The 2026 Emerging Filmmaker Awards nominees, along with Spirit Awards nominees in all categories, were announced on December 3, 2025.

The winners – each receiving a $25,000 unrestricted cash grant – were revealed at the 2026 Film Independent Spirit Awards Nominee Brunch on January 10, 2026 at The London West Hollywood.

PRODUCERS AWARD

The Producers Award honors emerging producers who, despite highly limited resources, demonstrate the creativity, tenacity and vision required to produce quality independent films. Past winners include Gina Kwon (Me and You and Everyone We Know), Caroline Baron (Capote) and Effie Brown (Real Women Have Curves).

2026 Producers Award presented by Producers United

Tony Yang

2025 Producers Award

Sarah Winshall

2024 Producers Award

Monique Walton
 

SOMEONE TO WATCH AWARD

The Someone to Watch Award recognizes a talented filmmaker of singular vision who has not yet received appropriate recognition. The recipients of this award become Film Independent Fellows. Past winners include Marc Forster (Everything Put Together), Andrew Bujalski (Funny Ha Ha) and Larry Fessenden (Habit).

2026 Someone to Watch Award

Tatti Ribeiro – director, Valentina

2025 Someone to Watch Award

Sarah Friedland – director, Familiar Touch

2024 Someone to Watch Award

Monica Sorelle – director, Mountains
 

TRUER THAN FICTION AWARD

The Truer Than Fiction Award is presented to an emerging director of nonfiction features who has not yet received significant attention. The recipients of this award become Film Independent Fellows. Past winners include Bing Liu (Minding the Gap), Adele Horne (The Tailenders), Garrett Scott and Ian Olds (Occupation: Dreamland) and Errol Morris (Fast, Cheap & Out of Control).

2026 Truer Than Fiction Award

Rajee Samarasinghe – director, Your Touch Makes Others Invisible

2025 Truer Than Fiction Award

Rachel Elizabeth Seed – director, A Photographic Memory

2024 Truer Than Fiction Award

Set Hernandez – director, unseen