$25,000 Spirit Awards Digital Creator Award

Film Independent, the organisation behind the Film Independent Spirit Awards, has added a new Digital Creator Award for 2027, recognising independent storytellers who make original narrative or experimental work for YouTube, Instagram, TikTok and other online platforms. It was developed with Creator Camp, a media company that supports digital storytellers, and the winner receives a $25,000 unrestricted cash grant. Submissions are free and made by the creator, as a body of work of three videos from three separate series.

What you get:

• A $25,000 unrestricted cash grant for the winner
• Nominees are celebrated at the Spirit Awards Nominee Brunch on January 9, 2027 at The London West Hollywood, where the award is presented
• Nominees and the winner attend the 42nd Film Independent Spirit Awards ceremony on March 6, 2027

What you'll do:

• Submit three representative videos, each from a separate online series of at least three episodes
• Write series and episode synopses of 100 words or less each
• Write a creator statement of up to 1,500 words on your directing style, why you made these works now, and what you want to make next
• Provide a still from each video and a headshot

Key dates:

• Must be a US citizen or permanent resident with a green card
• Narrative or experimental content made with the intent to release online, premiering first on a digital platform such as YouTube, Instagram or TikTok
• A body of work of three videos, each representing a separate series
• Each series must have at least three episodes released online
• At least one series must premiere online between January 1 and December 31, 2026
• Each representative video must be between one and sixty-nine minutes long
• Branded content is permitted if the collaboration terms are noted in the submission form
• The award is given to the director or directors