38th Independent Spirit Awards

This year, gender-neutral categories were introduced. The organization had switched the traditionally separated male and female lead and supporting categories for film and television, and instead combined them with ten nominations each in two new categories: Best Lead Performance and Best Supporting Performance. The same had become true for the television categories with Best Lead Performance in a New Scripted Series as well as the newly added award for Best Supporting Performance in a New Scripted Series. Additionally, a retired film category was re-introduced: Best Breakthrough Performance; it was discontinued in 2005, but is limited to only five nominees. Film Independent had also increased the budget cap for eligible films to $30 million to account for the rising cost of production. Over the years, the budget cap had increased incrementally from $20 million in 2006 to $22.5 million in 2019. The budget cap for the Independent Spirit John Cassavetes Award, presented to a film's writer, director and producer, also increased from $500K to $1 million. In response to the then-continuing impact of COVID-19 on filmmakers and the industry, Film Independent once again waived the theatrical run typically required for eligibility, ensuring more opportunities for independent filmmakers to be recognized and celebrated.^{[1][2][3][23][24][25]}

(The award is given to the best feature made for under $1,000,000; award given to the writer, director, and producer)

• The Cathedral – Ricky D'Ambrose (writer/director); Graham Swon (producer)
  • The African Desperate – Martine Syms (writer/director/producer); Rocket Caleshu (writer/producer); Vic Brooks (producer)
  • Holy Emy – Araceli Lemos (writer/director); Giulia Caruso (writer/producer); Mathieu Bompoint, Ki Jin Kim, and Konstantinos Vassilaros (producers)
  • A Love Song – Max Walker-Silverman (writer/director/producer); Jesse Hope and Dan Janvey (producers)
  • Something in the Dirt – Justin Benson (writer/director/producer); Aaron Moorhead (director/producer); David Lawson Jr. (producer)

(The award is given to the film's director, casting director, and ensemble cast)

• Women Talking – Sarah Polley (director); John Buchan and Jason Knight (casting directors); Shayla Brown, Jessie Buckley, Claire Foy, Kira Guloien, Kate Hallett, Judith Ivey, Rooney Mara, Sheila McCarthy, Frances McDormand, Michelle McLeod, Liv McNeil, Ben Whishaw, and August Winter (cast)

The award honors emerging producers who, despite highly limited resources, demonstrate the creativity, tenacity and vision required to produce quality, independent films.

• Tory Lenosky
  • Liz Cardenas
  • David Grove Churchill Viste

The award recognizes a talented filmmaker of singular vision who has not yet received appropriate recognition.

• Nikyatu Jusu – Nanny
  • Adamma Ebo – Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul.
  • Araceli Lemos – Holy Emy

The award is presented to an emerging director of non-fiction features who has not yet received significant recognition.

• Reid Davenport – I Didn't See You There
  • Isabel Castro – Mija
  • Rebeca Huntt – Beba