Plot Synopsis

Each year since 1984, the INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS have honored "artist-driven films made with an economy of means by filmmakers who embody independence and originality" while recognizing "the achievements of American independent filmmakers and promoting the finest independent films of the year to a wider audience." Originally known as the FINDIE (Friends of Independents) Awards, this ceremony was renamed as the INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS in 1986 and then slightly modified to FILM INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS in 2005 when the producing organization changed its name from IFP/Los Angeles to Film Independent. After being the first network to broadcast the event in 1996, the Independent Film Channel (IFC) has shown the awards program every subsequent year. Awards are given in the following categories: Best Feature; Best First Feature; Best First Screenplay; Best Director; Best Screenplay; John Cassavetes Award (given to the best feature made for a budget under $500,000); Best Male Lead; Best Female Lead; Best Supporting Male; Best Supporting Female; Best Cinematography; Best International Film; Best Documentary; Best Editing; and the Robert Altman Award.
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The 40th Annual Film Independent Spirit Awards, hosted by Aidy Bryant on the Santa Monica beach in California, were broadcast live on Saturday, February 22, 2025 at 5pm ET/2pm PT on IMDb's YouTube channel, as well as Film Independent's YouTube channel. Honorary chair Molly Shannon is joined by fellow presenters like Tadanobu Asano, Carrie Coon, Danielle Deadwyler, Mark & Jay Duplass, Walton Goggins, Kathryn Hahn, Alana Haim, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Patti LuPone, Melanie Lynskey, Natasha Lyonne, Sonequa Martin-Green, Natalie Morales, Ruth Negga, Karen Pittman, Questlove, Edgar Ramirez, Hunter Schafer, Randy & Jason Sklar, Julio Torres, Jessica Williams and Michelle Yeoh.