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
Ira Sachs, Peter Hujar’s Day
James Sweeney, Twinless
Eva Victor, Sorry, Baby
 

Wednesday, January 21

Best New Scripted Series

12:00 pm PT

Stacey Aglok MacDonald, North of North
Alethea Arnaquq-Baril, North of North
Joe Bennett, Common Side Effects
Steve Hely, Common Side Effects
Mara Brock Akil, Forever
Stephen Graham, Adolescence
Jack Thorne, Adolescence
 

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
Rungano Nyoni, On Becoming a Guinea Fowl
 

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

 

Monday, January 26

Best First Feature

5:30 pm PT

Kate Beecroft, East of Wall
Bryan Fuller, Dust Bunny
Lawrence Lamont, One of Them Days
Alex Russell, Lurker
Constance Tsang, Blue Sun Palace
 

Tuesday, January 27

John Cassavetes Award

5:30 pm PT

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

Wednesday, January 28

Best New Non-Scripted/Documentary Series

5:30 pm PT

Panelists TBA
 

Thursday, January 29

Best Screenplay

5:30 pm PT

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

Friday, January 30

Best First Screenplay

5:30 pm PT

Andrew DeYoung, Friendship
Elena Oxman, Outerlands
Alex Russell, Lurker
Syreeta Singleton, One of Them Days
Constance Tsang, Blue Sun Palace
 
 

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.