Barry Jenkins’ If Beale Street Could Talkswept the Independent Spirit Awards, winning all three categories that it had nominations in, and Can You Ever Forgive Me?and Suspiria each won two awards in an afternoon awards program that served as a counter-balance to the Oscars. In recent years, the awards bestowed upon by Film Independent members had served as a precursor to Oscar glory, but this year, with more popular and high-earning, high-budget films getting favored at the Oscars, the Independent Spirit Awards served as a bit of a referendum on what Oscar left out – mainly, Jenkins’ magnificent follow-up to Moonlight (itself the Best Feature winner in 2016), Beale Street, which was shut out of Best Picture this year. The other two multiple award winners also did not receive Oscar nominations in Best Picture – and, indeed, Suspiria received no nominations from the Academy Awards at all.
We were in attendance at the award ceremony, held in a giant white tent at the base of the Santa Monica Pier, and the love for Beale Street was on everyone’s lips as we walked through the cocktail reception. This proved a clear path to victory in every category for which Beale Street was nominated, but it’s worth nothing that Film Independent likes to spread out the nominations. Indeed, the most nominated film of the evening — We the Animals— did not win an award, and their five nominations stood as the feather in their cap.
And such is the atmosphere of the event, hosted by Aubrey Plaza, a celebration of independent cinema in which a film like You Were Never Really Here, which won Best Film Editing, was cheered by the crowd at every mention, from Best Actor nominee Joaquin Phoenix to director Lynne Ramsay, whom Jenkins himself said he wished had won Best Director on this day in which 60% of the nominees were female – a stark contrast to how Hollywood’s film directing percentages actually work out.
Being represented was the most spirited occasion at the Indie Spirit Awards and as such, the love was spread wide, from Glenn Close to Ethan Hawke to Richard E. Grant and the aforementioned Suspiria. It was a bright, sunny day on the beach to celebrate a year of cinema that the Oscars mostly ignored. Inside the tent, Beale Street talked; Hollywood asked, Can You Ever Forgive Me?; and the awards answered, You Were Never Really Here. Drinks to that!
BEST FEATURE
Eighth Grade
First Reformed
If Beale Street Could Talk — winner
Leave No Trace
You Were Never Really Here
BEST FIRST FEATURE
Hereditary
Sorry To Bother You — winner
The Tale
We The Animals
Wildlife
BEST DIRECTOR
Paul Schrader, First Reformed
Barry Jenkins, If Beale Street Could Talk — winner
Debra Granik, Leave No Trace
Tamara Jenkins, Private Life
Lynne Ramsay, You Were Never Really Here
BEST SCREENPLAY
Nicole Holofcener, Jeff Whitty, Can You Ever Forgive Me? — winner
Richard Glatzer (writer, story by), Rebecca Lenkiewicz, Wash Westmoreland, Colette
Paul Schrader, First Reformed
Tamara Jenkins, Private Life
Boots Riley, Sorry to Bother You
BEST FIRST SCREENPLAY
Quinn Shephard (writer, story by), Laurie Shephard (story by), Blame
Bo Burnham, Eighth Grade — winner
Christina Choe, Nancy
Jennifer Fox, The Tale
Cory Finley, Thoroughbreds
JOHN CASSAVETES AWARD – best feature film made for under $500,000
A Bread Factory
En El Séptimo Día — winner
Never Goin’ Back
Sócrates
Thunder Road
BEST MALE LEAD
Daveed Diggs, Blindspotting
Ethan Hawke, First Reformed — winner
John Cho, Searching
Christian Malheiros, Sócrates
Joaquin Phoenix, You Were Never Really Here
BEST FEMALE LEAD
Elsie Fisher, Eighth Grade
Toni Collette, Hereditary
Helena Howard, Madeline’s Madeline
Regina Hall, Support the Girls
Glenn Close, The Wife — winner
Carey Mulligan, Wildlife
BEST SUPPORTING MALE
Adam Driver, BlacKkKlansman
Richard E. Grant, Can You Ever Forgive Me? — winner
Josh Hamilton, Eighth Grade
John David Washington, Monsters and Men
Raúl Castillo, We the Animals
BEST SUPPORTING FEMALE
Tyne Daly, A Bread Factory
Regina King, If Beale Street Could Talk — winner
Thomasin Harcourt McKenzie, Leave No Trace
J. Smith-Cameron, Nancy
Kayli Carter, Private Life
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Ashley Connor, Madeline’s Madeline
Benjamin Loeb, Mandy
Sayombhu Mukdeeprom, Suspiria — winner
