Since 1993, the Film Independent Spirit Awards have been held at Santa Monica State Beach, and the dreamy California coast couldn't be a more appropriate vibe for the unique award season event that's all about shining a spotlight on some of the most interesting voices in cinema. Mixing up the film world's indie glitterati is one of the most intriguing details of the Spirit Awards. Where else are you likely to see John Waters and Cate Blanchett share approving glances over their fiercely abstract ensembles from across the red carpet?!
This year, several innovative creatives with ties to the Sundance Institute will make the rounds at the awards show, as 20 incredible Sundance-supported projects have been nominated for the 40th edition of the Film Independent Spirit Awards. From Jesse Eisenberg's witty A Real Pain to Megan Park's charming My Old Ass, Mark Duplass and Mel Eslyn's inspiring series Penelope, and gripping documentaries Gaucho Gaucho and Sugarcane - all of which premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival - we're so excited to see so many compelling works in the mix. We're also thrilled to see that Sarah Winshall, the producer of I Saw the TV Glow, will be getting the Producers Award.
Topping the list with five nominations (along with Anora from Sundance Institute alum Sean Baker) is Jane Schoenbrun's I Saw the TV Glow, which stars Justice Smith, who is nominated for Best Lead Performance, and Brigette Lundy-Paine. Another 2024 Fest premiere, it secured noms for Best Feature and Best Directors, among others. Championing emerging filmmakers - and those who can make masterpieces on a budget - the Spirit Awards don't nominate projects that cost more than $30 million to produce, so all of the projects recognized are shining examples of creative independence.
Below, see the complete list of all the Sundance-supported projects nominated for the Film Independent Spirit Awards, hosted by actor Aidy Bryant and taking place on Saturday, February 22, 2025 at Santa Monica State Beach and prepare to root for the nominees when the show streams live on the IMDb and Film Independent YouTube channels.
More from Sundance Institute
18/09/2025
Editor's Note:
The loss of our founder and friend Robert Redford, leaves us...
18/09/2025
Editor's Note:
The loss of our founder and friend Robert Redford, leaves us...
18/09/2025
Robert Redford talks with Lab fellows at the 1981 Directors Lab | 1981 Unknown for Sundance Institute
Editor's Note:
The loss of our founder and friend ...
15/09/2025
Steve Zahn, Winona Ryder, Ethan Hawke, and Janeane Garofalo star in Ben Stiller&...
12/09/2025
(L-R) Jade Croot, Rosy McEwen, and Bryn Chainey attend the 2025 Sundance Film Festival premiere of Rabbit Trap at Eccles Theatre on January 24, 2025, in Park ...
10/09/2025
By Katie Arthurs
The phrase we stand on the shoulders of giants was a sentiment taught to me as a child, but one that's meaning didn't fully seep in ...
08/09/2025
Director Rachael Abigail Holder introduces the premiere of her film Love, Brooklyn at the Eccles Theater in Park City. (Photo by George Pimentel/Shutterstock ...
06/09/2025
(L-R) Dylan O'Brien and James Sweeney attend the 2025 Sundance Film Festival Twinless premiere at Eccles Theatre. (Photo by George Pimentel/Shutterstock f...
04/09/2025
(Joel Edgerton and Felicity Jones appear in Train Dreams by Clint Bentley, an of...
03/09/2025
By Bailey Pennick
One of the most exciting things about the Sundance Film Festi...
02/09/2025
By Jessica Herndon
One of the most exciting things about the Sundance Film Fes...
02/09/2025
June Squibb stars in Scarlett Johansson's Eleanor the Great, which was supported by Sundance Institute's Feature Film Program....
28/08/2025
By Kristin Feeley, Director, Documentary Film & Artist Programs
If you want to tell untold stories, if you want to give voice to the voiceless, you've got ...
28/08/2025
Directed by Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert, Sundance Institute-supported Amer...
27/08/2025
Documentary Producers Lab fellows Wendy P. Espinal, Loi Ameera Almeron, Elijah Stevens, Crystal Isaac, and Nicole Tsien have a little fun for their group photo....
25/08/2025
PARK CITY, UTAH - JANUARY 23: Actor Anna Camp attends the 2023 Sundance Film Festival A Little Prayer Premiere at The Ray Theatre on January 23, 2023, in Park...
22/08/2025
(L-R) Writer-director Alex Russell, Th odore Pellerin, Archie Madekwe, and Havana Rose Liu on stage for the premiere of Lurker at Eccles Theater in Park City....
19/08/2025
photo by Michael Hurcomb/Shutterstock for Sundance...
14/08/2025
(L-R) Clay Pateneaude, Tabatha Zimiga, Porshia Zimiga, director Kate Beecroft, Leanna Shumpert, Jesse Thorson, and Jennifer Ehle attend the premiere of East o...
