“The Secret Agent” notched best international film as its team hopes to win in the same category at the Oscars next month.
The annual Film Independent Spirit Awards ceremony only celebrates movies made for less than $30 million.
“Train Dreams,” director Clint Bentley’s adaptation of the Denis Johnson novella, follows a railroad worker and the transformation of the American northwest across the 20th century.
The film won three of its four categories, also grabbing wins for best director and best cinematography. The movie’s lead, Joel Edgerton, however, did not take home best actor, which went to Rose Byrne for “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You.”
“Train Dreams” producer Teddy Schwarzman told AFP the film “is a singular journey, but it hopefully helps bring people together to understand all that life entails: love, friendship, loss, grief, healing and hope.”
“Train Dreams” will compete for best picture at the Oscars, among other honors.
– Big win for Brazil –
After “The Secret Agent” nabbed best international film, director Kleber Mendonca Filho hailed the win as one that hopefully “gives more visibility to Brazilian cinema.”
The film follows a former academic pursued by hitmen amid the political turmoil of Brazil under military rule.
It prevailed Sunday over contenders including rave-themed road trip movie “Sirat,” which will compete alongside “The Secret Agent” for best international feature film at the Oscars, capping Hollywood’s awards season.
“The Secret Agent” will also be up for best picture, best actor and best casting.
Brazil’s “I’m Still Here” won best international feature at the Oscars last year.
Other Spirit winners on Sunday included “Lurker,” for best first screenplay and best first feature film.
“Sorry, Honey” nabbed best screenplay and “The Perfect Neighbor” scored best documentary.
The Academy Awards will be presented on March 15.
The 41st Film Independent Spirit Awards, honoring the best independent films and television series of 2025, were presented by Film Independent on February 15, 2026. The ceremony was held at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, California, and hosted by American actress and comedian Ego Nwodim. It was streamed live on the YouTube channels of both IMDb and Film Independent, and across Film Independent’s social media platforms.
The nominations were announced live via YouTube on December 3, 2025. Peter Hujar’s Day led the film nominations with five. For television, Adolescence, Forever, and Mr Loverman received the most nominations with four each.
The grant recipients of the Emerging Filmmakers Awards were announced on January 10, 2026.
Changes
In May 2025, Film Independent announced that the ceremony venue would move from the Santa Monica Pier to the Hollywood Palladium. This move came as Santa Monica, the former longtime home of the Film Independent Spirit Awards, underwent renovations.
Unlike previous ceremonies (including the 40th ceremony where Best International Film winner Flow became the first animated feature to win a Film Independent Spirit Award in any category), three animated projects were nominated for major categories this year: Endless Cookie for Best Documentary Feature, Common Side Effects for Best New Scripted Series, and Boys Go to Jupiter for the John Cassavetes Award.