Independent Spirit John Cassavetes Award

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John Cassavetes Award
Awarded forBest creative team of a film budgeted at less than $500,000
Presented byIndependent Spirit Awards
First awardThe Blair Witch Project (1999)
Currently held byGirls Will Be Girls (2024)
Websitespiritawards.com

The Independent Spirit John Cassavetes Award is presented to the creative team of a film budgeted at less than $1,000,000 by the Film Independent, a non-profit organization dedicated to independent film and independent filmmakers. It is named after actor/screenwriter/director John Cassavetes, a pioneer of American independent film. The award is given to the directors, writers and producers of a film.[1]

History

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Created for the 15th Independent Spirit Awards, it was originally called the Independent Spirit Award for Best First Feature (Under $500,000). After that, the rules changed so that any feature film budgeted under $500,000 could be eligible (regardless of how many films the director has made), hence the new name. The first recipient of the award was the horror film The Blair Witch Project. In 2023, the rules changed to include any feature film budgeted under $1,000,000.[2] At the 40th Independent Spirit Awards, it was jokingly referred to as the Gena Rowlands Award (after Cassavetes's wife who has passed away),[3] although it continues to be officially known as the John Cassavetes Award.

Winners and nominees

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1990s

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Year Film Director(s) Writer(s) Producer(s)
1999
 The Blair Witch Project Daniel Myrick, Eduardo Sanchez Gregg Hale, Robin Cowie
La Ciudad David Riker David Riker, Paul S. Mezey
Compensation Zeinabu irene Davis Marc Arthur Chery Marc Arthur Chery, Zeinabu Irene Davis
Judy Berlin Eric Mendelsohn Rocco Caruso
Treasure Island Scott King Adrienne Gruben

