- The 2025 Independent Spirit Awards took place in Santa Monica on Saturday.
- “Anora” was the big winner in the film categories, taking home best feature.
- Meanwhile, Netflix’s “Baby Reindeer” nabbed three acting prizes.
The 40th annual Independent Spirit Awards took place in Santa Monica on Saturday, with “Anora” dominating in the film categories and Netflix’s “Baby Reindeer” also winning big.
Sean Baker’s sex worker drama took home multiple awards, including best feature, best director, and best lead performance for star Mikey Madison.
Madison picked up the trophy fresh off of winning best actress at the BAFTAs last weekend. The film itself has been on a hot streak in the final leg of this year’s award season, nabbing prizes at the Critics Choice, PGA, DGA, and WGA awards in recent weeks.
Madison beat out Demi Moore as well as some of the year’s most acclaimed male performers, including Colman Domingo and Sebastian Stan.
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In short, “Anora” has gained some major awards season momentum. Per Gold Derby’s latest predictions, the Neon indie drama is now the frontrunner to win in the best film and best director categories at the Academy Awards next month.
Elsewhere in the film categories, Sean Wang’s “Dìdi” won best first feature and best first screenplay, while Kieran Culkin continued his winning streak as he picked up best supporting performance for “A Real Pain,” which also won best screenplay for director-writer Jesse Eisenberg.
In other categories, “Nickel Boys” nabbed the best cinematography prize, “September 5” won for best editing, and “No Other Land” scored the win for best documentary.
Over on the TV side, “Baby Reindeer” went home with multiple awards. The Netflix series won three acting prizes for cast members Richard Gadd, Nava Mau, and Jessica Gunning who won for lead, supporting, and breakthrough performance, respectively.
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The award for best new scripted series went to FX’s “Shōgun.” Meanwhile, “Hollywood Black” took home the award for best new non-scripted series.
The Independent Spirit Awards aims to celebrate the best in independent film and television, offering a more irreverent take on the Oscars.
Joking at the ceremony, returning emcee Aidy Bryant called it “Hollywood’s third or fourth biggest night.”
