring filmmakers and pop culture obsessives, the Spirit Awards winners are must-see viewing and The TV Cave will be here to guide you through the best, the boldest, and the buzz-worthy moments of the year.
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