2000s

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Year Film Director(s) Writer(s) Producer(s)
2000
 Chuck & Buck Miguel Arteta Mike White Matthew Greenfield
Bunny Mia Trachinger Rebecca Sonnenshine, Mia Trachinger
Everything Put Together Marc Forster Marc Forster, Adam Forgash, Catherine Lloyd Burns Sean Furst
Groove Greg Harrison Danielle Renfrew
Our Song Jim McKay Jim McKay, Paul S. Mezey, Diana E. Williams
2001
 Jackpot Michael Polish Michael Polish, Mark Polish
Acts of Worship Rosemary Rodriguez Nadia Leonelli, Fredrick Sundwall, Rosemary Rodriguez
Kaaterskill Falls Josh Apter, Peter Olsen
Punks Patrik-Ian Polk Patrik-Ian Polk, Tracey E. Edmonds, Michael McQuarn
Virgil Bliss Joe Maggio Joe Maggio, John Maggio
2002
 Personal Velocity Rebecca Miller[4] Lemore Syvan, Alexis Alexanian, Gary Winick
Charlotte Sometimes Eric Byler Marc Ambrose, Eric Byler
Dahmer David Jacobson Larry Rattner
ivans xtc. Bernard Rose Lisa Enos, Bernard Rose Lisa Enos
The Slaughter Rule Alex Smith, Andrew J. Smith Gregory O'Connor, Michael Robinson
2003
 The Station Agent Tom McCarthy[5] Mary Jane Skalski, Robert May, Kathryn Tucker
Anne B. Real Lisa France Lisa France, Antonio Macia Luis Moro, Jeanine Rohn, Josselyne Herman Saccio
Better Luck Tomorrow Justin Lin Ernesto M. Foronda, Justin Lin, Fabian Marquez Julie Asato, Justin Lin, Ernesto M. Foronda
Pieces of April Peter Hedges Alexis Alexanian, John S. Lyons, Gary Winick
Virgin Deborah Kampmeier Sarah Schenck
2004
 Mean Creek Jacob Aaron Estes Hagai Shaham, Rick Rosenthal, Susan Johnson
Down to the Bone Debra Granik Debra Granik, Richard Lieske Susan Leber, Anne Rosellini
On the Outs Lori Silverbush, Michael Skolnik Lori Silverbush Lori Silverbush, Michael Skolnik
Robbing Peter Mario F. de la Vega T. Todd Flinchum, Lisa Y. Garibay, Mario F. de la Vega
Unknown Soldier Ferenc Toth Sean Bachrodt, Seth Eisman, Chachi Senior, Ferenc Totho
2005
 Conventioneers Mora Stephens Mora Stephens, Joel Viertel Joel Viertel
Brick Rian Johnson Ram Bergman, Mark G. Mathis
Jellysmoke Mark Banning Mark Banning, Cliff Charles, Mad Matthewz
The Puffy Chair Jay Duplass Jay Duplass, Mark Duplass Mark Duplass
Room Kyle Henry Allen Bain, Darren Goldberg, Jesse Scolaro
2006
 Quinceañera Richard Glatzer, Wash Westmoreland Anne Clements
12 and Holding Michael Cuesta Anthony Cipriano Leslie Urdang, Michael Cuesta, Brian Bell, Jenny Schweitzer
Chalk Mike Akel Chris Mass, Maike Akel Mike Akel, Angela Alvarez, Graham Davidson, Chris Mass
Four Eyed Monsters Arin Crumley, Susan Buice
Old Joy Kelly Reichardt Jonathan Raymond, Kelly Reichardt Lars Knudsen, Jay Van Hoy, Anish Savjani, Neil Kopp
2007
 August Evening Chris Eska Connie Hill, Jason Wehling
Owl and the Sparrow Stephane Gauger Nguyen Van Quan, Doan Nhat Nam, Stephane Gauger
The Pool Chris Smith Chris Smith, Randy Russell Kate Noble
Quiet City Aaron Katz Aaron Katz, Erin Fisher, Cris Lankenau Brendan McFadden, Ben Stambler
Shotgun Stories Jeff Nichols David Gordon Green, Lisa Muskat, Jeff Nichols
2008
 In Search of a Midnight Kiss Alex Holdridge Seth Caplan, Scoot McNairy
Prince of Broadway Sean Baker Sean Baker, Darren Dean Darren Dean
The Signal David Bruckner, Dan Bush, Jacob Gentry Jacob Gentry, Alexander Motlagh
Take Out Sean Baker, Shih-Ching Tsou
Turn the River Chris Eigeman Ami Armstrong
2009
 Humpday Lynn Shelton
Big Fan Robert D. Siegel Jean Kouremetis, Elan Bogarin
The New Year Parade Tom Quinn Steve Beal, Tom Quinn
Treeless Mountain So Yong Kim Bradley Rust Gray, Ben Howe, Lars Knudsen, Jay Van Hoy, So Yong Kim
Zero Bridge Tariq Tapa Hilal Ahmed Langoo, Josée Lajoie, Tariq Tapa

