Independent films had a big year last year with hidden gems like Drive My Car, CODA, The Green Knight, Mass, Pig, Titane, and too many to list here. There were also tons of new television shows that captured audiences last year. How does Film Independent plan to celebrate such an exceptional year? Find out below.

So, what do you need to know this year?

For starters, the Film Independent Spirit Awards will return to Santa Monica Beach on Sunday, March 6th, 2022, the day before the Oscar Nominees Luncheon.

Five months after this announcement, Film Independent President Josh Welsh announced the 2022 Film Independent Spirit Awards nominees with help from Beanie Feldstein, Regina Hall (who's one of the three hosts of the 94th Oscars), and Naomi Watts).

On February 10th, 2022, Film Independent announced the winners of three unrestricted $25,000 Spirit Awards cash grants, announced by the three recipients from 2021 - Ekwa Msangi, Gerry Kim and Elegance Bratton on a YouTube live stream. Alex Camilleri won the Someone to Watch Award for Luzzu, Lizzie Shapiro won the Producers Award, and Jessica Beshir won the Truer Than Fiction Award for Faya Dayi.

The following day, February 11th, 2022, Film Independent announced that couple Megan Mullally and Nick Offerman would host the 2022 Spirit Awards ceremony.

On February 17th, Film Independent announced that Kristen Stewart would serve as this year's Honorary Chair of the Spirit Awards.

Now that you're caught up, let's get into what you're really here for.

How can you watch the 2022 Spirit Awards?

The 2022 Film Independent Spirit Awards will be broadcast live on IFC on Sunday, March 6th and stream on AMC+ at 5 PM Eastern. You can watch via the IFC app (TV provider required), or stream through AMC+ ($9/month). For Canadian viewers, the show will be available on Hollywood Suite. New this year is the option to watch the ceremony at an AMC Theater. Additionally, AMC Stubs members get a second ticket for free. Please note that this option is only available to those in the following areas: Atlanta, Austin, Boston, Charlotte, Chicago, Cincinnati, Colombus, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, Nashville, New Orleans, Norfolk, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Raleigh, San Diego, San Francisco, Tallahassee, Tampa, Tucson, Tulsa and Washington, D.C.

While the Spirit Awards will be broadcast from Santa Monica Beach, there are no details at this time as how Film Independent Members can attend, but I will update this article when that information becomes available.

Who are this year's nominees?

You can find a list of nominees here.

Where can you watch the nominees?

7 Days

Nominated for Best First Feature
To be released in early 2022

A Chiara

Nominated for Best Feature, Best Cinematography and Best Editing
To be released in 2022

Ascension

Nominated for Best Documentary
Streaming on Paramount+

Black and Missing

Nominated for Best New Non-Scripted or Documentary Series
Streaming on HBO Max

Blindspotting

Nominated for Best New Scripted Series and Best Female Performance in a New Scripted Series
Streaming on Starz

Blue Bayou

Nominated for Best Cinematography
Available to rent on major streaming platforms

Catch the Fair One

Nominated for Best Female Lead
Available to watch at home or in theaters

The Choe Show

Nominated for Best New Non-Scripted or Documentary Series
Streaming on Hulu

Cicada

Nominated for Best First Screenplay
Available to rent on major streaming platforms

C’mon C’mon

Nominated for Best Feature, Best Director and Best Screenplay
Available to rent on major streaming platforms

CODA

Nominated for Best Supporting Male
Streaming on Apple TV+

Compartment No. 6

Nominated for Best International Film
Available in select theaters

Cryptozoo

Nominated for John Cassavetes Award
Streaming on Hulu

Drive My Car

Nominated for Best International Film
Currently playing in theaters

Flee

Nominated for Best Documentary
Streaming on Hulu

Faya Dayi

Nominated for Truer Than Fiction Award
Streaming on The Criterion Channel

Holler

Nominated for Best First Feature
Available to rent on major streaming platforms

The Humans

Nominated for Best Cinematography
Streaming on Showtime Anytime

I Blame Society

Nominated for Someone to Watch Award
Streaming on AMC+, Hoopla, Tubi (ad-supported), Kanopy, and Shudder

In the Same Breath

Nominated for Best Documentary
Streaming on HBO Max

It’s a Sin

Nominated for Best New Scripted Series and Best Male Performance in a New Scripted Series
Streaming on HBO Max

Jockey

Nominated for Best Male Lead and John Cassavetes Award
Currently playing in theaters

The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain

Nominated for Best Male Lead and Best Editing
Streaming on HBO Max

The Lady and The Dale

Nominated for Best New Non-Scripted or Documentary Series
Streaming on HBO Max

The Lost Daughter

Nominated for Best Feature, Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best Supporting Female
Streaming on Netflix

