The 2023 Film Independent Spirit Awards nominees were announced on November 22, 2022, recognizing the finest achievements of American independent filmmakers. Today, Film Independent encompasses a broad community of individuals who appreciate and sustain artist-driven filmmaking.
Congratulations to the Tisch alumni nominated for an award! This year, 15 alumni received 16 nominations across 11 projects. We look forward to cheering you on at the ceremony on March 4, 2023! See the full list of nominees here.
BEST FIRST FEATURE (Award given to director and producer)
Aftersun
Charlotte Wells '17 (MFA, Kanbar Institute, Grad Film), Director
Emily the Criminal
Aubrey Plaza '05 (BFA, Kanbar Institute, Film & TV), Producer/Actor
The Inspection
Elegance Bratton '19 (MFA, Kanbar Institute, Grad Film), Director
Palm Trees and Power Lines
Jamie Dack '18 (MFA, Kanbar Institute, Grad Film), Director/Producer
Leah Chen Baker '22 (MFA, Kanbar Institute, Grad Film), Producer
JOHN CASSAVETES AWARD (Given to the best feature made for under $1,000,000; Award given to the writer, director, and producer)
The Cathedral
Ricky D’Ambrose ‘10 (BFA, Cinema Studies), Writer/Director
A Love Song
Max Walker-Silverman ‘20 (MFA, Kanbar Institute, Grad Film), Writer/Director/Producer
BEST FIRST SCREENPLAY
Palm Trees and Power Lines
Jamie Dack '18 (MFA, Kanbar Institute, Grad Film)
Audrey Findlay '15 (BFA, Goldberg Department of Dramatic Writing)
BEST LEAD PERFORMANCE
Emily the Criminal
Aubrey Plaza '05 (BFA, Kanbar Institute, Film & TV)
BEST BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE
Everything Everywhere All At Once
Stephanie Hsu ‘12 (BFA, Drama)
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Aftersun
Gregory Oke '16 (MFA, Kanbar Institute, Grad Film)
Pearl
Eliot Rockett '93 (MFA, Kanbar Institute, Grad Film)
BEST EDITING
The Cathedral
Ricky D’Ambrose '10 (BFA, Cinema Studies)
Marcel the Shell with Shoes On
Nick Paley '07 (BFA, Kanbar Institute, Film & TV)
Aftersun
Blair McClendon '18 (MFA, Kanbar Institute, Film & TV)
SOMEONE TO WATCH AWARD – The Someone to Watch Award, now in its 29th year, recognizes a talented filmmaker of singular vision who has not yet received appropriate recognition.
Nanny
Nikyatu Jusu '11 (MFA, Kanbar Institute, Graduate Film)
TRUER THAN FICTION AWARD – The Truer Than Fiction Award, now in its 28th year, is presented to an emerging director of non-fiction features who has not yet received significant recognition.
Mija
Isabel Castro '12 (BFA, Photography & Imaging)
*We apologize for omissions. Please send edits or additions to tsoa.alumni@nyu.edu.