2010s

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Year Film Director(s) Writer(s) Producer(s)
2010
 Daddy Longlegs Ben Safdie and Joshua Safdie Casey Neistat, Tom Scott
The Exploding Girl Bradley Rust Gray Karin Chien, Ben Howe, So Yong Kim
Lbs. Matthew Bonifacio Matthew Bonifacio, Carmine Famiglietti
Lovers of Hate Bryan Poyser Megan Gilbride
Obselidia Diane Bell Chris Byrne, Matthew Medlin
2011
 Pariah Dee Rees Nekisa Cooper
Bellflower Evan Glodell Vincent Grashaw, Evan Glodell
Circumstance Maryam Keshavarz Karin Chien, Maryam Keshavarz, Melissa Lee
The Dynamiter Matthew Gordon Brad Ingelsby Kevin Abrams, Matthew Gordon, Merrilee Holt, Art Jones, Mike Jones, Nate Tuck, Amile Wilson
Hello Lonesome Adam Reid
2012
 Middle of Nowhere Ava DuVernay[6] Paul Garnes, Howard Barish, Ava DuVernay
Breakfast with Curtis Laura Colella
Mosquita y Mari Aurora Guerrero Chad Burris
The Color Wheel Alex Ross Perry Alex Ross Perry, Carlen Altman Alex Ross Perry
Starlet Sean Baker Chris Bergoch, Sean Baker Blake Ashman-Kipervaser, Kevin Chinoy, Patrick Cunningham, Chris Maybach, Francesca Silvestri
2013
 This Is Martin Bonner Chad Hartigan Cherie Saulter
Computer Chess Andrew Bujalski Houston King, Alex Lipschultz
Crystal Fairy & the Magical Cactus Sebastián Silva Juan de Dios Larraín, Pablo Larraín
Museum Hours Jem Cohen Paolo Calamita, Gabriele Kranzelbinder
Pit Stop Yen Tan Yen Tan, David Lowery Jonathan Duffy, James M. Johnston, Eric Steele, Kelly Williams
2014
 Land Ho! Aaron Katz, Martha Stephens Christina Jennings, Mynette Louie, Sara Murphy
Blue Ruin Jeremy Saulnier Richard Peete, Vincent Savino, Anish Savjani
It Felt Like Love Eliza Hittman Shrihari Sathe, Laura Wagner, Eliza Hittman
Man from Reno Dave Boyle Dave Boyle, Joel Clark, Michael Lerman Ko Mori
Test Chris Mason Johnson Chris Martin
2015
 Krisha Trey Edward Shults Trey Edward Shults, Justin R. Chan, Chase Joliet, and Wilson Smith
Advantageous Jennifer Phang Jennifer Phang, Jacqueline Kim Robert Chang, Ken Jeong, Moon Molson, Theresa Navarro, Jennifer Phang, Jacqueline Kim
Christmas, Again Charles Poekel
Heaven Knows What Benny Safdie and Josh Safdie Ronald Bronstein, Josh Safdie Oscar Boyson, Sebastian Bear McClard
Out of My Hand Takeshi Fukunaga Donari Braxton, Takeshi Fukunaga Donari Braxton, Mike Fox
2016
 Spa Night Andrew Ahn David Ariniello, Giulia Caruso, Ki Jin Kim, Kelly Thomas
Free in Deed Jake Mahaffy Mike Bowes, Mike S. Ryan, Brent Stiefel
Hunter Gatherer Josh Locy Michael Covino, April Lamb, Sara Murphy, Isaiah Smallman
Lovesong So Yong Kim Bradley Rust Gray, So Yong Kim David Hansen, Bradley Rust Gray, Alex Lipschultz, Johnny Mac
Nakom Kelly Daniela Norris, T. W. Pittman Kelly Daniela Norris, Isaac Adakudugu Giovanni Ximėnez, Kelly Daniela Norris, T. W. Pittman, Isaac Adakudugu
2017
 Life and Nothing More Antonio Méndez Esparza Amadeo Hernández Bueno, Alvaro Portanet Hernández, Pedro Hernández Santos[7]
Dayveon Amman Abbasi Steven Reneau, Amman Abbasi Lachion Buckingham, Alexander Uhlmann, Amman Abbasi
A Ghost Story David Lowery Adam Donaghey, Toby Halbrooks, James M. Johnston
Most Beautiful Island Ana Asensio Ana Asensio, Larry Fessenden, Noah Greenberg, Chadd Harbold, Jenn Wexler
The Transfiguration Michael O'Shea Susan Leber
2018 En el séptimo día[8] Jim McKay Alex Bach, Jim McKay, Lindsey Cordero, Caroline Kaplan, Michael Stipe
A Bread Factory Patrick Wang Daryl Freimark, Patrick Wang, Matt Miller
Never Goin' Back Augustine Frizzell Liz Cardenas, Toby Halbrooks, James M. Johnston
Sócrates Alexandre Moratto Alexandre Moratto, Thayná Mantesso Ramin Bahrani, Alexandre Moratto, Jefferson Paulino, Tammy Weiss
Thunder Road Jim Cummings Natalie Metzger, Zack Parker, Benjamin Weissner
2019
 Give Me Liberty[9] Kirill Mikhanovsky Alice Austen, Kirill Mikhanovsky Val Abel, Wally Hall, Kirill Mikhanovsky, Alice Austen, Michael Manasseri, George Rush, Sergey Shtern
Burning Cane Phillip Youmans Phillip Youmans, Ojo Akinlana, Jakob Johnson, Karen Kaia Livers, Mose Mayer, Wendell Pierce, Isaac Webb, Cassandra Youmans
Colewell Tom Quinn Tom Quinn, Joshua Blum, Alexandra Byer, Craig Shilowich, Matthew Thurm
Premature Rashaad Ernesto Green Rashaad Ernesto Green, Zora Howard Darren Dean, Joy Ganes, Rashaad Ernesto Green
Wild Nights with Emily Madeleine Olnek Madeleine Olnek, Anna Margarita Albelo, Casper Andreas, Max Rifkind-Barron

