Independent Spirit John Cassavetes Award

Last updated
John Cassavetes Award
Awarded forBest creative team of a film budgeted at less than $500,000
Presented by Independent Spirit Awards
First awarded The Blair Witch Project (1999)
Currently held by Fremont – Babak Jalali, Carolina Cavalli (39th Independent Spirit Awards)
Website spiritawards.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]

Contents

History

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]

Winners and nominees

1990s

YearFilmDirector(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 CheryMarc Arthur Chery, Zeinabu Irene Davis
Judy Berlin Eric Mendelsohn Rocco Caruso
Treasure Island Scott KingAdrienne Gruben

2000s

YearFilmDirector(s)Writer(s)Producer(s)
2000
Chuck & Buck Miguel Arteta Mike White Matthew Greenfield
BunnyMia TrachingerRebecca 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 [3] 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. SmithGregory O'Connor, Michael Robinson
2003
The Station Agent Tom McCarthy [4] 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 MarquezJulie 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 LieskeSusan Leber, Anne Rosellini
On the Outs Lori Silverbush, Michael SkolnikLori SilverbushLori Silverbush, Michael Skolnik
Robbing PeterMario F. de la VegaT. Todd Flinchum, Lisa Y. Garibay, Mario F. de la Vega
Unknown SoldierFerenc TothSean Bachrodt, Seth Eisman, Chachi Senior, Ferenc Totho
2005
Conventioneers Mora StephensMora Stephens, Joel ViertelJoel Viertel
Brick Rian Johnson Ram Bergman, Mark G. Mathis
JellysmokeMark BanningMark 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 AkelChris Mass, Maike AkelMike 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 RussellKate 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 DeanDarren 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 QuinnSteve Beal, Tom Quinn
Treeless Mountain So Yong Kim Bradley Rust Gray, Ben Howe, Lars Knudsen, Jay Van Hoy, So Yong Kim
Zero Bridge Tariq TapaHilal Ahmed Langoo, Josée Lajoie, Tariq Tapa

2010s

YearFilmDirector(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 [5] 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 LermanKo Mori
Test Chris Mason JohnsonChris 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 MahaffyMike Bowes, Mike S. Ryan, Brent Stiefel
Hunter Gatherer Josh LocyMichael 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 AdakuduguGiovanni 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 [6]
Dayveon Amman AbbasiSteven Reneau, Amman AbbasiLachion 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'SheaSusan Leber
2018 En el séptimo día [7] 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 MantessoRamin Bahrani, Alexandre Moratto, Jefferson Paulino, Tammy Weiss
Thunder Road Jim Cummings Natalie Metzger, Zack Parker, Benjamin Weissner
2019
Give Me Liberty [8] 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 QuinnTom Quinn, Joshua Blum, Alexandra Byer, Craig Shilowich, Matthew Thurm
Premature Rashaad Ernesto GreenRashaad 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

YearFilmDirector(s)Writer(s)Producer(s)
2020
Residue [9] Merawi Gerima
The Killing of Two Lovers Robert MachoianRobert Machoian, Scott Christopherson, Clayne Crawford
La Leyenda Negra Patricia Vidal DelgadoAlicia 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
[10] 		Shiva Baby [11] Emma Seligman Emma Seligman, Kieran Altmann, Katie Schiller, Lizzie Shapiro
Cryptozoo Dash Shaw Tyler Davidson, Kyle Martin, Jane Samborski, Bill Way
Jockey Clint BentleyClint Bentley, Greg KwedarClint Bentley, Nancy Schafer, Greg Kwedar
Sweet ThingAlexandre RockwellLouis 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
[12] 		The Cathedral Ricky D'AmbroseGraham Swon
The African DesperateMartine SymsMartine Syms, Rocket CaleshuMartine Syms, Rocket Caleshu, Vic Brooks
Holy EmyAraceli LemosAraceli Lemos, Giulia CarusoGiulia Caruso, Mathieu Bompoint, Ki Jin Kim, Konstantinos Vassilaros
A Love Song Max Walker-SilvermanMax 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 [13] 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 BlancoJustin LernerMauricio 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 TaingLainey Bearkiller Shangreaux, Vanara Taing, Katherine Harper, Laura Heberton, Tommy Heitkamp

Multiple nominees

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References

  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. ↑ Rebecca Miller - Believer Magazine
  4. ↑ Kathryn Tucker —Disruptor Awards
  5. ↑ Howard Barish - Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Public Understanding & Film Independent
  6. ↑ FSU film professor wins prestigious Independent Spirit Award - Florida State University News
  7. ↑ Congratulations to Director Jim McKay for His Independent Spirit Award|R.E.M.HQ
  8. ↑ GIVE ME LIBERTY wins the John Cassavetes Award at the 35th Film Independent Spirit Awards - Film Independent on YouTube
  9. ↑ 2021 Independent Spirit Awards Winner's List
  10. ↑ 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.
  11. ↑ SHIVA BABY wins the JOHN CASSAVETES AWARD at the 2022 Film Independent Spirit Awards on official YouTube channel
  12. ↑ Lattanzio, Ryan (November 22, 2022). "'Everything Everywhere,' 'TÁR' Lead Independent Spirit Award Nominations: See the Full List". IndieWire . Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  13. ↑ FREMONT wins the John Cassavetes Award at the 39th Film Independent Spirit Awards - Film Independent on YouTube
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