The 41st Independent Spirit Awards, celebrating excellence in independent film and television, took place Sunday night at the Hollywood Palladium, hosted by former “Saturday Night Live” cast member Ego Nwodim.

The ceremony highlighted a wide range of distinctive storytelling, with films like Train Dreams and Adolescence emerging as major winners, reflecting the awards’ focus on unique voices rather than serving as a predictor of Academy Award outcomes.

The event underscored the vibrant and diverse landscape of independent entertainment.

Train Dreams was a standout, taking home the Best Feature award, while director Clint Bentley earned Best Director.

Adolpho Veloso received Best Cinematography for his work on the film, praised for shaping the emotional depth and narrative through visuals that complemented Joel Edgerton’s understated performance.

The recognition of Train Dreams further solidified its critical acclaim this awards season.

Meanwhile, Eva Victor’s Sorry, Baby, an A24 release and Victor’s feature directorial debut, won Best Screenplay, with Naomi Ackie receiving Best Supporting Performance.

The film offered an intimate portrayal of heartbreak and resilience, highlighting the impact of independent cinema beyond mainstream recognition.

Other notable film honorees included Lurker, which won Best First Feature and Best First Screenplay for Alex Russell, Rose Byrne for Best Lead Performance in If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, and Kayo Martin for Best Breakthrough Performance in The Plague.

Documentaries and international films were also celebrated, with The Perfect Neighbor winning Best Documentary and Brazil’s The Secret Agent taking Best International Film.

Special awards recognized emerging talent, including Tatti Ribeiro (Valentina) with the Someone to Watch Award, Rajee Samarasinghe (Your Touch Makes Others Invisible) with the Truer Than Fiction Award, and Tony Yang with the Producers Award.

In television, Adolescence dominated, winning Best New Scripted Series, Best Lead Performance (Stephen Graham), Best Supporting Performance (Erin Doherty), and Best Breakthrough Performance (Owen Cooper).

Pee-wee as Himself secured Best New Non-Scripted or Documentary Series, while Chief of War was recognized for Best Ensemble Cast in a New Scripted Series.

Overall, the 41st Independent Spirit Awards offered a comprehensive celebration of innovative storytelling and emerging talent, reinforcing the significance of independent film and television in shaping contemporary culture.