Clint Bentley’s Train Dreams at Netflix was the big winner at the 2026 Spirit Awards on Sunday (February 15), earning best film, director, and cinematography.
Rose Byrne won best lead performance for A24’s If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, and A24’s Sorry, Baby earned a best supporting performance award for Naomi Ackie and best screenplay for Eva Victor. The Secret Agent, distributed by Neon in the US, was named best international film.
Lurker at Mubi won best first feature and best first screenplay for Alex Russell, Kayo Martin won best breakthrough performance for The Plague at Independent Film Company, and Netflix’s The Perfect Neighbor won best documentary. Sofía Subercaseaux won the editing award for Searchlight Pictures’ The Testament Of Ann Lee.
In the television categories, Adolescence won four awards – the most for any show since the Spirit Awards began recognising television in 2021.
The Netflix show won for best new scripted series, as well as acting awards for Stephen Graham, Erin Doherty, and Owen Cooper.
Film Independent’s 41st awards ceremony was broadcast live on Film Independent’s YouTube channels and hosted by comedian Ego Nwodim.
2026 winners list:
FILM CATEGORIES
Best Feature
Train Dreams (Netflix)
Best Director
Clint Bentley, Train Dreams (Netflix)
Best Screenplay
Eva Victor, Sorry, Baby (A24)
Best First Feature
Lurker (MUBI)
Best First Screenplay
Alex Russell, Lurker (MUBI)
John Cassavetes Award (for best feature made under $1,000,000)
Esta Isla (This Island)
Writers/Directors/Producers: Cristian Carretero, Lorraine Jones Molina
Best Breakthrough Performance
Kayo Martin, The Plague (Independent Film Company)
Best Supporting Performance
Naomi Ackie, Sorry, Baby (A24)
Best Lead Performance
Rose Byrne, If I Had Legs I’d Kick You (A24)
Robert Altman Award
The Long Walk (Lionsgate)
Director: Francis Lawrence
Best Cinematography
Adolpho Veloso, Train Dreams (Netflix)
Best Editing
Sofía Subercaseaux, The Testament of Ann Lee (Searchlight Pictures)
Best International Film
The Secret Agent (Neon)
Best Documentary
The Perfect Neighbor (Netflix)
Someone to Watch
Tatti Ribeiro, Valentina
Truer Than Fiction
Rajee Samarasinghe, Your Touch Makes Others Invisible
Producers Award presented by Producers United
Tony Yang
TELEVISION CATEGORIES
Best New Scripted Series
Adolescence (Netflix)
Creators/Executive Producers: Jack Thorne, Stephen Graham
Best New Non-Scripted or Documentary Series
Pee-wee as Himself (HBO Max)
Best Breakthrough Performance in a New Scripted Series
Owen Cooper, Adolescence (Netflix)
Best Supporting Performance in a New Scripted Series
Erin Doherty, Adolescence (Netflix)
Best Lead Performance in a New Scripted Series
Stephen Graham, Adolescence (Netflix)
Best Ensemble Cast in a New Scripted Series
Chief of War (Apple TV)
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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