Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female

The Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female was an award presented annually by Film Independent. It is given in honor of an actress who has delivered an absolutely outstanding performance in a supporting role while working in an independent film. It was first presented in 1985 with Anjelica Huston being the first recipient of the award for her role as Gretta Conroy in The Dead. It was last presented in 2022 with Ruth Negga being the final recipient of the award for her role in Passing.

In 2022, it was announced that the four acting categories would be retired and replaced with two gender neutral categories, with both Best Supporting Male and Best Supporting Female merging into the Best Supporting Performance category.

Since its inception, the award has been given to 33 actresses. With 3 nominations, Allison Janney is the most nominated female in this category (finally winning one for her performance in I, Tonya).

Multiple nominees

 * 3 nominations
 * Allison Janney


 * 2 nominations


 * Cate Blanchett
 * Jessica Chastain
 * Patricia Clarkson
 * Rosemarie DeWitt
 * Melonie Diaz
 * Marcia Gay Harden
 * Anjelica Huston
 * Jennifer Jason Leigh
 * Jennifer Lopez
 * Amy Madigan
 * Frances McDormand
 * Chloë Sevigny
 * Lili Taylor
 * Mare Winningham