John Cassavetes Award
Awarded forBest creative team of a film budgeted at less than $500,000
Presented byIndependent Spirit Awards
First awardedThe Blair Witch Project (1999)
Currently held byThe Cathedral – Ricky D'Ambrose & Graham Swon (2022)
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

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

Year Film Director(s) Writer(s) Producer(s)
1999
The Blair Witch ProjectDaniel Myrick, Eduardo SanchezGregg Hale, Robin Cowie
La CiudadDavid RikerDavid Riker, Paul S. Mezey
CompensationZeinabu irene DavisMarc Arthur CheryMarc Arthur Chery, Zeinabu Irene Davis
Judy BerlinEric MendelsohnRocco Caruso
Treasure IslandScott KingAdrienne Gruben

2000s

Year Film Director(s) Writer(s) Producer(s)
2000
Chuck & BuckMiguel ArtetaMike WhiteMatthew Greenfield
BunnyMia TrachingerRebecca Sonnenshine, Mia Trachinger
Everything Put TogetherMarc ForsterMarc Forster, Adam Forgash, Catherine Lloyd BurnsSean Furst
GrooveGreg HarrisonDanielle Renfrew
Our SongJim McKayJim McKay, Paul S. Mezey, Diana E. Williams
2001
JackpotMichael PolishMichael Polish, Mark Polish
Acts of WorshipRosemary RodriguezNadia Leonelli, Fredrick Sundwall, Rosemary Rodriguez
Kaaterskill FallsJosh Apter, Peter Olsen
PunksPatrik-Ian PolkPatrik-Ian Polk, Tracey E. Edmonds, Michael McQuarn
Virgil BlissJoe MaggioJoe Maggio, John Maggio
2002
Personal VelocityRebecca Miller[3]Lemore Syvan, Alexis Alexanian, Gary Winick
Charlotte SometimesEric BylerMarc Ambrose, Eric Byler
DahmerDavid JacobsonLarry Rattner
ivans xtc.Bernard RoseLisa Enos, Bernard RoseLisa Enos
The Slaughter RuleAlex Smith, Andrew J. SmithGregory O'Connor, Michael Robinson
2003
The Station AgentTom McCarthy[4]Mary Jane Skalski, Robert May, Kathryn Tucker
Anne B. RealLisa FranceLisa France, Antonio MaciaLuis Moro, Jeanine Rohn, Josselyne Herman Saccio
Better Luck TomorrowJustin LinErnesto M. Foronda, Justin Lin, Fabian MarquezJulie Asato, Justin Lin, Ernesto M. Foronda
Pieces of AprilPeter HedgesAlexis Alexanian, John S. Lyons, Gary Winick
VirginDeborah KampmeierSarah Schenck
2004
Mean CreekJacob Aaron EstesHagai Shaham, Rick Rosenthal, Susan Johnson
Down to the BoneDebra GranikDebra Granik, Richard LieskeSusan Leber, Anne Rosellini
On the OutsLori 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
ConventioneersMora StephensMora Stephens, Joel ViertelJoel Viertel
BrickRian JohnsonRam Bergman, Mark G. Mathis
JellysmokeMark BanningMark Banning, Cliff Charles, Mad Matthewz
The Puffy ChairJay DuplassJay Duplass, Mark DuplassMark Duplass
RoomKyle HenryAllen Bain, Darren Goldberg, Jesse Scolaro
2006
QuinceañeraRichard Glatzer, Wash WestmorelandAnne Clements
12 and HoldingMichael CuestaAnthony CiprianoLeslie Urdang, Michael Cuesta, Brian Bell, Jenny Schweitzer
ChalkMike AkelChris Mass, Maike AkelMike Akel, Angela Alvarez, Graham Davidson, Chris Mass
Four Eyed MonstersArin Crumley, Susan Buice
Old JoyKelly ReichardtJonathan Raymond, Kelly ReichardtLars Knudsen, Jay Van Hoy, Anish Savjani, Neil Kopp
2007
August EveningChris EskaConnie Hill, Jason Wehling
Owl and the SparrowStephane GaugerNguyen Van Quan, Doan Nhat Nam, Stephane Gauger
The PoolChris SmithChris Smith, Randy RussellKate Noble
Quiet CityAaron KatzAaron Katz, Erin Fisher, Cris LankenauBrendan McFadden, Ben Stambler
Shotgun StoriesJeff NicholsDavid Gordon Green, Lisa Muskat, Jeff Nichols
2008
In Search of a Midnight KissAlex HoldridgeSeth Caplan, Scoot McNairy
Prince of BroadwaySean BakerSean Baker, Darren DeanDarren Dean
The SignalDavid Bruckner, Dan Bush, Jacob GentryJacob Gentry, Alexander Motlagh
Take OutSean Baker, Shih-Ching Tsou
Turn the RiverChris EigemanAmi Armstrong
2009
HumpdayLynn Shelton
Big FanRobert D. SiegelJean Kouremetis, Elan Bogarin
The New Year ParadeTom QuinnSteve Beal, Tom Quinn
Treeless MountainSo Yong KimBradley Rust Gray, Ben Howe, Lars Knudsen, Jay Van Hoy, So Yong Kim
Zero BridgeTariq TapaHilal Ahmed Langoo, Josée Lajoie, Tariq Tapa