Zak Mulligan, We the Animals
Diego Garcia, Wildlife
BEST EDITING
Luke Dunkley, Nick Fenton, Chris Gill, Julian Hart, American Animals
Nick Houy, Mid90s
Anne Fabini, Alex Hall, Gary Levy, The Tale
Keiko Deguchi, Brian A. Kates, Jeremiah Zagar, We the Animals
Joe Bini, You Were Never Really Here — winner
BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM
Burning (South Korea)
Director: Lee Chang-Dong
Happy As Lazzaro (Italy)
Director: Alice Rohrwacher
Roma (Mexico)
Director: Alfonso Cuarón — winner
Shoplifters (Japan)
Director: Kore-eda Hirokazu
The Favourite (United Kingdom)
Director: Yorgos Lanthimos
BEST DOCUMENTARY
Hale County This Morning, This Evening
Minding The Gap
Of Fathers And Sons
On Her Shoulders
Shirkers
Won’t You Be My Neighbor? — winner
ROBERT ALTMAN AWARD – best ensemble cast
Suspiria — winner
Director: Luca Guadagnino
Casting Directors: Avy Kaufman, Stella Savino
Ensemble Cast: Malgosia Bela, Ingrid Caven, Lutz Ebersdorf, Elena Fokina, Mia Goth, Jessica Harper, Dakota Johnson, Gala Moody, Chloë Grace Moretz, Fabrizia Sacchi, Renée Soutendijk, Tilda Swinton, Sylvie Testud, Angela Winkler
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*Power Pint Bundle is non-refundable. Domestic shipping will be added at checkout. Limited time offer. While supplies last. Movie ticket is non-refundable and non-exchangeable. Fandango reserves the right to modify or cancel this offer at any time and without notice. You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase a bundle. The set of two collectible pint glasses will begin shipping in May. Please use a physical U.S. address where the set of two collectible pint glasses shipment can be delivered. Once carrier confirms delivery, Fandango is not responsible for lost or stolen deliveries. See full terms and conditions at https://store.fandango.com/products/pint-power-bundle
Get the Beskar Bounty Bundle and receive one movie ticket to Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu plus a Limited Edition 28" x 11.5" Concept Art Print!
*The Beskar Bounty Bundle is non-refundable. Domestic shipping will be added at checkout. Limited time offer. While supplies last. Movie ticket is non-refundable and non-exchangeable. Fandango reserves the right to modify or cancel this offer at any time and without notice. You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase a bundle. The Limited-Edition Concept Art Print will begin shipping in May. Please use a physical U.S. address where the Limited-Edition Concept Art Print shipment can be delivered. Once carrier confirms delivery, Fandango is not responsible for lost or stolen deliveries. See full terms and conditions at https://store.fandango.com/products/the-beskar-bounty-bundle
Buy a ticket to Mortal Kombat II and receive 750 Dragon Krystals to be redeemed for use in the Mortal Kombat 1 game!
Limited time offer. While supplies last. Log into your account on Fandango.com or the Fandango app between 9:00am PT on 4/9/26 and 11:59pm PT on 5/24/26 and purchase at least one (1) ticket to see ‘Mortal Kombat II’ at a participating Fandango theater. Purchaser will receive a post-purchase email containing one (1) Mortal Kombat 1 (“Game”) Promotional Code (“Code”) that is good for 750 Dragon Krystals in the Game. Code is only valid for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. Code is not valid on Nintendo Switch. Code expires, and must be redeemed by, 11:59pm PT on 12/31/26, or when the Game is no longer available to play, whichever comes first. Code is one time use only. Limit one Code per Fandango account and WB Games account. You must have, and be logged into, your Fandango account to receive a Code. Fandango is free to join; you must be 18 years of age or older to create a Fandango account. A WB Games account is required to play Mortal Kombat 1 and redeem a Code. Fandango reserves the right to modify or cancel this offer at any time and without notice. This offer is subject to Fandango's terms and policies, at http://www.fandango.com/terms-and-policies. Redemption of the Code is subject to WB Games Terms of Service, at https://legal.wbgames.com/terms-of-service/
Get 4 months of FanClub member benefits, 4 free movie tickets, plus a $20 Fandango at Home promo code.
