37th Independent Spirit Awards

The 37th Film Independent Spirit Awards, honoring the best independent films and television series of 2021, were presented by Film Independent on March 6, 2022. Traditionally held the Saturday before the Academy Awards, the 2022 date marks a shift in the season, placing the Spirit Awards squarely in the corridor leading into Oscar voting. The nominations were announced on December 14, 2021 by actresses Beanie Feldstein, Regina Hall, and Naomi Watts. Returning to an in-person ceremony this year, the event was televised in the United States on IFC and streamed exclusively for subscribers by AMC+. Married couple Megan Mullally and Nick Offerman hosted the ceremony.

The grant recipients for the Emerging Filmmakers Awards were announced on February 10, 2022.

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

Shiva Baby
 * Cryptozoo
 * Jockey
 * Sweet Thing
 * This Is Not a War Story

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


 * Mass – Fran Kranz (director), Henry Russell Bergstein (casting director), Allison Estrin (casting director), Kagen Albright, Reed Birney, Michelle N. Carter, Ann Dowd, Jason Isaacs, Martha Plimpton, and Breeda Wool

Producers Award
The 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.


 * Lizzie Shapiro – Shiva Baby
 * Brad Becker-Parton – Italian Studies
 * Pin-Chun Liu – Test Pattern

Someone to Watch Award
The award recognizes talented filmmakers of singular vision who have not yet received appropriate recognition. The award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant.


 * Alex Camilleri – Luzzu
 * Gillian Wallace Horvat – I Blame Society
 * Michael Sarnoski – Pig

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


 * Jessica Beshir – Faya Dayi
 * Debbie Lum – Try Harder!
 * Angelo Madsen Minax – North by Current