The 36th Film Independent Spirit Awards, honoring the best independent films and television series of 2020, were presented by Film Independent on April 22, 2021.[1] Though it was initially intended for the ceremony to air on April 24, 2021, it was later changed to April 22, 2021.[2] The nominations were announced on January 26, 2021 by Laverne Cox, Barry Jenkins, and Olivia Wilde.[3][4][5] The ceremony was televised in the United States on IFC and streamed exclusively by AMC+.[6] Melissa Villaseñor hosted the ceremony.[7][8][9]
| 36th Independent Spirit Awards | |
|---|---|
| Awarded for | Best in independent film and independent television |
| Date | April 22, 2021 |
| Site | Santa Monica Pier Santa Monica, California, U.S. |
| Hosted by | Melissa Villaseñor |
| Highlights | |
| Best Feature | Nomadland |
| Most awards | Nomadland (4) |
| Most nominations | Never Rarely Sometimes Always (7) |
| Television coverage | |
| Channel | IFC |
Expansion
This year, the Film Independent expanded categories in order to honor television series for the first time, debuting five new categories: Best New Scripted Series, Best New Non-Scripted or Documentary Series, Best Male Performance in a New Scripted Series, Best Female Performance in a New Scripted Series, and Best Ensemble Cast in a New Scripted Series.[10][11][12]
Winners and nominees
Film
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Films with multiple nominations and awards
| Nominations | Film |
|---|---|
| 7 | Never Rarely Sometimes Always |
| 6 | Minari |
| 5 | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom |
| Nomadland | |
| 4 | Miss Juneteenth |
| 3 | The Assistant |
| Bull | |
| First Cow | |
| Promising Young Woman | |
| Sound of Metal | |
| 2 | I Carry You with Me |
| Nine Days | |
| Residue |
| Awards | Film |
|---|---|
| 4 | Nomadland |
| 3 | Sound of Metal |
| 2 | Promising Young Woman |
Television
| Best New Scripted Series | Best New Non-Scripted or Documentary Series |
|---|---|
| Best Male Performance in a New Scripted Series | Best Female Performance in a New Scripted Series |
|
Amit Rahav – Unorthodox as Yakov "Yanky" Shapiro (Netflix)
|
Shira Haas – Unorthodox as Esther "Esty" Shapiro (Netflix)
|
| Best Ensemble Cast in a New Scripted Series | |
|
I May Destroy You – Michaela Coel, Paapa Essiedu, Weruche Opia, and Stephen Wight | |
Series with multiple nominations and awards
| Nominations | Series |
|---|---|
| 3 | Little America |
| Unorthodox | |
| 2 | I May Destroy You |
| Awards | Series |
|---|---|
| 2 | I May Destroy You |
| Unorthodox |
Special awards
(The award is given to the best feature made for under $500,000; recipients are the writer, director, and producer)
Residue
(The award is given to its film director, casting director, and ensemble cast)
Emerging Filmmakers Awards
Producers Award
The award honors emerging producers, who despite highly limited resources demonstrate the creativity, tenacity, and vision required to create quality independent films. The winner receives a $25,000 unrestricted cash grant courtesy of Spirit Award Premier Sponsors Genesis Motor North America.
- Gerry Kim
- Kara Durrett
- Lucas Joaquin
Someone to Watch Award
The award honors a talented filmmaker of singular vision who has not yet received appropriate recognition. The winner receives a $25,000 unrestricted cash grant courtesy of Spirit Award Premier Sponsors Genesis Motor North America.
- Ekwa Msangi – Farewell Amor
- David Midell – The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain
- Annie Silverstein – Bull
Truer than Fiction Award
The award honors to an emerging director of non-fiction features who has not yet received appropriate recognition. The winner receives a $25,000 unrestricted cash grant courtesy of Spirit Award Premier Sponsors Genesis Motor North America.
- Elegance Bratton – Pier Kids
- Cecilia Aldarondo – Landfall
- Elizabeth Lo – Stray
See also
References
- ^ Galuppo, Mia; Nordyke, Kimberly; Drury, Sharareh; Perez, Lexy (April 22, 2021). "Film Independent Spirit Awards: 'Nomadland' Wins Best Feature, Best Director for Chloe Zhao". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (January 21, 2021). "Independent Spirit Awards Breaks Tradition During Pandemic, Will Take Place Thursday Before Oscars". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
- ^ Anderson, Erik (January 21, 2021). "Spirit Awards move date; Barry Jenkins, Laverne Cox, Olivia Wilde to announce nominations". AwardsWatch. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
- ^ "SPIRIT AWARDS NOMINATIONS (2021) | Presenters Olivia Wilde, Barry Jenkins & Laverne Cox". YouTube. January 26, 2021. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
- ^ Lewis, Hilary (January 26, 2021). "Film Independent Spirit Awards: 'Never Rarely Sometimes Always', 'Minari', 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom', 'Nomadland' Top Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
- ^ Hipes, Patrick (April 22, 2021). "How To Watch Tonight's Film Independent Spirit Awards Online & On TV". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
- ^ Warren, Matt (February 8, 2021). "SNL's Melissa Villaseñor to Host the 2021 Film Independent Spirit Awards, April 22". Film Independent. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- ^ Verhoeven, Beatrice (February 8, 2021). "'SNL' Star Melissa Villasenor to Host 2021 Film Independent Spirit Awards". TheWrap. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- ^ Perez, Lexy (April 22, 2021). "Spirit Awards: Melissa Villasenor Says Pandemic Marked "Tough Year" to "Watch Independent Movies"". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
- ^ Welk, Brian (September 29, 2020). "Independent Spirit Awards Adds 5 New TV Categories for 2021 Ceremony". TheWrap. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
- ^ Hill, Libby (September 29, 2020). "2021 Film Independent Spirit Awards Expand to Honor Television". IndieWire. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
- ^ Schneider, Michael (April 22, 2021). "Independent Spirit Awards Define What's 'Indie TV': 'I May Destroy You' and 'Unorthodox', for Starters". Variety. Retrieved April 22, 2021.