"OFFER TERMS AND CONDITIONS This “FanClub Summer Movie Pass” offer (the “Offer”) is valid from May 1, 2026, through August 31, 2026 (the “Offer Period”). To qualify, you must purchase a FanClub Summer Movie Pass at www.fandango.com/fanclub/summerpass for $49.99. This Offer is not valid for current FanClub members; however, individuals may become eligible after their existing FanClub membership has expired if such membership expires before the end of the Offer Period. The FanClub Summer Movie Pass includes four (4) months of Fandango FanClub membership beginning upon enrollment. After the initial four (4) month period, your membership will automatically renew at $9.99/month (plus applicable taxes) unless canceled prior to the renewal date. The Offer also includes four (4) Fandango movie ticket promo codes (each, a “Ticket Code”). One (1) Ticket Code will be delivered via email within 24 to 48 hours after enrollment. 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To redeem any Codes, you must have and be logged into your Fandango or Fandango at Home account and still be a FanClub member. Lost or stolen Codes cannot be replaced. This Offer has no cash value except as required by law, is void where prohibited, and cannot be combined with any other offer. It is valid only in the U.S. (excluding U.S. territories and where prohibited by law). Codes are non-transferable, not for resale, and void if sold or exchanged. Taxes may apply. Limit one (1) FanClub Movie Pass Pass per person. Redemption is subject to Fandango’s Terms and Policies at www.fandango.com/terms-and-policies. No adjustments will be made for prior purchases. Fandango reserves the right to modify or withdraw this Offer at any time, in its sole discretion, without notice. Additional terms and conditions apply. See Fandango FanClub Program Terms for details. FREE FANDANGO MOVIE TICKET TERMS AND CONDITIONS Fandango promotional code (“Code”) is good for one (1) ticket to any movie at a participating Fandango theater. Codes expire on the earlier of 12/31/2026 or when you FanClub membership expires. To be eligible for this offer, you must be a paying Fandango FanClub Movie Pass member at the time the offer is sent and remain a FanClub member at the time that you redeem each Code. Each Code is one-time use only. Codes are valid only for the purchase of movie tickets made at Fandango.com or via the Fandango app and cannot be redeemed directly at any theater box office. If the cost of movie tickets and associated fees and charges exceeds a Code’s maximum discount, you must pay the difference. Any price difference between the total transaction price and a Code’s maximum discount will not be refunded. You must have, and be logged into, your Fandango account, and be a FanClub member, to redeem a Code. If a Code is lost or stolen, it cannot be replaced. No cash value, except as required by law. Void where prohibited.Not valid with any other offer. Offer valid in the U.S. only (excluding U.S. territories and where prohibited by law). Non-transferable. Not for resale; void if sold or exchanged. You may have to pay taxes additionally. Limit one redemption per Code per person. Redemption of each Code is subject to Fandango’s Terms and Policies at www.fandango.com/terms-and-policies. $20 FAH MOVIE TICKET TERMS AND CONDITIONS The Fandango at Home promo code (“Code”) included in this Offer expires on the earlier of 12/31/2026 and when your FanClub membership expires. To be eligible for this offer, you must be a paying Fandango FanClub Summer Movie Pass member at the time the Offer is sent and remain a FanClub member at the time that you redeem the Offer and Code. The Code is good for up to $20.00 (twenty dollars) off any single movie or episode purchase in a single transaction. To redeem your Code, enter the Code at checkout during your next Fandango at Home purchase. The Code is a one-time use discount. Any price difference between total transaction price and Code's maximum discount will not be refunded. If cost of purchase is more than Code's maximum discount, then you must pay the difference. Code cannot be combined with any other offers. Code is non-transferable and has no cash value, except as required by law. If lost or stolen, cannot be replaced. Void where prohibited. Not valid with any other offer. Offer valid in U.S. only (excluding U.S. territories and where prohibited by law). Not for resale; void if sold or exchanged. You may have to pay taxes additionally. Adjustments to prior purchases will not be permitted. Fandango reserves the right to withdraw or modify this Offer at any time, in its sole discretion, and without notice. Additional terms and conditions apply. See Fandango FanClubProgram Terms for details."
