The Film Independent Spirit Awards are an annual awards ceremony celebrating independent film and television. Founded in 1984 as the FINDIE Awards, the event was renamed the Independent Spirit Awards in 1986 and is produced by Film Independent, a non-profit arts organization. The awards honor top talent and feature categories such as Best Feature, Best Director, and unique honors like Best First Screenplay and the John Cassavetes Award for films made under $1 million. Historically held in a tent on a beach in Santa Monica, California, the ceremony has moved to venues like the Hollywood Palladium and is typically streamed live on platforms such as Film Independent's and IMDb's YouTube channels. Winners are chosen by Film Independent members, and as of 2024, films competing must have budgets under $28 million.