29 Best Independent Spirit Award Films
29 titles
- 1
Hooligan SparrowMovie · 2016 · 84mFilmmaker Nanfu Wang journeys to southern China with activist Ye Haiyan, also known as Hooligan Sparrow, and her team. They are protesting the abuse of six elementary school girls by their principal. The activists, considered threats by the government, live under constant surveillance and face intimidation, questioning, and possible imprisonment. Sparrow, known for her work supporting sex workers, uses social media to fight for girls' and women's rights.IMDb 7.3TMDB 7.2 - 2
Certain WomenMovie · 2016 · 107m · DramaIn the American Northwest, three independent women navigate life's challenges. A lawyer struggles to manage a difficult client. A wife and mother's ambitious home-building project exposes problems in her marriage. And a solitary ranch hand develops a complex relationship with a young law student.IMDb 6.4TMDB 6.0 - 3
A Bigger SplashMovie · 2015 · 125m · Drama, Thriller, RomanceDuring a vacation in Italy, American couple Paul and Marianne's trip takes a turn when Marianne invites an old flame and his daughter to join them. The visit ignites jealousy and sets off a series of risky sexual situations.IMDb 6.4TMDB 6.2 - 4
ChristineMovie · 2016 · 123m · DramaIn 1974, television reporter Christine Chubbuck battles depression and career dissatisfaction while striving for advancement in her profession.IMDb 6.9TMDB 6.9 - 5
ChronicMovie · 2015 · 93m · DramaDavid is a nurse who cares for patients with terminal illnesses. He's deeply committed to his work and forms close bonds with those he helps. However, his personal life is quite different.IMDb 6.6TMDB 5.7 - 6
Hunter GathererMovie · 2016 · 85mAfter serving three years in prison, an overly optimistic middle-aged man returns to his old neighborhood hoping to win back his girlfriend. He discovers that she and his family have moved on and essentially forgotten about him.IMDb 6.2TMDB 6.3 - 7
BarryMovie · 2016 · 104m · DramaThis film follows a young Barack Obama as he navigates questions of race, cultural identity, and everyday life while attending college in New York City, shaping the person he will become.IMDb 6.0TMDB 5.7 - 8
NakomMovie · 2016 · 90mWhen his father unexpectedly passes away, a promising medical student goes back to his village in Ghana to try and save his family.IMDb 6.9TMDB 6.2 - 9
Swiss Army ManMovie · 2016 · 97m · Comedy, Drama, RomanceStranded on a remote island and resigned to a hopeless fate, Hank's life takes an unexpected turn when a body washes ashore. He sees this as a potential chance for escape. With this unlikely companion and a collection of resourceful tools, Hank embarks on a journey to return home to the woman he loves.IMDb 6.9TMDB 6.9 - 10
The FitsMovie · 2016 · 72m · DramaAt the gym, eleven-year-old Toni, a tomboy, is captivated by a dance troupe. While trying to fit in, she becomes involved in something dangerous as the dancers start experiencing fainting spells and violent seizures.IMDb 6.6TMDB 6.4 - 11
CamerapersonMovie · 2016 · 102m · DocumentaryCAMERAPERSON is a visually striking memoir that uses filmmaker Kirsten Johnson's existing footage to explore moments that have deeply impacted her. The film reframes these scenes, transforming their original presentation into a personal story about journey, filmmaking, and genuine human connection—a meditation on how the camera shapes our understanding of truth.IMDb 7.5TMDB 6.7 - 12
Women Who KillMovie · 2016 · 93mMorgan and Jean are successful true crime podcasters, but their personal relationship is rocky. When Morgan begins a relationship with the enigmatic Simone, their professional partnership unravels, replaced by growing distrust, anxiety, and fear.IMDb 5.6TMDB 4.9 - 13
SolitaryMovie · 2016 · 81mAcross the United States, 100,000 Americans are held in solitary confinement, a figure that has drawn concern from President Obama and the Pope. In rural Virginia, Red Onion State Prison is one of many "supermax" facilities designed for inmates confined to eight-by-ten-foot cells for 23 hours daily. Over a year, this film combines stark visuals of prison life with accounts from correctional officers and deeply personal stories from those in isolation. The inmates reveal their histories and the constant battle to preserve their mental well-being.IMDb 7.1TMDB 7.1 - 14
Little MenMovie · 2016 · 85m · DramaJake, a shy middle school student with artistic aspirations, connects with the outgoing Tony at his grandfather's funeral. Their unexpected friendship begins to fray when a disagreement over rent between Jake's father, Brian, and Tony's mother, Leonor, escalates into a potential conflict.IMDb 6.7TMDB 6.5 - 15
SonitaMovie · 2015 · 91mEighteen-year-old Sonita dreams of a life as a rapper, inspired by Michael Jackson and Rihanna, where she can share stories about Afghan women and their experiences as child brides. Her world is shattered when she discovers her family intends to sell her for $9,000 to a man she's never met.IMDb 7.5TMDB 6.9 - 16
