The 2026 Film Independent Spirit Awards are being handed out Sunday — but not on a beach this year, for the first time since 1994.
The show is at a new venue this year, the Hollywood Palladium, after 40 years in a tent on the beach in Santa Monica. The Spirit Awards have been held in a tent alongside the Santa Monica Pier since its eighth edition in 1993, with the exception of its ninth edition, which was also held at the Hollywood Palladium.
“This is our first time back at the beautiful Hollywood Palladium in 32 years,” host Ego Nwodim said in her monologue. “… And in the spirit of independent filmmaking, we don’t have a permit,” she joked. “So I need everyone to stay alert, act casual and move fast. If I shout cameras down, y’all know what to do. Scatter and look like you’re waiting for the bus, OK? For some of y’all, that might be the hardest role of your career.”
Later in her monologue, Nwodim joked: “It turns out being indoors at the Palladium in Hollywood is just as expensive as being in a tent in Santa Monica. But we didn’t want to lose that waterfront ambiance entirely. So we’ve invited those freaky little boys from The Plague to splash around a little bit. Give it up for them, but do not get close to them … because they will bully you within an inch of your life.” The Plague is a psychological thriller set at a water polo camp; it’s nominated for three Spirit Awards.
The move was reportedly triggered by the city of Los Angeles’ preparations for the 2028 Summer Olympics. However, it is unclear if the move is temporary or permanent.
“Following the celebration of 40 years of the Spirit Awards earlier this year, we are excited to have the opportunity to reimagine the Spirit Awards experience during a moment of tremendous growth and transformation for our organization,” Brenda Robinson, Film Independent’s acting president said in a statement making the announcement last May. “We are proud to continue to be a beacon for the bold and resilient independent storytelling community and to honor excellence in storytelling in all its forms.”
Added Shawn Davis, executive producer of the Spirit Awards: “We’re thrilled to bring the Spirit Awards to the historic Hollywood Palladium. This move represents our continued evolution while staying true to our roots of celebrating fearless independent voices of film and television.”
For many years, the ceremony also was held the day before the Oscars ceremony. But in 2022, the show shifted to take place three weeks before the Oscars, ostensibly to have a greater influence on Academy voters. This year, Oscar voting runs Feb. 26-March 5, with the ceremony set for March 15.
Heading into the show, Peter Hujar’s Day tops the film nominees with five nods, followed by Blue Sun Palace; Lurker; One of Them Days and Sorry, Baby with four apiece. Train Dreams. Lucky Lu, The Plague and Twinless have three nods each.
The show is being streamed live on the Film Independent and IMDb YouTube channels and other social platforms.
Since 2023, the Spirit Awards has recognized performers in gender-neutral categories. See the list of winners.
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