2020s

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Year Film Director(s) Writer(s) Producer(s)
2020
 Residue[10] Merawi Gerima
The Killing of Two Lovers Robert Machoian Robert Machoian, Scott Christopherson, Clayne Crawford
La Leyenda Negra Patricia Vidal Delgado Alicia Herder, Marcel Perez
Lingua Franca Isabel Sandoval Isabel Sandoval, Darlene Catly Malimas, Jhett Tolentino, Carlo Velayo, Dax Stringer
Saint Frances Alex Thompson Kelly O'Sullivan Alex Thompson, James Choi, Pierce Cravens, Ian Keiser, Eddie Linker, Raphael Nash, Roger Welp
2021
[11] 		Shiva Baby[12] Emma Seligman Emma Seligman, Kieran Altmann, Katie Schiller, Lizzie Shapiro
Cryptozoo Dash Shaw Tyler Davidson, Kyle Martin, Jane Samborski, Bill Way
Jockey Clint Bentley Clint Bentley, Greg Kwedar Clint Bentley, Nancy Schafer, Greg Kwedar
Sweet Thing Alexandre Rockwell Louis Anania, Haley Anderson, Kenan Baysal
This Is Not a War Story Talia Lugacy Noah Lang, Julian West Margarita Albelo, Talia Lugacy, Casper Andreas, Max Rifkind-Barron
2022
[13] 		The Cathedral Ricky D'Ambrose Graham Swon
The African Desperate Martine Syms Martine Syms, Rocket Caleshu Martine Syms, Rocket Caleshu, Vic Brooks
Holy Emy Araceli Lemos Araceli Lemos, Giulia Caruso Giulia Caruso, Mathieu Bompoint, Ki Jin Kim, Konstantinos Vassilaros
A Love Song Max Walker-Silverman Max Walker-Silverman, Jesse Hope, Dan Janvey
Something in the Dirt Justin Benson, Aaron Moorhead Justin Benson Justin Benson, Aaron Moorhead, David Lawson Jr.
2023
 Fremont[14] Babak Jalali Babak Jalali, Carolina Cavalli Rachael Fung, Chris Martin, Marjaneh Moghimi, George Rush, Sudnya Shroff, Laura Wagner
The Artifice Girl Franklin Ritch Aaron B. Koontz, Ashleigh Snead
Cadejo Blanco Justin Lerner Mauricio Escobar, Ryan Friedkin, Jack Patrick Hurley
Rotting in the Sun Sebastian Silva Sebastian Silva, Pedro Peirano Jacob Wasserman
The Unknown Country Morrisa Maltz Morrisa Maltz, Lily Gladstone, Lainey Bearkiller Shangreaux, Vanara Taing Lainey Bearkiller Shangreaux, Vanara Taing, Katherine Harper, Laura Heberton, Tommy Heitkamp
2024
 Girls Will Be Girls Shuchi Talati Richa Chadha, Claire Chassagne, Shuchi Talati
Big Boys Corey Sherman Corey Sherman, Allison Tate
Ghostlight Kelly O'Sullivan, Alex Thompson Kelly O'Sullivan Pierce Cravens, Ian Keiser, Chelsea Krant, Eddie Linker, Alex Thompson
Jazzy Morrisa Maltz Morrisa Maltz, Lainey Bearkiller Shangreaux, Andrew Hajek, Vanara Taing Miranda Bailey, Lainey Bearkiller Shangreaux, Tommy Heitkamp, Morrisa Maltz, John Way, Natalie Whalen, Elliott Whitton
The People's Joker Vera Drew Bri LeRose, Vera Drew Joey Lyons
2025[15] The Baltimorons Jay Duplass Jay Duplass, Michael Strassner David Bonnett Jr., Jay Duplass, Drew Langer, Michael Strassner
Boys Go to Jupiter Julian Glander
Eephus Carson Lund Carson Lund, Michael Basta, Nate Fisher Carson Lund, Michael Basta,David Entin, Tyler Taormina
Esta Isla (This Island) Cristian Carretero, Lorraine Jones Molina Cristian Carretero, Lorraine Jones Molina, Kisha Tikina Burgos Cristian Carretero, Lorraine Jones Molina
Familiar Touch Sarah Friedland Sarah Friedland, Alexandra Byer, Matthew Thurm