2010s

Year Film Director(s) Writer(s) Producer(s)
2010
Daddy LonglegsBen Safdie and Joshua SafdieCasey Neistat, Tom Scott
The Exploding GirlBradley Rust GrayKarin Chien, Ben Howe, So Yong Kim
Lbs.Matthew BonifacioMatthew Bonifacio, Carmine Famiglietti
Lovers of HateBryan PoyserMegan Gilbride
ObselidiaDiane BellChris Byrne, Matthew Medlin
2011
PariahDee ReesNekisa Cooper
BellflowerEvan GlodellVincent Grashaw, Evan Glodell
CircumstanceMaryam KeshavarzKarin Chien, Maryam Keshavarz, Melissa Lee
The DynamiterMatthew GordonBrad IngelsbyKevin Abrams, Matthew Gordon, Merrilee Holt, Art Jones, Mike Jones, Nate Tuck, Amile Wilson
Hello LonesomeAdam Reid
2012
Middle of NowhereAva DuVernay[5]Paul Garnes, Howard Barish, Ava DuVernay
Breakfast with CurtisLaura Colella
Mosquita y MariAurora GuerreroChad Burris
The Color WheelAlex Ross PerryAlex Ross Perry, Carlen AltmanAlex Ross Perry
StarletSean BakerChris Bergoch, Sean BakerBlake Ashman-Kipervaser, Kevin Chinoy, Patrick Cunningham, Chris Maybach, Francesca Silvestri
2013
This Is Martin BonnerChad HartiganCherie Saulter
Computer ChessAndrew BujalskiHouston King, Alex Lipschultz
Crystal Fairy & the Magical CactusSebastián SilvaJuan de Dios Larraín, Pablo Larraín
Museum HoursJem CohenPaolo Calamita, Gabriele Kranzelbinder
Pit StopYen TanYen Tan, David LoweryJonathan Duffy, James M. Johnston, Eric Steele, Kelly Williams
2014
Land Ho!Aaron Katz, Martha StephensChristina Jennings, Mynette Louie, Sara Murphy
Blue RuinJeremy SaulnierRichard Peete, Vincent Savino, Anish Savjani
It Felt Like LoveEliza HittmanShrihari Sathe, Laura Wagner, Eliza Hittman
Man from RenoDave BoyleDave Boyle, Joel Clark, Michael LermanKo Mori
TestChris Mason JohnsonChris Martin
2015
KrishaTrey Edward ShultsTrey Edward Shults, Justin R. Chan, Chase Joliet, and Wilson Smith
AdvantageousJennifer PhangJennifer Phang, Jacqueline KimRobert Chang, Ken Jeong, Moon Molson, Theresa Navarro, Jennifer Phang, Jacqueline Kim
Christmas, AgainCharles Poekel
Heaven Knows WhatBenny Safdie and Josh SafdieRonald Bronstein, Josh SafdieOscar Boyson, Sebastian Bear McClard
Out of My HandTakeshi FukunagaDonari Braxton, Takeshi FukunagaDonari Braxton, Mike Fox
2016
Spa NightAndrew AhnDavid Ariniello, Giulia Caruso, Ki Jin Kim, Kelly Thomas
Free in DeedJake MahaffyMike Bowes, Mike S. Ryan, Brent Stiefel
Hunter GathererJosh LocyMichael Covino, April Lamb, Sara Murphy, Isaiah Smallman
LovesongSo Yong KimBradley Rust Gray, So Yong KimDavid Hansen, Bradley Rust Gray, Alex Lipschultz, Johnny Mac
NakomKelly Daniela Norris, T. W. PittmanKelly Daniela Norris, Isaac AdakuduguGiovanni Ximėnez, Kelly Daniela Norris, T. W. Pittman, Isaac Adakudugu
2017
Life and Nothing MoreAntonio Méndez EsparzaAmadeo Hernández Bueno, Alvaro Portanet Hernández, Pedro Hernández Santos[6]
DayveonAmman AbbasiSteven Reneau, Amman AbbasiLachion Buckingham, Alexander Uhlmann, Amman Abbasi
A Ghost StoryDavid LoweryAdam Donaghey, Toby Halbrooks, James M. Johnston
Most Beautiful IslandAna AsensioAna Asensio, Larry Fessenden, Noah Greenberg, Chadd Harbold, Jenn Wexler
The TransfigurationMichael O'SheaSusan Leber
2018En el séptimo día[7]Jim McKayAlex Bach, Jim McKay, Lindsey Cordero, Caroline Kaplan, Michael Stipe
A Bread FactoryPatrick WangDaryl Freimark, Patrick Wang, Matt Miller
Never Goin' BackAugustine FrizzellLiz Cardenas, Toby Halbrooks, James M. Johnston
SócratesAlex MorattoAlex Moratto, Thayná MantessoRamin Bahrani, Alex Moratto, Jefferson Paulino, Tammy Weiss
Thunder RoadJim CummingsNatalie Metzger, Zack Parker, Benjamin Weissner
2019
Give Me Liberty[8]Kirill MikhanovskyAlice Austen, Kirill MikhanovskyVal Abel, Wally Hall, Kirill Mikhanovsky, Alice Austen, Michael Manasseri, George Rush, Sergey Shtern
Burning CanePhillip YoumansPhillip Youmans, Ojo Akinlana, Jakob Johnson, Karen Kaia Livers, Mose Mayer, Wendell Pierce, Isaac Webb, Cassandra Youmans
ColewellTom QuinnTom Quinn, Joshua Blum, Alexandra Byer, Craig Shilowich, Matthew Thurm
PrematureRashaad Ernesto GreenRashaad Ernesto Green, Zora HowardDarren Dean, Joy Ganes, Rashaad Ernesto Green
Wild Nights with EmilyMadeleine OlnekMadeleine Olnek, Anna Margarita Albelo, Casper Andreas, Max Rifkind-Barron