Get 1 free ticket instantly when you join FanClub with your Young Washington ticket order.
The ‘Young Washington – 1 free ticket FanClub Promotion' offer (the “Offer”) begins 5/6/26 and will run for a limited time. Offer valid for new FanClub members only. To be eligible, you must subscribe to a 1-month paid FanClub membership ($9.99 per month + tax) when purchasing tickets Young Washington on the Fandango website or mobile app, and Offer will be automatically applied at checkout. To redeem the Offer, you must complete checkout while an eligible FanClub membership is in your cart and Offer is applied. Offer valid in the U.S. only (excluding U.S. territories and where prohibited by law); void where prohibited. Adjustments to prior purchases not permitted. Taxes may apply. Offer may only be redeemed once per person. Fandango reserves the right to withdraw or modify this Offer at any time, in its sole discretion, and without notice. Additional terms and conditions apply, including Fandango’s Terms and Policies at www.fandango.com/terms-and-policies.
Buy a ticket to Shrek 25th Anniversary, get the Shrek 6-Movie Collection for $25 on Fandango at Home
*Limited time offer. Log into your account on Fandango.com or the Fandango app and purchase, between 8:05am PT on 4/23/26 and 11:59pm PT on 5/21/26, at least one (1) movie ticket to ‘Shrek 25th Anniversary’ in participating Fandango theaters. Purchaser will receive a post-purchase email containing one (1) Fandango at Home Promotional Code (“Code”) that is good for the Shrek 6-Movie Collection for $25, in My Offers in your account on http://fandangoathome.com and via participating Fandango at Home apps. You must have, and be logged into, your Fandango account to receive a Code. Fandango is free to join; you must be 18 years of age or older to create a Fandango account. Code expires on (and must be used by) 5/23/26 at 11:59pm PT. Limit one Code received per transaction. You may have to pay taxes additionally. One-time use only. Void where prohibited. If lost or stolen, cannot be replaced. Offer is non-transferable and cannot be combined with any other offer or discount. No cash value, except as required by law. Not for resale; void if sold or exchanged. Offer valid in the U.S. only (excluding U.S. territories and where prohibited by law). You must have a Fandango at Home account to redeem your Code on Fandango at Home. Fandango at Home is free to join; you must be 18 years of age or older to open a Fandango at Home account. Credit card may be required for transactions on fandangoathome.com. Fandango reserves the right to modify or cancel this offer at any time and without notice. This offer and redemption of the Code are subject to Fandango’s Terms and Policies and Privacy Policy at http://www.fandango.com/terms-and-policies.
One team. One target. No turning back. Buy a ticket to In The Grey, get $5 off the Spies, Lies, & Alibis: 4-Film Collection on Fandango at Home.
*Limited time offer. Log into your account on Fandango.com or the Fandango app and purchase, between 12:01am PT on 4/28/26 and 11:59pm PT on 6/2/26, at least one (1) movie ticket to In the Grey. Purchaser will receive a post-purchase email containing one (1) Fandango at Home Promotional Code (“Code”) that is good $5 off the purchase (and not the rental) of the Spies, Lies, & Alibis: 4-Film Collection in My Offers in your account on http://fandangoathome.com and via participating Fandango at Home apps. You must have, and be logged into, your Fandango account to receive a Code. Fandango is free to join; you must be 18 years of age or older to create a Fandango account. Code expires on (and must be used by) 6/5/26 at 11:59pm PT. Limit one per transaction. You may have to pay taxes additionally. One-time use only. Void where prohibited. If lost or stolen, cannot be replaced. Offer is non-transferable and cannot be combined with any other offer or discount. No cash value, except as required by law. Not for resale; void if sold or exchanged. Offer valid in the U.S. only (excluding U.S. territories and where prohibited by law). You must have a Fandango at Home account to redeem your Code on Fandango at Home. Fandango at Home is free to join; you must be 18 years of age or older to open a Fandango at Home account. Credit card may be required for transactions on fandangoathome.com. Fandango reserves the right to modify or cancel this offer at any time and without notice. This offer and redemption of the Code are subject to Fandango’s Terms and Policies and Privacy Policy at http://www.fandango.com/terms-and-policies.