Multiple nominees

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  • Sean Baker - 3 (no wins)
  • So Yong Kim - 3 (no wins)
  • Bradley Rust Gray - 3 (no wins)
  • George Rush - 2 (two wins)
  • Laura Wagner - 2 (one win)
  • Jim McKay - 2 (one win)
  • Aaron Katz - 2 (one win)
  • Gary Winick - 2 (one win)
  • Giulia Caruso - 2 (one win)
  • Ki Jin Kim - 2 (one win)
  • Jay Van Hoy - 2 (no wins)
  • Lars Knudsen - 2 (no wins)
  • Karin Chien - 2 (no wins)
  • Ben Howe - 2 (no wins)
  • Darren Dean - 2 (no wins)
  • Josh Safdie, Benny Safdie - 3 (one win)

References

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  1. ^ "37 Years of Nominees and Winners" (PDF). FilmIndependent. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
  2. ^ "FILM INDEPENDENT MOVES TO GENDER-NEUTRAL ACTING CATEGORIES AND INCREASED BUDGET CAPS FOR THE 2023 SPIRIT AWARDS". FilmIndependent. Retrieved February 22, 2023.
  3. ^ Gardner, Chris (2025-02-23). "9 Things the Cameras Missed During the Spirit Awards". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2025-02-24.
  4. ^ Rebecca Miller - Believer Magazine
  5. ^ Kathryn Tucker —Disruptor Awards
  6. ^ Howard Barish - Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Public Understanding & Film Independent
  7. ^ FSU film professor wins prestigious Independent Spirit Award - Florida State University News
  8. ^ Congratulations to Director Jim McKay for His Independent Spirit Award|R.E.M.HQ
  9. ^ GIVE ME LIBERTY wins the John Cassavetes Award at the 35th Film Independent Spirit Awards - Film Independent on YouTube
  10. ^ 2021 Independent Spirit Awards Winner's List
  11. ^ Patten, Dominic; D'Alessandro, Anthony; Topel, Fred (March 6, 2022). "Film Independent Spirit Awards: 'The Lost Daughter' Takes Home Best Feature As Netflix Reigns With Six Wins". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 6, 2022.
  12. ^ SHIVA BABY wins the JOHN CASSAVETES AWARD at the 2022 Film Independent Spirit Awards on official YouTube channel
  13. ^ Lattanzio, Ryan (November 22, 2022). "'Everything Everywhere,' 'TÁR' Lead Independent Spirit Award Nominations: See the Full List". IndieWire. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  14. ^ FREMONT wins the John Cassavetes Award at the 39th Film Independent Spirit Awards - Film Independent on YouTube
  15. ^ Spirit Awards 2026 Nominations: Full List – Variety
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