FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact: Seanna Hore, Ginsberg/Libby
seanna.hore@ginsberglibby.com

Gladys Santos, Ginsberg/Libby
gladys.santos@ginsberglibby.com
 

LOS ANGELES (March 6, 2022) – Film Independent handed out top honors this afternoon at the 37th Film Independent Spirit Awards ceremony on the beach in Santa Monica. Hosted by comedy power couple Megan Mullally and Nick Offerman, the ceremony was broadcast live on IFC and AMC+ at 5:00 pm ET and will air on the West Coast at 5:00 pm PT. In addition to being the celebration that honors artist-driven films and show that embodies diversity, innovation and uniqueness of vision, the Spirit Awards is the primary fundraiser for Film Independent’s year-round programs.

This year’s major winners in the film categories were The Lost Daughter, which won Best Feature, Best Director and Best Screenplay; Passing, which won Best Supporting Female and Best Cinematography; Zola, which won Best Female Lead and Best Editing; 7 Days, which won Best First Feature; Pig, which won Best First Screenplay; Red Rocket, which won Best Male Lead; CODA, which won Best Supporting Male; Drive My Car, which won Best International Film; Summer of Soul, which won Best Documentary; and Shiva Baby, which received the John Cassavetes Award.

For the second time in its history, this year’s Spirit Awards also honored exceptional content in television. This year’s major winners in the TV categories were Reservation Dogs, which won Best New Scripted Series and Best Ensemble Cast in a New Scripted Series; Black and Missing, which won Best New Non-Scripted or Documentary Series; The Underground Railroad, which won Best Female Performance in a New Scripted Series; and Squid Game, which won Best Male Performance in a New Scripted Series.

The 14th annual Robert Altman Award, which was created in 2008 in honor of legendary film director Robert Altman, who was known for creating extraordinary ensemble casts, was awarded to Mass director Fran Kranz, alongside casting directors Henry Russell Bergstein and Allison Estrin as well as ensemble cast Kagen Albright, Reed Birney, Michelle N. Carter, Ann Dowd, Jason Isaacs, Martha Plimpton and Breeda Wool.

Previously announced winners of the Emerging Filmmaker Awards Grants are Alex Camilleri (Luzzu), who received the Someone to Watch Award; Lizzie Shapiro, who received the Producers Award; and Jessica Beshir (Faya Dayi), who received the Truer Than Fiction Award.

The ceremony aired live this evening on IFC and AMC+ at 5:00 pm ET and will air on the West Coast at 5:00 pm PT. Clips from the ceremony will be available on Film Independent’s YouTube channel after the show.
 

The following is a complete list of the winners:

 
FILM CATEGORIES

Best Feature

The Lost Daughter (Netflix)
Producers: Charles Dorfman, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Osnat Handelsman Keren, Talia Kleinhendler

Best Director

Maggie Gyllenhaal, The Lost Daughter (Netflix)

Best Screenplay

Maggie Gyllenhaal, The Lost Daughter (Netflix)

Best First Feature

7 Days (Cinedigm)
Director: Roshan Sethi
Producers: Liz Cardenas, Mel Eslyn

Best First Screenplay

Michael Sarnoski, Story by Vanessa Block and Michael Sarnoski; Pig (NEON)

John Cassavetes Award

(for best feature made under $500,000)
Shiva Baby (Utopia)
Writer/Director/Producer: Emma Seligman
Producers: Kieran Altmann, Katie Schiller, Lizzie Shapiro

Best Supporting Female

Ruth Negga, Passing (Netflix)

Best Supporting Male

Troy Kotsur, CODA (Apple+)

Best Female Lead

Taylour Paige, Zola (A24)

Best Male Lead

Simon Rex, Red Rocket (A24)

Robert Altman Award

Mass (Bleecker Street)
Director: Fran Kranz
Casting Directors: Henry Russell Bergstein, Allison Estrin
Ensemble Cast: Kagen Albright, Reed Birney, Michelle N. Carter, Ann Dowd, Jason Isaacs, Martha Plimpton, Breeda Wool

Best Cinematography

Edu Grau, Passing (Netflix)

Best Editing

Joi McMillon, Zola (A24)

Best International Film

Drive My Car (Sideshow in association with Janus Films)
Director: Ryusuke Hamaguchi

Best Documentary

Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) (Searchlight Pictures, Onyx Collective, Hulu)
Director: Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson
Producers: David Dinerstein, Robert Fyvolent, Joseph Patel
 
TELEVISON CATEGORIES

Best New Scripted Series

Reservation Dogs (FX)
Creators/Executive Producers: Sterlin Harjo, Taika Waititi
Executive Producer: Garrett Basch

Best New Non-Scripted or Documentary Series

Black and Missing (HBO/HBO Max)
Series By/Executive Producers: Soledad O’Brien, Geeta Gandbhir
Executive Producers: Jo Honig, Patrick Conway, Nancy Abraham, Lisa Heller, Sara Rodriguez

Best Female Performance in a New Scripted Series

Thuso Mbedu, The Underground Railroad (Prime Video)

Best Male Performance in a New Scripted Series

Lee Jung-jae, Squid Game (Netflix)

Best Ensemble Cast in a New Scripted Series

Reservation Dogs (FX)
Ensemble Cast: Devery Jacobs, D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai, Lane Factor, Paulina Alexis, Sarah Podemski, Zahn McClarnon, Lil Mike, FunnyBone
 

ABOUT FILM INDEPENDENT

For over 40 years, Film Independent has helped filmmakers get their projects made and seen. The nonprofit organization’s core mission is to champion creative independence in visual storytelling and support a community of artists who embody diversity, innovation and uniqueness of vision.

In addition to producing the Film Independent Spirit Awards, the organization supports creative professionals with Artist Development programs, grants and labs. Signature mentorship program Project Involve fosters the careers of talented filmmakers from underrepresented communities. Weekly Education events and workshops equip filmmakers of all ages and experience levels with tools and resources. Global Media Makers, a cultural exchange program produced in partnership with the U.S. Department of State, provides career-building opportunities for international film professionals. And year-round screening series Film Independent Presents delivers monthly, unique cinematic experiences to Members in Los Angeles and beyond.

The winners of the Film Independent Spirit Awards are voted on by Film Independent Members. Membership is open to the public. For more information or to become a Member, visit filmindependent.org.
 

ABOUT IFC

IFC is the home of offbeat, unexpected comedies. Acclaimed series Documentary Now! and Sherman’s Showcase air alongside fan-favorite movies and comedic cult TV shows. IFC is owned and operated by AMC Networks Inc., and available across multiple platforms. IFC is Always On, Slightly Off.
 

ABOUT AMC+

AMC+ is the company’s new premium streaming bundle featuring an extensive lineup of popular and critically acclaimed original programming from AMC, BBC America, IFC, and SundanceTV and full access to targeted streaming services Shudder, Sundance Now and IFC Films Unlimited, which feature content such as A Discovery of Witches, Creepshow and Boyhood. The service features a continually refreshed library of commercial-free content, including fan favorites Mad Men, Halt & Catch Fire, Turn: Washington’s Spies, Hell on Wheels, NOS4A2, Rectify, Orphan Black, Portlandia and series from The Walking Dead Universe, among many others. The service also offers a growing slate of original and exclusive series including Gangs of London, Kin, The North Water, Ragdoll, The Beast Must Die, Too Close, The Salisbury Poisonings, Cold Courage, Spy City, Ultra City Smiths, Anna, Anne Boleyn, Firebite and La Fortuna. AMC+ recently launched in Canada and Australia, and is available in the U.S. through AMCPlus.com, the AMC+ app, and a number of digital and cable partners.