30th Independent Spirit Awards

The 30th Film Independent Spirit Awards, honoring the best independent films of 2014, were presented by Film Independent on February 21, 2015. The nominations were announced on November 25, 2014. The ceremony was hosted by Fred Armisen and Kristen Bell, and aired live for the first time on IFC.

John Cassavetes Award
Land Ho!
 * Blue Ruin
 * It Felt Like Love
 * Man From Reno
 * Test

Robert Altman Award
(The award is given to its film director, casting director, and ensemble cast)


 * Inherent Vice – Paul Thomas Anderson, Cassandra Kulukundis, Josh Brolin, Hong Chau, Benicio del Toro, Martin Donovan, Jena Malone, Joanna Newsom, Joaquin Phoenix, Sasha Pieterse, Eric Roberts, Maya Rudolph, Martin Short, Serena Scott Thomas, Katherine Waterston, Michael Kenneth Williams, Owen Wilson, and Reese Witherspoon

Kiehl's Someone to Watch Award
Recognizes a talented filmmaker of singular vision who has not yet received appropriate recognition. The award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant funded by Kiehl's since 1851.

Rania Attieh and Daniel Garcia – H.
 * Ana Lily Amirpour – A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night
 * Chris Eska – The Retrieval

Piaget Producers Award
Honors emerging producers who, despite highly limited resources, demonstrate the creativity, tenacity and vision required to produce quality, independent films. The award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant funded by Piaget.

Chris Ohlson
 * Chad Burris
 * Elisabeth Holm

Truer than Fiction Award
Presented to an emerging director of non-fiction features who has not yet received significant recognition. The award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant funded by LensCrafters.

Dan Krauss – The Kill Team
 * Sara Dosa – The Last Season
 * Darius Clark Monroe – Evolution of a Criminal
 * Amanda Rose Wilder – Approaching the Elephant

Special Distinction Award
(The award is given to its film director, producers, and ensemble cast for its uniqueness of "vision, honesty of direction and screenwriting, superb acting and achievement on every level of filmmaking")


 * Foxcatcher – Bennett Miller (director/producer), E. Max Frye (writer), Dan Futterman (writer), Anthony Bregman (producer), Megan Ellison (producer), Jon Kilik (producer), Steve Carell (cast), Mark Ruffalo (cast), and Channing Tatum (cast)