The 2027 Emerging Filmmaker Awards nominees, along with Film Independent Spirit Awards nominees in all categories, will be announced on December 2, 2026.

The winners – each receiving a $25,000 unrestricted cash grant – will be revealed at the Spirit Awards Nominee Brunch in early 2027 at The London West Hollywood.

DIGITAL CREATOR AWARD

Newly announced for the 2027 Spirit Awards, the Digital Creator Award celebrates a bold independent storyteller creating original, inclusive work for digital platforms and audiences.
 

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 first-time director of American narrative features. 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 a first-time director of American nonfiction features. 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