This year at the Directors Close-Up, we’re celebrating the immensely talented nominees of the 2026 Film Independent Spirit Awards.

The series will consist of nine online sessions taking place over the course of two weeks; January 20-23 at 12:00 pm PT, and January 26-30 at 5:30 pm PT.

Below you’ll find the official schedule for DCU 2026 but, before you start scrolling, don’t forget, series passes are available exclusively to Film Independent Members – and they’re free! You’ve registered for yours, right?
 
 
Not a Member? Join now.

Please note: If you are joining or renewing, please allow up to one business day for your Membership to be processed. Individuals who purchase passes after 8:00 am PT on January 16 are not guaranteed live access to the first event of the series. All aspects of the Director’s Close-Up series (schedule, format, participants, etc.) are subject to change without prior notice.
 

Check back regularly for newly added details, panelists, moderators and more.
 

Tuesday, January 20

The Spirit of Independence

12:00 pm PT

Clint Bentley, Train Dreams
Mary Bronstein, If I Had Legs I’d Kick You
Lloyd Lee Choi, Lucky Lu
Charlie Polinger, The Plague
Ira Sachs, Peter Hujar’s Day
James Sweeney, Twinless
Eva Victor, Sorry, Baby

Moderated by Drea Clark (Spirit Awards Nominations Producer; Artistic Director, Bentonville Film Festival)
 

Wednesday, January 21

Best New Scripted Series

12:00 pm PT

Joe Bennett, Common Side Effects
Steve Hely, Common Side Effects
Hong Khaou, Mr Loverman
Jack Thorne, Adolescence

Moderated by Tanuj Chopra (Director and Showrunner, Delhi Crime)
 

Thursday, January 22

Best International Film

12:00 pm PT

Cherien Dabis, All That’s Left of You
Oliver Laxe, Sirāt
Kleber Mendonça Filho, The Secret Agent
Simón Mesa Soto, A Poet

Moderated by Alison Dickey (Producer)
 

Friday, January 23

Best Documentary

12:00 pm PT

Geeta Gandbhir, The Perfect Neighbor
Tamara Kotevska, The Tale of Silyan
Julia Loktev, My Undesirable Friends: Part I – Last Air in Moscow
Peter Scriver, Endless Cookie
Ryan White, Come See Me in the Good Light

Moderated by Kate Roughan (Head of Film, Welle Entertainment)
 

Monday, January 26

Best First Feature

5:30 pm PT

Kate Beecroft, East of Wall
Bryan Fuller, Dust Bunny
Alex Russell, Lurker
Constance Tsang, Blue Sun Palace

Moderated by Shelby Stone (Executive Producer, The Chi)
 

Tuesday, January 27

John Cassavetes Award

5:30 pm PT

Cristian Carretero, Esta Isla (This Island)
Lorraine Jones Molina, Esta Isla (This Island)
Sarah Friedland, Familiar Touch
Julian Glander, Boys Go to Jupiter
Carson Lund, Eephus

Moderated by Alessandra Lacorazza (writer/director, In the Summers)
 

Wednesday, January 28

Best New Non-Scripted/Documentary Series

5:30 pm PT

Giselle Bailey, Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television
Phil Bertelsen, Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television
Traci Curry, Hurricane Katrina: Race Against Time
Bret Sigler, Citizen Nation
Matt Wolf, Pee-wee as Himself

Moderated by Carolina Saavedra (Executive Producer/Writer)
 

Thursday, January 29

Best Screenplay

5:30 pm PT

Angus MacLachlan, A Little Prayer
Kyle Marvin, Splitsville
James Sweeney, Twinless
Christian Swegal, Sovereign
Eva Victor, Sorry, Baby

Moderated by Daniel Waters (Writer; Heathers, Batman Returns)
 

Friday, January 30

Best First Screenplay

5:30 pm PT

Andrew DeYoung, Friendship
Elena Oxman, Outerlands
Alex Russell, Lurker
Constance Tsang, Blue Sun Palace

Moderated by Corey Sherman (writer/director, Big Boys)
 

Accessibility

Film Independent is committed to hosting events that are accessible. For inquiries regarding accessibility, or to request an accommodation, please contact us at accessibility@filmindependent.org or 323 556 9305.