American Factory, Apollo 11 and For Sama were among the nominations revealed Thursday (Nov. 21) for the 35th annual Film Independent Spirit Awards.

Winners, selected by the members of the Film Independent organization, will be announced at the awards show, held on Feb. 8, 2020 at Santa Monica beach.

The Spirit Awards Nominating Committees selected the nominees from more than 430 submissions this year, applying the following guidelines: uniqueness of vision, original and provocative subject matter and economy of means.

Nominees for Best Documentary and the Truer Than Fiction Award are listed below.

The 25th annual Truer Than Fiction Award is presented to an emerging director of non-fiction features who has not yet received significant recognition. It includes a US$25,000 unrestricted grant.

“The Film Independent Spirit Awards celebrate the best films of the year – films characterized by creative independence and original, provocative subject matter, as well as diversity, innovation and uniqueness of vision,” Film Independent president Josh Welsh said in a statement. “At a time when the film business is undergoing such change and challenges, it’s important to loudly celebrate the work itself – the films – and to recognize 2019 as a year of bold, audacious and accomplished filmmaking. That’s what the Spirit Awards are all about.”

To see a full list of nominees, visit Film Independent’s website.

BEST DOCUMENTARY

American Factory (pictured)
Director/producer: Steven Bognar & Julia Reichert
Producers: Julie Parker Benello, Jeff Reichert

Apollo 11
Director/producer: Todd Douglas Miller
Producers: Evan Krauss, Thomas Baxley Petersen

For Sama
Director: Edward Watts
Director/producer: Waad al-Kateab

Honeyland
Director: Tamara Kotevska
Director/producer: Ljubo Stefanov
Producer: Atanas Georgiev

Island of the Hungry Ghosts
Director/producer: Gabrielle Brady
Producers: Gizem Acarla, Samm Haillay, Alex Kelly, Alexander Wadouh

TRUER THAN FICTION AWARD

Khalik Allah
Director of Black Mother

Davy Rothbart
Director of 17 Blocks

Nadia Shihab
Director of Jaddoland

Erick Stoll & Chase Whiteside
Directors of América