2020s

Year Film Director(s) Writer(s) Producer(s)
2020
Residue[9]Merawi Gerima
The Killing of Two LoversRobert MachoianRobert Machoian, Scott Christopherson, Clayne Crawford
La Leyenda NegraPatricia Vidal DelgadoAlicia Herder, Marcel Perez
Lingua FrancaIsabel SandovalIsabel Sandoval, Darlene Catly Malimas, Jhett Tolentino, Carlo Velayo
Saint FrancesAlex ThompsonKelly O'SullivanAlex Thompson, James Choi, Pierce Cravens, Ian Keiser, Eddie Linker, Raphael Nash, Roger Welp
2021
[10]
Shiva Baby[11]Emma SeligmanEmma Seligman, Kieran Altmann, Katie Schiller, Lizzie Shapiro
CryptozooDash ShawTyler Davidson, Kyle Martin, Jane Samborski, Bill Way
JockeyClint BentleyClint Bentley, Greg KwedarClint Bentley, Nancy Schafer, Greg Kwedar
Sweet ThingAlexandre RockwellLouis Anania, Haley Anderson, Kenan Baysal
This Is Not a War StoryTalia LugacyNoah Lang, Julian West Margarita Albelo, Talia Lugacy, Casper Andreas, Max Rifkind-Barron
2022
[12]
The CathedralRicky 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 SongMax Walker-SilvermanMax Walker-Silverman, Jesse Hope, Dan Janvey
Something in the DirtJustin Benson, Aaron MoorheadJustin BensonJustin Benson, Aaron Moorhead, David Lawson Jr.

Multiple nominees

  • Sean Baker - 3 (no wins)
  • So Yong Kim - 3 (no wins)
  • Bradley Rust Gray - 3 (no wins)
  • 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 - 2 (one win)

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.
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