The 41st Film Independent Spirit Awards announce winners today, and the Next Best Picture team has released their predictions across 23 categories .
Seven industry critics favor “Train Dreams” for Best Feature, with four votes placing it ahead of “Sorry, Baby” . Rose Byrne in “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You” earned unanimous support for Best Lead Performance .
Eva Victor’s “Sorry, Baby” secured all votes for Best Screenplay despite mixed support in the Best Feature race . The predictions reflect a competitive independent film landscape from 2025, with “Lurker” leading Best First Feature with six votes .
Adolpho Veloso’s cinematography in “Train Dreams” and “The Secret Agent” for Best International Film both received complete consensus from all seven predictors .
What to watch next: The ceremony takes place Sunday, February 15, 2026, honoring independent cinema achievements from the past year.
Sources: Next Best Picture prediction article
Evan Cole Editor-in-Chief | Breaking News & Public Policy
“From Washington to Wall Street, and Main Street to Hollywood—Evan Cole connects the dots.”
As the Editor-in-Chief at Newskilo, Evan leads a dynamic team of journalists dedicated to uncovering the truth behind the headlines. With over 15 years in digital media, Evan has a reputation for cutting through the noise.
While he is widely recognized for his deep analysis of U.S. fiscal policy (IRS & Stimulus), Evan’s expertise extends to global current events, corporate accountability, and cultural trends. Whether he is breaking down a complex government bill, exposing a tech giant’s failure, or analyzing the societal impact of a viral celebrity moment, Evan’s goal is simple: To tell the stories that shape our world with clarity, accuracy, and integrity.