33rd Independent Spirit Awards

The 33rd Film Independent Spirit Awards, honoring the best independent films of 2017, were presented by Film Independent on March 3, 2018. The nominations were announced on November 21, 2017 by actresses Lily Collins and Tessa Thompson. The ceremony was televised in the United States by IFC, taking place inside its usual tent setting on a beach in Santa Monica, California. Nick Kroll and John Mulaney returned to host the ceremony for the second time.

John Cassavetes Award

 * Life and Nothing More
 * Dayveon
 * A Ghost Story
 * Most Beautiful Island
 * The Transfiguration

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


 * Mudbound – Dee Rees, Billy Hopkins, Ashley Ingram, Jonathan Banks, Mary J. Blige, Jason Clarke, Garrett Hedlund, Jason Mitchell, Rob Morgan and Carey Mulligan

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.


 * Justin Chon – Gook
 * Amman Abbasi – Dayveon
 * Kevin Phillips – Super Dark Times

The BONNIE Award
The inaugural award recognizes a mid-career female director with a body of work that demonstrates uniqueness of vision and a groundbreaking approach to filmmaking. The award includes a $50,000 unrestricted grant funded by American Airlines.


 * Chloé Zhao
 * So Yong Kim
 * Lynn Shelton

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.


 * Summer Shelton – Keep the Change
 * Giulia Caruso and Ki Jin Kim – Columbus
 * Ben LeClair – The Lovers

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.


 * 'Jonathan Olshefski – Quest''
 * Shevaun Mizrahi – Distant Constellation
 * Jeff Unay – The Cage Fighter