The 2026 Film Independent Spirit Awards delivered plenty of surprises on Sunday night — and some major disappointments.
Despite leading the nominations list, Peter Hujar’s Day walked away with no trophies. It wasn’t alone. Other high-profile films like One of Them Days and Twinless were also shut out in a ceremony that left fans and critics stunned.
Here’s a full breakdown of what happened at this year’s Spirit Awards.
A Night of Big Surprises in Hollywood
The Film Independent Spirit Awards took place live at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles.
The ceremony was hosted by comedian and actress Ego Nwodim, who opened the night with a humorous monologue highlighting the contrasting scales of storytelling in two of the evening’s most talked-about films: Peter Hujar’s Day and One of Them Days.
Ironically, neither film won a single award.
The event was streamed live on Film Independent and IMDb’s YouTube channels, drawing global attention from film lovers.
‘Peter Hujar’s Day’ — Five Nominations, Zero Wins
Going into the ceremony, Peter Hujar’s Day led the pack with five nominations — more than any other film.
The film was written and directed by Ira Sachs and starred Ben Whishaw and Rebecca Hall.
It was nominated for:
Best Feature
Acting categories
Additional key independent film honours
Despite strong critical support and industry backing, it failed to convert any of its nominations into wins.
For many observers, this was one of the biggest shocks of the night.
‘One of Them Days’ Also Misses Out
Another major contender, One of Them Days, entered the awards with four nominations.
The film starred SZA and Keke Palmer, was produced by Issa Rae, directed by Lawrence Lamont, and written by Syreeta Singleton.
Breakthrough Performance Upset
SZA received a nomination for Best Breakthrough Performance. However, in one of the evening’s most unexpected results, the award went to Kayo Martin for The Plague.
That upset added to the disappointment for the film’s team.
‘Twinless’ Shut Out Despite Praise
Acclaimed indie drama Twinless, directed by James Sweeney and starring Dylan O’Brien, also failed to win.
The film had earned three nominations, including Best Feature, but left empty-handed.
Many critics had tipped it as a strong contender due to its festival buzz and powerful performances.
TV Categories: ‘Adolescence’ Sweeps
On the television side, the biggest winner was Adolescence.
The Netflix limited series:
Won all four of its nominated categories
Continued its awards momentum nearly a year after release
Strengthened its status as one of the year’s most decorated shows
In contrast, two other series that also received four nominations each — Forever and Mr Loverman — went home without any wins.
Other Major Winners of the Night
While some favourites missed out, others celebrated big victories.
Train Dreams won Best Feature
Lurker picked up multiple awards
Sorry, Baby also secured several wins
These films ultimately dominated the night’s film categories.
Why the Spirit Awards Matter
The Film Independent Spirit Awards are known for celebrating:
Independent filmmaking
Smaller-budget productions
Artistic storytelling
Emerging talent
Unlike larger mainstream ceremonies, the Spirit Awards often spotlight creative risk-taking and fresh voices in cinema and television.
That unpredictability was on full display this year.
Final Thoughts: A Night of Highs and Lows
The 2026 Spirit Awards proved once again that nominations do not guarantee victories.
Peter Hujar’s Day, One of Them Days, Twinless, Forever, and Mr Loverman all entered the night with strong momentum — yet left without awards.
Meanwhile, Adolescence continued its winning streak, and films like Train Dreams capitalised on their opportunities.
For fans and filmmakers alike, the night was a reminder of the competitive and often surprising nature of the awards season.
Sources:
Film Independent (Official Spirit Awards Broadcast)
IMDb YouTube Livestream
Ceremony coverage from entertainment industry reports
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