Film Independent top brass said on Tuesday that the Berlinale has become a qualifying festival for the group’s Spirit Awards starting in 2027.
Next year’s awards show will also feature new categories honouring best international first feature and digital creators.
All official 2026 Berlinale selections are now eligible for consideration in the documentary and international categories at next year’s Spirit Awards. Contenders must meet Film Independent’s eligibility criteria and carry a sub-$30m budget and run to at least 70 minutes.
The nominating committee will consider Berlinale documentary submissions for the best documentary category, and international submissions for best international feature. A directorial debut will also be considered for the new best international first feature category.
Films cannot contend in both categories and the nominating committee will determine which category is a better fit.
The news Digital Creator Award joins the Someone to Watch, Truer Than Fiction and Producers Award as one of Film Independent’s Emerging Filmmaker Awards.
The winner will receive a $25,000 unrestricted grant. Film Independent developed the award in collaboration with renowned creator Max Reisinger, the CEO and co-founder of Creator Camp.
Film Independent will announce nominations on December 2 and the show is scheduled for March 6, 2027. Emerging Filmmaker Awards are presented on January 9, 2027. Submissions for all categories are open through October.
The group’s president Juan Devis said of the changes: “They reaffirm our commitment to discovering and championing new voices throughout their creative journey, and a future for independent film as exciting as its past.”
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