Luzzu

Nominated for Someone to Watch Award
Streaming on MUBI & available to rent on major streaming platforms

Mass

Nominated for Best First Screenplay; Robert Altman Award winner
Available to rent on major streaming platforms

North By Current

Nominated for Truer Than Fiction Award
Streaming on PBS (donation required)

The Novice

Nominated for Best Feature, Best Director, Best Female Lead, Best Supporting Female and Best Editing
Available to rent on major streaming platforms

The Nowhere Inn

Nominated for Best Editing
Streaming on Hulu

Nuclear Family

Nominated for Best New Non-Scripted or Documentary Series
Streaming on HBO Max

Parallel Mothers

Nominated for Best International Film
Currently in theaters

Passing

Nominated for Best Supporting Female and Best Cinematography
Streaming on Netflix

Pebbles

Nominated for Best International Film
To be released in 2022

Petite Maman

Nominated for Best International Film
To be released in theaters on April 22, 2022

Philly D.A.

Nominated for Best New Non-Scripted or Documentary Series
Streaming on PBS & Topic

Pig

Nominated for Best First Screenplay and Someone to Watch Award
Streaming on Hulu

Pleasure

Nominated for Best Director and Best Supporting Female
To be released in 2022

Prayers for the Stolen

Nominated for Best International Film
Streaming on Netflix

Procession

Nominated for Best Documentary
Streaming on Netflix

Queen of Glory

Nominated for Best First Feature and Best Supporting Male
To be released in 2022

Red Rocket

Nominated for Best Male Lead and Best Supporting Female
Available to rent on other major streaming platforms

Reservation Dogs

Nominated for Best New Scripted Series; Best Ensemble Cast in a New Scripted Series winner
Streaming on Hulu

Rutherford Falls

Nominated for Best Female Performance in a New Scripted Series and Best Male Performance in a New Scripted Series
Streaming on Peacock

Shiva Baby

Nominated for John Cassavetes Award
Streaming on HBO Max

Squid Game

Nominated for Best Male Performance in a New Scripted Series
Streaming on Netflix

Summer of Soul (…Or, When The Revolution Could Not Be Televised)

Nominated for Best Documentary
Streaming on Disney+ and Hulu

Swan Song

Nominated for Best Screenplay and Best Male Lead
Streaming on Hulu

Sweet Thing

Nominated for Best Supporting Male and John Cassavetes Award
Streaming on Mubi; available to rent on other major streaming platforms

Test Pattern

Nominated for Best First Feature, Best First Screenplay and Best Female Lead
Streaming on Starz; available to rent on other major streaming platforms

THEM: Covenant

Nominated for Best Female Performance in a New Scripted Series and Best Male Performance in a New Scripted Series
Streaming on Amazon Prime

This is Not a War Story

Nominated for John Cassavetes Award
Streaming on HBO Max

Together Together

Nominated for Best Screenplay and Best Female Lead
Streaming on Hulu

Try Harder!

Nominated for Truer Than Fiction Award
Available to rent on major streaming platforms

The Underground Railroad

Nominated for Best New Scripted Series and Best Female Performance in a New Scripted Series
Streaming on Amazon Prime

We Are Lady Parts

Nominated for Best New Scripted Series and Best Female Performance in a New Scripted Series
Streaming on Peacock

The White Lotus

Nominated for Best Male Performance in a New Scripted Series
Streaming on HBO Max

Wild Indian

Nominated for Best First Feature, Best First Screenplay, Best Male Lead and Best Supporting Male
Streaming on Kanopy and Starz; available to rent on other major streaming platforms

Zola

Nominated for Best Feature, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Female Lead, Best Supporting Male, Best Cinematography and Best Editing Streaming on Showtime; available to rent on other major streaming platforms

Where can you read reviews for the nominees?

Right here. Leading up to the ceremony, I'll be publishing reviews for Spirit Awards nominated films and television shows (well, the ones I've seen completely), updating the below section as they release.

CODA

Passing

How can you make your predictions?

There's no official ballot yet, but I will update the section when one becomes available.

What is Austin doing for the 2022 Film Independent Spirit Awards?

Like my 94th Oscars plan, things are in flux. While I'm a Film Independent member, I still had to subscribe to AMC+ just to be able to watch the 2021 Spirit Awards, as I don't get IFC. When I have more details for you, I'll update this section.

When will you post your 2022 Film Independent Spirit Awards winner predictions article?

Soon. Last year, I posted my predictions the same day of the Spirit Awards ceremony. This year, I definitely want the article out by the first weekend of March, so look for it no later than then.

Until next time!

Thanks to Thomas Stoneham-Judge from Movies For Reel, Shane Conto, Joseph Davis, David Walters, Ambula Bula, and Matthew Simpson for supporting Austin B Media on Patreon!