36th Independent Spirit Awards

The 36th Film Independent Spirit Awards, honoring the best independent films and television series of 2020, were presented by Film Independent on April 22, 2021. Though it was initially intended for the ceremony to air on April 24, 2021, it was later changed to April 22, 2021. The nominations were announced on January 26, 2021 by Laverne Cox, Barry Jenkins, and Olivia Wilde. The ceremony was televised in the United States on IFC and streamed exclusively by AMC+. Melissa Villaseñor hosted the ceremony.

Expansion
This year, the Film Independent expanded categories in order to honor television series for the first time, debuting five new categories: Best New Scripted Series, Best New Non-Scripted or Documentary Series, Best Male Performance in a New Scripted Series, Best Female Performance in a New Scripted Series, and Best Ensemble Cast in a New Scripted Series.

John Cassavetes Award
(The award is given to the best feature made for under $500,000; recipients are the writer, director, and producer)

Residue
 * The Killing of Two Lovers
 * La Leyenda Negra
 * Lingua Franca
 * Saint Frances

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


 * One Night in Miami... – Regina King, Kimberly R. Hardin, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Eli Goree, Aldis Hodge, and Leslie Odom Jr.

Producers Award
The award honors emerging producers, who despite highly limited resources demonstrate the creativity, tenacity, and vision required to create quality independent films. The winner receives a $25,000 unrestricted cash grant courtesy of Spirit Award Premier Sponsors Genesis Motor North America.


 * Gerry Kim
 * Kara Durrett
 * Lucas Joaquin

Someone to Watch Award
The award honors a talented filmmaker of singular vision who has not yet received appropriate recognition. The winner receives a $25,000 unrestricted cash grant courtesy of Spirit Award Premier Sponsors Genesis Motor North America.


 * Ekwa Msangi – Farewell Amor
 * David Midell – The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain
 * Annie Silverstein – Bull

Truer than Fiction Award
The award honors to an emerging director of non-fiction features who has not yet received appropriate recognition. The winner receives a $25,000 unrestricted cash grant courtesy of Spirit Award Premier Sponsors Genesis Motor North America.


 * Elegance Bratton – Pier Kids
 * Cecilia Aldarondo – Landfall
 * Elizabeth Lo – Stray