The 33rd Independent Spirit Awards, held on March 3, 2018, served as a definitive celebration of indie cinema, honoring the best artistically driven films produced with a budget under $20 million. Jordan Peele’s social thriller Get Out emerged as the night's biggest winner, securing Best Feature and Best Director, while acting honors went to Frances McDormand, Timothée Chalamet, Allison Janney, and Sam Rockwell.
The Significance of the 33rd Independent Spirit Awards
The 33rd Independent Spirit Awards took place under the iconic tent on the beach in Santa Monica, California. Traditionally held the day before the Academy Awards, the Spirit Awards are organized by Film Independent, a non-profit arts organization. By 2018, the ceremony had solidified its reputation as the "cooler, laid-back younger sibling" to the Oscars, emphasizing creative independence, original subject matter, and diversity.
In the context of film history, the 2018 ceremony arrived during a transformative period for the industry. It was a year where the boundaries of "genre" were pushed—horror was no longer just for scares but for social commentary, and coming-of-age stories were being told with a newfound, raw sincerity. The nominations reflected a deep commitment to elevating marginalized voices and celebrating first-time filmmakers who operated far outside the traditional Hollywood studio system.
Eligibility and Selection Criteria
To understand the weight of these nominations, one must understand what qualifies a film as "independent" according to Film Independent. For the 33rd ceremony, the primary criteria included:
- Budget Cap: Films generally had to be produced for less than $20 million.
- Uniqueness of Vision: The selection committee looks for original, provocative subject matter.
- Percentage of Financing: A significant portion of the funding must come from independent sources rather than major studios.
- The "Spirit" Factor: This subjective measure assesses whether the film demonstrates a "unique cinematic vision" and "economy of means."
The nominations are determined by committees that include film critics, programmers, and filmmakers. Once the nominees are announced, the winners are voted upon by the entire membership of Film Independent, which includes anyone from industry professionals to dedicated film enthusiasts who pay a membership fee.
Detailed Breakdown of Major Winners and Nominees
The 33rd ceremony was a competitive field that pitted critical darlings against box-office surprises. Below is a detailed look at the core categories that defined the evening.
Best Feature
The Best Feature category is the pinnacle of the Spirit Awards. In 2018, the winner was Get Out, produced by Jason Blum, Edward H. Hamm Jr., Sean McKittrick, and Jordan Peele. The film was a cultural phenomenon, managing to balance high-concept horror with a biting critique of post-racial American optics.
Other nominees in this category included:
- Call Me by Your Name: A lush, emotional romance set in 1980s Italy.
- The Florida Project: A vibrant yet heartbreaking look at the "hidden homeless" living in motels in the shadow of Disney World.
- Lady Bird: Greta Gerwig’s solo directorial debut, capturing the complexities of a mother-daughter relationship.
- The Rider: Chloé Zhao’s lyrical Western that blurred the lines between fiction and documentary.
Best Director
Jordan Peele took home the trophy for Get Out, marking a historic win for a debut director in the horror genre. Peele’s direction was lauded for its precision, its ability to build tension through "the sunken place" metaphor, and its masterful tonal shifts.
The competition for Best Director was particularly fierce:
- Sean Baker (The Florida Project): Recognized for his use of non-professional actors and 35mm film.
- Jonas Carpignano (A Ciambra): A gritty look at the Romani community in Italy.
- Luca Guadagnino (Call Me by Your Name): Praised for his sensory, atmospheric storytelling.
- Benny and Josh Safdie (Good Time): Noted for their high-anxiety, kinetic filmmaking style.
Best Male Lead and Best Female Lead
The acting categories often serve as a bellwether for the Oscars, but they also highlight performances that might be overlooked by more commercial voting bodies.
Timothée Chalamet won Best Male Lead for his role as Elio in Call Me by Your Name. At the time, he was one of the youngest winners in the category's history. His performance was cited for its vulnerability and the depth of its wordless emotional beats, particularly the famous final shot by the fireplace.
Frances McDormand won Best Female Lead for Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. Her portrayal of Mildred Hayes—a grieving, foul-mouthed, and fiercely determined mother—was a powerhouse performance that dominated the entire 2018 awards season.
Supporting Performance Excellence
The supporting categories saw a sweep by the stars of I, Tonya and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.
- Best Supporting Female: Allison Janney won for her transformative role as LaVona Golden in I, Tonya. She portrayed Tonya Harding’s mother with a chilling, abrasive intensity that provided both dark humor and genuine pathos.
- Best Supporting Male: Sam Rockwell won for his role as Officer Dixon in Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. Rockwell’s character arc—from a bigoted, incompetent cop to a man seeking a clumsy form of redemption—was one of the most discussed performances of the year.
| Category | Winner | Key Nominees |
|---|---|---|
| Best Feature | Get Out | Lady Bird, Call Me by Your Name, The Florida Project |
| Best Director | Jordan Peele | Greta Gerwig (nomination for screenplay), Sean Baker |
| Best Female Lead | Frances McDormand | Margot Robbie, Saoirse Ronan, Shinobu Terajima |
| Best Male Lead | Timothée Chalamet | Daniel Kaluuya, James Franco, Robert Pattinson |
| Best Supporting Female | Allison Janney | Holly Hunter, Laurie Metcalf, Lois Smith |
| Best Supporting Male | Sam Rockwell | Armie Hammer, Benny Safdie, Nnamdi Asomugha |
| Best Screenplay | Lady Bird | The Lovers, Three Billboards, Get Out |
| Best First Feature | Ingrid Goes West | Columbus, Menashe, Patti Cake$, Wind River |
| Best International Film | A Fantastic Woman | BPM, I Am Not a Witch, Loveless, On Body and Soul |
Specialized Awards and the John Cassavetes Honor
Beyond the mainstream categories, the Spirit Awards feature specialized honors that highlight specific filmmaking achievements.
