12th Independent Spirit Awards 1997
The 12th Independent Spirit Awards, hosted by Samuel L. Jackson, honored the best in independent filmmaking for 1996. Winners were announced on March 22, 1997, across performance, directing, writing, and technical categories. The awards recognize and support excellence in low-budget, independent cinema.
Highlights of 12th Independent Spirit Awards 1997 – Best Moments, Winners, Speeches & Red Carpet Recap
Relive the most iconic moments from the 12th Independent Spirit Awards 1997. Explore top wins, emotional speeches, surprise victories, red carpet fashion, and viral highlights from the 1997 ceremony.
Total movie nominations
19
Total movie wins
7
Total people nominations
24
Total people wins
7
Most Nominations
Fargo
Most Wins
Fargo
Most recognized genres
Drama
Crime
Comedy
Most Nominations
David O. Russell
All Best Feature Winners and Nominees – 12th Independent Spirit Awards 1997
Explore the full list of winners and nominees for the Best Feature category at the 12th Independent Spirit Awards 1997. Find out which films and performances earned critical acclaim in this prestigious awards category.
All Best Director Winners and Nominees – 12th Independent Spirit Awards 1997
Explore the full list of winners and nominees for the Best Director category at the 12th Independent Spirit Awards 1997. Find out which films and performances earned critical acclaim in this prestigious awards category.
All Best Male Lead Winners and Nominees – 12th Independent Spirit Awards 1997
Explore the full list of winners and nominees for the Best Male Lead category at the 12th Independent Spirit Awards 1997. Find out which films and performances earned critical acclaim in this prestigious awards category.
All Best Female Lead Winners and Nominees – 12th Independent Spirit Awards 1997
Explore the full list of winners and nominees for the Best Female Lead category at the 12th Independent Spirit Awards 1997. Find out which films and performances earned critical acclaim in this prestigious awards category.
WINNER
Fargo
Nominees
All Best Supporting Male Winners and Nominees – 12th Independent Spirit Awards 1997
Explore the full list of winners and nominees for the Best Supporting Male category at the 12th Independent Spirit Awards 1997. Find out which films and performances earned critical acclaim in this prestigious awards category.
All Best Supporting Female Winners and Nominees – 12th Independent Spirit Awards 1997
Explore the full list of winners and nominees for the Best Supporting Female category at the 12th Independent Spirit Awards 1997. Find out which films and performances earned critical acclaim in this prestigious awards category.
All Best Screenplay Winners and Nominees – 12th Independent Spirit Awards 1997
Explore the full list of winners and nominees for the Best Screenplay category at the 12th Independent Spirit Awards 1997. Find out which films and performances earned critical acclaim in this prestigious awards category.
All Best First Screenplay Winners and Nominees – 12th Independent Spirit Awards 1997
Explore the full list of winners and nominees for the Best First Screenplay category at the 12th Independent Spirit Awards 1997. Find out which films and performances earned critical acclaim in this prestigious awards category.
WINNER
Big Night
Nominees
All Best First Feature Winners and Nominees – 12th Independent Spirit Awards 1997
Explore the full list of winners and nominees for the Best First Feature category at the 12th Independent Spirit Awards 1997. Find out which films and performances earned critical acclaim in this prestigious awards category.
All Best Debut Performance Winners and Nominees – 12th Independent Spirit Awards 1997
Explore the full list of winners and nominees for the Best Debut Performance category at the 12th Independent Spirit Awards 1997. Find out which films and performances earned critical acclaim in this prestigious awards category.
All Best Cinematography Winners and Nominees – 12th Independent Spirit Awards 1997
Explore the full list of winners and nominees for the Best Cinematography category at the 12th Independent Spirit Awards 1997. Find out which films and performances earned critical acclaim in this prestigious awards category.
WINNER
Fargo
Nominees
All Best Foreign Film Winners and Nominees – 12th Independent Spirit Awards 1997
Explore the full list of winners and nominees for the Best Foreign Film category at the 12th Independent Spirit Awards 1997. Find out which films and performances earned critical acclaim in this prestigious awards category.
All Winners and Nominees – Full 12th Independent Spirit Awards Awards 1997 Category Breakdown
Explore the complete list of winners and nominees from the 12th Independent Spirit Awards Awards 1997. Browse every award category including Best Picture, Best Director, acting honors, technical awards, and more – all in one place.
12th Independent Spirit Awards - Best Feature
12th Independent Spirit Awards - Best Director
12th Independent Spirit Awards - Best Male Lead
12th Independent Spirit Awards - Best Female Lead
12th Independent Spirit Awards - Best Supporting Male
12th Independent Spirit Awards - Best Supporting Female
12th Independent Spirit Awards - Best Screenplay
12th Independent Spirit Awards - Best First Screenplay
12th Independent Spirit Awards - Best First Feature
12th Independent Spirit Awards - Best Debut Performance
12th Independent Spirit Awards - Best Cinematography
12th Independent Spirit Awards - Best Foreign Film
