The start of something good.

Founded in 1984, the awards were originally known as the FINDIE ("Friends of Independents") Awards. In 1986, the awards were renamed the Independent Spirit Awards. It was also the first time our membership voted on the winners. Over the past 22 years, Film Independent's Spirit Awards has grown into a vanguard event. Held as a luncheon on the beach in Santa Monica, the Awards ceremony brings together the entire film community to celebrate the best of independent film.

In 2005, the producing organization of the Spirit Awards changed its name from IFP/Los Angeles to Film Independent. Although our name has changed, the show, the organization, and our mission remain the same.

Twenty-two years of keeping the spirit alive.
Click here to download a PDF list covering the past 22 years of nominees and winners.

PAST HOSTS
2006 Sarah Silverman
2005 Samuel L. Jackson
2004 John Waters
2003 John Waters
2002 John Waters
2001 John Waters
2000 Jennifer Tilly
1999 Queen Latifah
1998 John Turturro
1997 Samuel L. Jackson
1996 Samuel L. Jackson
1995 Kevin Pollack
1994 Robert Townsend
1993 Buck Henry
1992 Buck Henry
1991 Buck Henry
1990 Buck Henry
1989 Buck Henry
1988 Buck Henry
1987 Buck Henry
1986 Peter Coyote

PAST HONORARY CHAIRS
2006 Naomi Watts
2005 Quentin Tarantino and Salma Hayek
2004 Tom Cruise
2003 Halle Berry
2002 Ang Lee and Nicole Kidman
2001 Angela Bassett and Benicio Del Toro
2000 Buck Henry and Julianne Moore
1999 Robert Duvall and Alfre Woodard
1998 Samuel L. Jackson and Jodie Foster
1997 Jodie Foster and Ossie Davis
1996 Laurence Fishburne, Jodie Foster, John Travolta
1995 Jodie Foster and Harvey Keitel
1994 Holly Hunter
1993 Danny Glover
1992 Jodie Foster and Martin Scorsese
1991 Oliver Stone

Click here to read about the upcoming 2007 celebration.