The Film Independent Spirit Awards have always been unpredictable, but that is exactly what makes them one of the most talked-about nights in Hollywood. Unlike other major award shows that often follow industry expectations, the Spirits tend to reward risk-taking, originality, and the kind of storytelling that doesn’t always fit into mainstream formulas.

That reputation was on full display again in 2026. This year’s ceremony delivered plenty of applause-worthy moments, but it also sparked immediate buzz for a different reason, several high-profile contenders that seemed destined for success ended up watching the celebration from the sidelines.

With so much hype surrounding this year’s biggest nominees, did anyone expect the night to end with multiple shutouts?

The 2026 Film Independent Spirit Awards started off with plenty of energy, especially as host Ego Nwodim used her monologue to highlight the variety of projects celebrated by the ceremony. Some films were praised for their intimate storytelling, while others were noted for capturing large-scale ambition within a small indie framework.

  However, the excitement shifted once the trophies began rolling out. Peter Hujar’s Day, which entered the ceremony as the most-nominated film with five nods, ended the night without a single win. The same outcome hit One of Them Days, another major contender that had been expected to land at least one trophy based on its strong showing in the nominations list.  

The shutouts continued with Twinless, another critically praised title that also failed to win despite earning multiple nominations. On the television side, the snub conversation expanded further, as nominated series like Forever and Mr. Loverman also went home without wins, adding to the sense that the 2026 Independent Spirit Awards results didn’t follow the predicted script.

The 41st 2026 Film Independent Spirit Awards aired live on February 15 at 2 p.m. PT / 5 p.m. ET and was streamed on Film Independent and IMDb’s YouTube channels. One can still watch or rewatch the highlights on their YouTube pages.

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So if the biggest nominees were snubbed, which projects actually ended up taking control of the night?

The 2026 Film Independent Spirit Awards still delivered major wins, with Train Dreams emerging as the biggest success story of the night. The film claimed Best Feature, instantly placing it at the center of the ceremony’s highlights and giving it one of the most prestigious prizes the Spirits can offer.

Other indie favorites also made a strong impact. Lurker and Sorry, Baby were among the night’s multi-award winners, proving that the ceremony leaned heavily into fresh storytelling and standout creative vision. A major surprise also arrived in the breakthrough performance category, where The Plague star Kayo Martin scored a win over several expected contenders.

In the TV categories, the night belonged to Netflix’s Adolescence, which swept all four awards it was nominated for. The limited series continued its strong awards momentum nearly a year after its premiere, becoming the clear television standout of the ceremony.

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Which Spirit Awards 2026 snub shocked you the most? Let us know in the comments!