The John Cassavetes Award
This is perhaps the most "independent" award of the night, given to the best feature made for a budget under $500,000. The 33rd winner was Life and Nothing More, directed by Antonio Méndez Esparza. This award is vital because it recognizes films that are often made with skeleton crews and limited resources, embodying the true "guerrilla" spirit of filmmaking.
The Robert Altman Award
Named after the legendary director known for his ensemble casts, this award is given to one film’s director, casting director, and its ensemble cast. For the 33rd ceremony, the honor went to Mudbound. Directed by Dee Rees, the film featured a stellar ensemble including Mary J. Blige, Jason Mitchell, Carey Mulligan, and Garrett Hedlund. The award highlighted how the film used its large cast to explore the interconnected lives of two families—one Black, one white—in the Jim Crow-era South.
Best First Screenplay and Best First Feature
These categories focus on emerging talent. Emily V. Gordon and Kumail Nanjiani won Best First Screenplay for The Big Sick, a romantic comedy based on their real-life courtship and medical crisis. Ingrid Goes West, directed by Matt Spicer, took home Best First Feature, being recognized for its prescient satire of social media obsession.
The Cultural Impact of the Hosting Duo: Kroll and Mulaney
A major highlight of the 33rd Independent Spirit Awards was the hosting chemistry of Nick Kroll and John Mulaney. Returning for their second consecutive year, the duo brought a sharp, self-deprecating wit to the proceedings.
Their opening monologue became an instant classic, as they skewered the industry’s pretensions and the specific quirks of the indie film world. They famously joked about the "Spirit Award budget," noting that while the Oscars have gold statues, the Spirit Awards are held in a tent on the beach where the "swag bags" might just contain a "loose orange." Their presence helped the 33rd awards maintain a high energy and a sense of community, reinforcing the idea that while the work is serious, the celebration doesn't have to be stuffy.
The Cinematography and Documentary Winners
The technical and non-fiction categories at the 33rd awards showcased global perspectives.
- Best Cinematography: Sayombhu Mukdeeprom won for Call Me by Your Name. His work captured the hazy, sun-drenched Italian summer using a single 35mm lens, a choice that contributed significantly to the film’s intimate, nostalgic feel.
- Best Documentary: Faces Places (Visages Villages), directed by Agnès Varda and JR, won this category. The film, a charming and profound travelogue through rural France, celebrated the power of art and human connection, marking a late-career triumph for the legendary Varda.
- Best Editing: Tatiana S. Riegel won for I, Tonya. The film’s frantic, non-linear structure and rapid-fire pacing were essential to conveying the chaotic life of Tonya Harding.
How the 33rd Spirit Awards Predicted the Future (A 2026 Perspective)
Looking back from 2026, the 33rd Independent Spirit Awards were a watershed moment. Many of the nominees and winners from that night have since become the titans of modern cinema.
Jordan Peele’s win solidified his transition from a comedic actor to one of the most influential directors and producers in Hollywood. Greta Gerwig’s screenplay win for Lady Bird was just the beginning of a directorial career that would eventually lead to record-breaking blockbusters. Timothée Chalamet’s win signaled the arrival of a new generation of leading men who prioritize indie sensibilities even when taking on massive franchise roles.
Furthermore, the inclusion of films like Mudbound signaled the shifting landscape of distribution. As a Netflix original, Mudbound's recognition at the Spirit Awards helped bridge the gap between traditional theatrical releases and the burgeoning era of streaming-first prestige cinema.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where were the 33rd Independent Spirit Awards held?
The ceremony was held on the beach in Santa Monica, California. This location is traditional for the Spirit Awards, offering a more relaxed environment compared to the formal theaters used for most Hollywood award shows.
Who hosted the 33rd Independent Spirit Awards?
Comedians Nick Kroll and John Mulaney hosted the event. This was their second year in a row hosting, and they were widely praised for their comedic timing and industry-specific satire.
Did "Get Out" win Best Feature?
Yes, Get Out won Best Feature. It also won Best Director for Jordan Peele. It was one of the few horror films in history to dominate a major awards ceremony in such a significant way.
What is the budget limit for a film to be nominated at the Spirit Awards?
For the 33rd awards, the general budget ceiling was $20 million. This ensures that the awards focus on independent productions rather than big-budget studio tentpoles.
What is the Robert Altman Award?
The Robert Altman Award is a special honor given to a film's director, its casting director, and its ensemble cast. It celebrates the collaborative nature of acting and directing. In 2018, it was awarded to the film Mudbound.
Which film won Best International Film?
The Chilean film A Fantastic Woman (Una mujer fantástica), directed by Sebastián Lelio, won Best International Film. The film follows a trans woman who faces discrimination and grief after the death of her partner.
Final Recommendations for Film Enthusiasts
To truly appreciate the legacy of the 33rd Independent Spirit Awards, viewers should revisit the "Big Three" of that year: Get Out, Lady Bird, and Call Me by Your Name. These films represented a peak for independent cinema where artistic risk-taking met broad cultural resonance.
For those looking for "hidden gems" from the 33rd nominees, The Rider by Chloé Zhao and Ingrid Goes West by Matt Spicer offer excellent examples of how limited budgets can lead to immense creative innovation. As we look back from 2026, these awards remain a perfect time capsule of a year when the "independent spirit" was at its most vibrant and influential.
For more information on current and past winners, you can visit the official Film Independent website or check historical archives on Variety and The Hollywood Reporter.