12/08/2025
By Lucy Spicer
In a world where film serves as a form of escapism to many, it's rare to see a documentary grab hold of public attention and embed itself in...
08/08/2025
(L-R) Amy Berg, Mary Guibert, and Ben Harper attend the 2025 Sundance Film Festival It's Not Over, Jeff Buckley premiere The Ray Theatre. (Photo by Robin ...
07/08/2025
By Jessica Herndon
In writer-director Marielle Heller's feature debut, The ...
05/08/2025
By Lucy Spicer
One of the most exciting things about the Sundance Film Festival...
01/08/2025
A still from Amy Berg's documentary It's Never Over, Jeff Buckley, whi...
01/08/2025
Alison Brie and Dave Franco at the premiere of Together (photo by George Pimentel/Shutterstock for Sundance Film Festival)...
31/07/2025
The 2025 Directors Lab fellows gather together for a group photo. Photo by Gabe Rovick...
30/07/2025
The 2009 Directors Lab fellows share a moment together outside at the Sundance R...
29/07/2025
Six Fellows Selected for Program Supporting Projects From Transgender Storytellers of Color
Today the nonprofit Sundance Institute announced the six artists p...
29/07/2025
By Jessica Herndon
One of the most exciting things about the Sundance Film Fest...
25/07/2025
By Lucy Spicer
At Sundance Institute, we're always in awe of the power independent film has to bring people together. That's why we love asking filmmak...
24/07/2025
Diane Quon speaks with an advisor at Sundance Institute's 2019 Creative Producing Lab. (Photo by Jen Fairchild)...
24/07/2025
(L-R) Heidi Ewing, Iselin Breivold, Hege Birch Wik, Thor-Atle Svortevik, and Rachel Grady attend the 2025 Sundance Film Festival FOLKTALES premiere at Library...
21/07/2025
(L-R) Molly Gordon, Sophie Brooks, and Logan Lerman attend the 2025 Sundance Film Festival premiere of Oh, Hi! at Eccles Theatre on January 26, 2025, in Park ...
18/07/2025
Blanche Barton, Peter Gilmore, Scott Cummings, Sundance Institute Director of Programming Kim Yutani, and Peggy Nadramia throwing horns. (Stephen Lovekin/Shutte...
18/07/2025
By Jessica Herndon
One of the most exciting things about the Sundance Film Fest...
17/07/2025
Blanche Barton, Peter Gilmore, Scott Cummings, Sundance Institute Director of Programming Kim Yutani, and Peggy Nadramia throwing horns. (Stephen Lovekin/Shutte...
16/07/2025
It's Emmy nominations day, and Sundance Institute storytellers are basking i...
15/07/2025
By Lucy Spicer
One of the most exciting things about the Sundance Film Festival...
12/07/2025
Ryan Coogler accepting the 2013 Vanguard Award. Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez.
Editor's Note: In honor of Fruitvale Station s 12th anniversary, we're d...
11/07/2025
PARK CITY, UTAH, July 11, 2025 - The nonprofit Sundance Institute announced today the 11 producers chosen for its annual Producers Labs, returning to Ucross Fou...
09/07/2025
By Bailey Pennick
There's something arresting about the way Jomo Fray captures the world. The cinematographer, now best known for his unparalleled work on ...
08/07/2025
One of the most exciting things about the Sundance Film Festival is having a fro...
04/07/2025
By Lucy Spicer
Editor's note: We are deeply saddened by the passing of Robe...
02/07/2025
Hege Wik and Odin appear in FOLKTALES by Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady, an official selection of the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance Institut...
02/07/2025
(Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock for Sundance Film Festival)
By Patty Consolazio
This one's for any person who's ever felt put down, left out, marginaliz...
27/06/2025
By Jessica Herndon
One of the most exciting things about the Sundance Film Fest...
26/06/2025
Louis Greatorex, Amrou Al-Kadhi and Bilal Hasana. (Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock for Sundance Film Festival)
By Veronika Lee Claghorn
The world premiere of Amr...
25/06/2025
Aubrey Plaza getting ready for My Old Ass (photo by George Pimentel/Shutterstock...
25/06/2025
On the set of Leslie McCleave's The Shamrocks with Mount Timpanogos as a backdrop during the 1999 Directors Lab. Photo by Sandria Miller...
24/06/2025
John August with fellow Kibwe Tavares at Sundance Institute's 2016 June Screenwriters Lab. Photo by Brandon Cruz for Sundance Institute...
Since 1993, the Film Independent Spirit Awards have been held at Santa Monica State Beach, and the dreamy California coast couldn't be a more appropriate vibe for the unique award season event that's all about shining a spotlight on some of the most interesting voices in cinema. Mixing up the film world's indie glitterati is one of the most intriguing details of the Spirit Awards. Where else are you likely to see John Waters and Cate Blanchett share approving glances over their fiercely abstract ensembles from across the red carpet?! 
