Clint Bentley’s Train Dreams was named Best Feature at the 41st Film Independent Spirit Awards on Sunday, marking a shift in venue for the ceremony from its long-held location on Santa Monica State Beach to the Hollywood Palladium. The move, acknowledged with a playful remark by host Ego Nwodim about lacking the necessary permits, signaled a new era for the awards, which celebrate independent cinema.
The awards showcased a strong showing for films supported by the Sundance Institute. Eva Victor’s debut feature, Sorry, Baby, earned the Best Screenplay award, building on its success at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival where it won the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award: U.S. Dramatic. Naomi Ackie received the Best Supporting Performance award for her work in Sorry, Baby. Alex Russell’s debut, Lurker, too premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival and was recognized with the Best First Feature award.
Rose Byrne was awarded Best Lead Performance for her role in If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, a film that also debuted at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. Byrne showcased a Loewe dress with cascading blue, yellow, and green ruffles as she accepted the award.
Geeta Gandbhir’s documentary, The Perfect Neighbor, completed the list of major award winners. The Spirit Awards, known for their candid atmosphere and celebration of originality, highlighted the contributions of the Sundance Institute, with multiple supported projects receiving accolades.
The 2026 Spirit Awards recognized the following Sundance Institute-supported projects: Train Dreams, Sorry, Baby, and Lurker.
