31st Independent Spirit Awards

The 31st Film Independent Spirit Awards, honoring the best independent films of 2015, were presented by Film Independent on February 27, 2016. The nominations were announced on November 24, 2015. The ceremony was hosted by Kate McKinnon and Kumail Nanjiani, and broadcast live on IFC.

John Cassavetes Award
Krisha
 * Advantageous
 * Christmas, Again
 * Heaven Knows What
 * Out of My Hand

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


 * Spotlight – Tom McCarthy, Kerry Barden, Paul Schnee, Michael Cyril Creighton, Billy Crudup, Paul Guilfoyle, Neal Huff, Brian d'Arcy James, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Mark Ruffalo, Liev Schreiber, Jamey Sheridan, John Slattery, and Stanley Tucci

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.


 * Felix Thompson – King Jack
 * Robert Machoian and Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck – God Bless the Child
 * Chloé Zhao – Songs My Brothers Taught Me

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.


 * Mel Eslyn – Lamb
 * Darren Dean – Tangerine
 * Rebecca Green and Laura D. Smith – It Follows and I'll See You in My Dreams

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.


 * Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi – Incorruptible
 * Alex Sichel and Elizabeth Giamatti – A Woman Like Me
 * Hemal Trivedi and Mohammed Ali Naqvi – Among the Believers