31st Independent Spirit Awards

Krisha

• Advantageous
• Christmas, Again
• Heaven Knows What
• Out of My Hand

(The award is given to its film director, casting director, and ensemble cast)

• Spotlight — Tom McCarthy, Kerry Barden, Paul Schnee, Michael Cyril Creighton, Billy Crudup, Paul Guilfoyle, Neal Huff, Brian d'Arcy James, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Mark Ruffalo, Liev Schreiber, Jamey Sheridan, John Slattery and Stanley Tucci

Recognizes a talented filmmaker of singular vision who has not yet received appropriate recognition. The award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant funded by Kiehl's since 1851.

• Felix Thompson – King Jack
• Chloé Zhao – Songs My Brothers Taught Me
• Robert Machoian and Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck – God Bless the Child

Honors emerging producers who, despite highly limited resources, demonstrate the creativity, tenacity and vision required to produce quality, independent films. The award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant funded by Piaget.

• Mel Eslyn (Lamb)
• Darren Dean (Tangerine)
• Rebecca Green and Laura D. Smith (It Follows and I'll See You in My Dreams)

Presented to an emerging director of non-fiction features who has not yet received significant recognition. The award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant.

• Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi – Incorruptible
• Alex Sichel and Elizabeth Giamatti – A Woman Like Me
• Hemal Trivedi and Mohammed Ali Naqvi – Among the Believers