Film Independent recently revealed the film and television winners for the 2023 Spirit Awards at a ceremony on March 4, 2023, in Santa Monica, CA. Celebrating its 38th year, the Spirit Awards recognize independent voices working outside the major studio system with eligible films having a budget cap of $30 million or less. Congratulations to all of the distinguished Alumni from the AFI Conservatory who worked on nominated and award-winning projects this year.

Best Feature

EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE – WINNER

– Zekun Mao (AFI Class of 2017), Assistant Editor

–Aashish D’Mello (AFI Class of 2017), Assistant Editor

–Todd Makurath (AFI Class of 2005), Executive Producer

TÁR

–Todd Field (AFI Class of 1992), Director/Producer/ Writer

–Ray Harvie (AFI Class of 1992), Storyboard Artist

Best Director

TÁR

–Todd Field (AFI Class of 1992), Director/Producer/ Writer

Best Screenplay

TÁR

–Todd Field (AFI Class of 1992), Director/Producer/ Writer

Best First Screenplay

EMILY THE CRIMINAL – WINNER

–John Patton Ford (AFI Class of 2009), Writer/Director

Best First Feature

EMILY THE CRIMINAL

–John Patton Ford (AFI Class of 2009), Writer/Director

–Jeff Bierman (AFI Class of 2009), Cinematographer

THE INSPECTION

–Erik Louis Robert (AFI Class of 2014), Production Designer

–Juli Kunke (AFI Class of 2014), Art Director

PALM TREES AND POWER LINES

–Rhianon Jones (AFI Class of 2007), Executive Producer

–Shi Min Yong (AFI Class of 2020), Art Director

John Cassavetes Award

A LOVE SONG

–Affonso Gonçalves (AFI Class of 1993), Editor

HOLY EMY (AGIA EMY)

–Callie Andreadis (Class of 2011), Production Designer

–Chryssanthy Kofidou (Class of 2012), Art Director Prep

Best Editing

EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE

–Zekun Mao (AFI Class of 2017), Assistant Editor

–Aashish D’Mello (AFI Class of 2017), Assistant Editor

Best International Film

CORSAGE

–Gottlieb Pallendorf (AFI Class of 1994), Line Producer/Production Manager

Best New Scripted Series

PACHINKO

–Franklin Rho (AFI Class of 2004), Writer/Executive Story Editor

THE PORTER

–Andrew Burrows-Trotman (AFI Class of 2010), Writer/Consulting Producer

SEVERANCE

–Wei-Ning Yu (AFI Class of 2010), Producer/Writer

STATION ELEVEN

–Jeremy Podeswa (AFI Class of 1984), Director/Executive Producer

–Anna Hauger (AFI Class of 2009), Editor

–Yoni Reiss (AFI Class of 2009), Editor

–Karoliina Tuovinen (AFI Class of 2007), Editor

Learn more about the AFI Conservatory, ranked the #1 film school in the nation.