The Childhood of a LeaderMovie · 2016 · 116m · DramaIn 1918 France, a young American boy's life is shaped by his father's work with the US government drafting the Treaty of Versailles. The events he observes profoundly influence his worldview, marking the beginning of a dangerous sense of self-importance.IMDb 6.2TMDB 6.2 - 17
Spa NightMovie · 2016 · 96mA young Korean-American man struggles to balance his responsibilities to his family's financial difficulties with his growing attraction to other men in the hidden world of gay encounters at Korean spas in Los Angeles.IMDb 6.1TMDB 5.6 - 18
The Eyes of My MotherMovie · 2016 · 76m · Drama, HorrorFollowing a devastating loss that shatters her peaceful rural existence, a young woman becomes increasingly consumed by her most hidden and intense desires.IMDb 6.2TMDB 6.2 - 19
KikiMovie · 2016 · 94mTwenty-five years after "Paris is Burning," this film returns to the vibrant world of voguing battles in New York City's Kiki scene. Competition between Houses requires strong leadership, rigorous practice, and flawless performances. A collaboration between Kiki leader Twiggy Pucci Garçon and filmmaker Sara Jordenö, the film offers exclusive access to this intense environment, revealing the daily lives of young LGBTQ+ people of color in NYC. The young performers embrace the motto, "Not About us Without Us." Twiggy and Sara's unique perspective provides a fresh portrayal of a marginalized community fighting for visibility and political change.IMDb 6.8TMDB 5.6 - 20
Jean of the JonesesMovie · 2016 · 88mThe death of the Jones family patriarch on their doorstep throws the family into disarray. As the paramedic who answers their 911 call tries to connect with the sharp-tongued Jean Jones, unresolved tensions erupt and long-held conflicts resurface during the funeral.IMDb 6.4TMDB 7.2 - 21
ChevalierMovie · 2015 · 105m · Drama, ComedySix men on a luxury yacht fishing trip in the Aegean Sea start a game of competition. They will be compared and measured, their abilities tested through song and physical challenges. Friendship turns to rivalry, and the desire for victory intensifies. The winner will be declared the "best man" at the end of the journey and will wear the Chevalier ring on his smallest finger.IMDb 6.2TMDB 5.6 - 22
LovesongMovie · 2017 · 85m · Drama, RomanceFeeling ignored by her husband, Sarah takes a spontaneous road trip with her daughter and her close friend, Mindy. The journey deepens their friendship, but they are separated by unforeseen events. Years later, Sarah tries to reconnect with Mindy in the time leading up to her wedding.IMDb 6.3TMDB 5.7 - 23
Free In DeedMovie · 2017 · 98mA lonely Pentecostal minister's faith is tested when a single mother seeks healing for her young son. As he prays for the boy's recovery, the minister confronts the child's seemingly incurable illness and his own inner struggles. The more he prays, the more chaotic events become.IMDb 6.5TMDB 6.5 - 24
The WitchMovie · 2016 · 92m · Horror, Drama, MysteryIn 1630, a farmer moves his family to a secluded farm bordering a forest, where unsettling events begin to occur. As suspicion grows, the family's faith, loyalty, and love are severely tested by shocking circumstances.IMDb 7.0TMDB 7.0 - 25
EmbersMovie · 2015 · 85m · Drama, Science FictionFollowing a worldwide neurological event that wiped out memories, survivors struggle to find purpose and human connection in a world devoid of the past. The film presents five interconnected stories, each examining a distinct aspect of life in this future where history is lost.IMDb 5.4TMDB 5.6 - 26
Other PeopleMovie · 2016 · 97m · Comedy, DramaDavid, recently heartbroken and seeking a fresh start, relocates from New York City to Sacramento to care for his ailing mother. He reconnects with his conservative father and younger sisters after a decade apart, finding himself an outsider in his own family. As his mother's condition worsens, David desperately attempts to find purpose in the situation, striving to appear composed and reassure everyone – including himself – that he is coping.IMDb 6.8TMDB 6.3 - 27
My Golden DaysMovie · 2015 · 123m · DramaAs Paul prepares to depart Tajikistan, he's haunted by memories of his adolescence: a childhood marked by his mother's instability, wild parties, a formative trip to the USSR where he experienced his first sexual encounter, a devastating betrayal by a friend, and the enduring memory of his first love.IMDb 6.7TMDB 6.6 - 28
AquariusMovie · 2016 · 147m · DramaClara, a lively former music critic and widow with long hair, is the last resident of a historic building slated for demolition by ambitious developers planning luxury high-rises. Clara fiercely resists the developers' attempts to force her from her home.IMDb 7.4TMDB 7.5 - 29
Morris from AmericaMovie · 2016 · 89m · Drama, RomanceThirteen-year-old Morris Gentry and his father, Curtis, move to Heidelberg, Germany. Morris, who dreams of being a famous rapper like Notorious B.I.G., feels like an outsider in a city dominated by electronic dance music. He's also instantly drawn to Katrin, a cool and independent fifteen-year-old classmate. Determined to succeed in the hip-hop world and win Katrin's affection, Morris faces considerable challenges.IMDb 6.3TMDB 6.1
