Independent Spirit Awards 2025: Winners and Highlights from the Ceremony

Image credits: Getty Images

The Independent Spirit Awards, often considered the precursor to the Oscars, took place on February 22 in Santa Monica, California. The ceremony, hosted by Aidy Bryant, celebrated the best in independent film and television, with Sean Baker's "Anora" emerging as one of the biggest winners of the night. "Anora" won best film, best director for Baker, and best actor for Mikey Madison, solidifying its position as a front-runner in the upcoming Oscars.

The Spirit Awards, known for their more laid-back and irreverent atmosphere compared to the Academy Awards, honored a range of films and television shows. "Baby Reindeer" also had a successful night, with wins for Richard Gadd, Nava Mau, and Jessica Gunning. Other notable winners included Jesse Eisenberg for best screenplay for "A Real Pain" and Julio Torres for his work on "Problemista". The documentary prize went to "No Other Land", a film about the destruction of a village in the West Bank, which is also a strong contender for the Oscars.

The ceremony was not without its memorable moments, including a tribute to the late Film Independent president Josh Welsh, who passed away earlier this year. Welsh was remembered for his love of the Spirit Awards and his passion for independent film. The event also featured a donut wall in his honor, courtesy of Peterson's Donut Corner. Additionally, the show paid tribute to the impact of the wildfires on Los Angeles, with host Aidy Bryant making a plea for donations to the Film Independent Emergency Filmmaker Relief Fund.

The winners of the Independent Spirit Awards often reflect a growing consensus among voters, as seen in previous years with films like "Everything Everywhere All At Once". This year's winners, including "Anora" and "Baby Reindeer", are likely to be contenders in the upcoming Oscars. The Spirit Awards limit eligibility to productions with budgets of $30 million or less, making them a unique celebration of independent filmmaking. Some of the notable winners and nominees include:

• Best Feature: "Anora" (winner), "I Saw the TV Glow", "Nickel Boys", "Sing Sing", "The Substance"
• Best First Feature: "Dìdi" (winner), "In the Summers", "Janet Planet", "The Piano Lesson", "Problemista"
• Best Director: Sean Baker (winner), Ali Abbasi, Brady Corbet, Alonso Ruizpalacios, Jane Schoenbrun
• Best Screenplay: Jesse Eisenberg (winner), Scott Beck, Bryan Woods, Megan Park, Aaron Schimberg, Jane Schoenbrun

The Independent Spirit Awards also honored television shows, with "Shōgun" winning best new scripted series and "How to Die Alone" winning best ensemble cast in a new scripted series. The ceremony was a celebration of the best in independent film and television, with a focus on diversity and inclusion. The winners and nominees reflected a range of perspectives and voices, highlighting the importance of independent storytelling in the entertainment industry.