29 Best Independent Spirit Award Films

Filmmaker Nanfu Wang journeys to southern China with activist Ye Haiyan, also known as Hooligan Sparrow, and her team. They are protesting the abuse of six elementary school girls by their principal. The activists, considered threats by the government, live…

In the American Northwest, three independent women navigate life's challenges. A lawyer struggles to manage a difficult client. A wife and mother's ambitious home-building project exposes problems in her marriage. And a solitary ranch hand develops a complex relationship with…

During a vacation in Italy, American couple Paul and Marianne's trip takes a turn when Marianne invites an old flame and his daughter to join them. The visit ignites jealousy and sets off a series of risky sexual situations.

In 1974, television reporter Christine Chubbuck battles depression and career dissatisfaction while striving for advancement in her profession.

David is a nurse who cares for patients with terminal illnesses. He's deeply committed to his work and forms close bonds with those he helps. However, his personal life is quite different.

After serving three years in prison, an overly optimistic middle-aged man returns to his old neighborhood hoping to win back his girlfriend. He discovers that she and his family have moved on and essentially forgotten about him.

This film follows a young Barack Obama as he navigates questions of race, cultural identity, and everyday life while attending college in New York City, shaping the person he will become.

When his father unexpectedly passes away, a promising medical student goes back to his village in Ghana to try and save his family.

Stranded on a remote island and resigned to a hopeless fate, Hank's life takes an unexpected turn when a body washes ashore. He sees this as a potential chance for escape. With this unlikely companion and a collection of resourceful…

At the gym, eleven-year-old Toni, a tomboy, is captivated by a dance troupe. While trying to fit in, she becomes involved in something dangerous as the dancers start experiencing fainting spells and violent seizures.

CAMERAPERSON is a visually striking memoir that uses filmmaker Kirsten Johnson's existing footage to explore moments that have deeply impacted her. The film reframes these scenes, transforming their original presentation into a personal story about journey, filmmaking, and genuine human…

Morgan and Jean are successful true crime podcasters, but their personal relationship is rocky. When Morgan begins a relationship with the enigmatic Simone, their professional partnership unravels, replaced by growing distrust, anxiety, and fear.

Across the United States, 100,000 Americans are held in solitary confinement, a figure that has drawn concern from President Obama and the Pope. In rural Virginia, Red Onion State Prison is one of many "supermax" facilities designed for inmates confined…

Jake, a shy middle school student with artistic aspirations, connects with the outgoing Tony at his grandfather's funeral. Their unexpected friendship begins to fray when a disagreement over rent between Jake's father, Brian, and Tony's mother, Leonor, escalates into a…

Eighteen-year-old Sonita dreams of a life as a rapper, inspired by Michael Jackson and Rihanna, where she can share stories about Afghan women and their experiences as child brides. Her world is shattered when she discovers her family intends to…

In 1918 France, a young American boy's life is shaped by his father's work with the US government drafting the Treaty of Versailles. The events he observes profoundly influence his worldview, marking the beginning of a dangerous sense of self-importance.

A young Korean-American man struggles to balance his responsibilities to his family's financial difficulties with his growing attraction to other men in the hidden world of gay encounters at Korean spas in Los Angeles.

Following a devastating loss that shatters her peaceful rural existence, a young woman becomes increasingly consumed by her most hidden and intense desires.

Twenty-five years after "Paris is Burning," this film returns to the vibrant world of voguing battles in New York City's Kiki scene. Competition between Houses requires strong leadership, rigorous practice, and flawless performances. A collaboration between Kiki leader Twiggy Pucci…

The death of the Jones family patriarch on their doorstep throws the family into disarray. As the paramedic who answers their 911 call tries to connect with the sharp-tongued Jean Jones, unresolved tensions erupt and long-held conflicts resurface during the…

Six men on a luxury yacht fishing trip in the Aegean Sea start a game of competition. They will be compared and measured, their abilities tested through song and physical challenges. Friendship turns to rivalry, and the desire for victory…

Feeling ignored by her husband, Sarah takes a spontaneous road trip with her daughter and her close friend, Mindy. The journey deepens their friendship, but they are separated by unforeseen events. Years later, Sarah tries to reconnect with Mindy in…

A lonely Pentecostal minister's faith is tested when a single mother seeks healing for her young son. As he prays for the boy's recovery, the minister confronts the child's seemingly incurable illness and his own inner struggles. The more he…

In 1630, a farmer moves his family to a secluded farm bordering a forest, where unsettling events begin to occur. As suspicion grows, the family's faith, loyalty, and love are severely tested by shocking circumstances.

Following a worldwide neurological event that wiped out memories, survivors struggle to find purpose and human connection in a world devoid of the past. The film presents five interconnected stories, each examining a distinct aspect of life in this future…

David, recently heartbroken and seeking a fresh start, relocates from New York City to Sacramento to care for his ailing mother. He reconnects with his conservative father and younger sisters after a decade apart, finding himself an outsider in his…

As Paul prepares to depart Tajikistan, he's haunted by memories of his adolescence: a childhood marked by his mother's instability, wild parties, a formative trip to the USSR where he experienced his first sexual encounter, a devastating betrayal by a…

Clara, a lively former music critic and widow with long hair, is the last resident of a historic building slated for demolition by ambitious developers planning luxury high-rises. Clara fiercely resists the developers' attempts to force her from her home.

Thirteen-year-old Morris Gentry and his father, Curtis, move to Heidelberg, Germany. Morris, who dreams of being a famous rapper like Notorious B.I.G., feels like an outsider in a city dominated by electronic dance music. He's also instantly drawn to Katrin,…