Rungano Nyoni’s On Becoming a Guinea Fowl has secured a prominent nomination at the 2026 Film Independent Spirit Awards, earning a spot in the Best International Film category. The film will compete alongside Sirat, All That’s Left of You, A Poet, and The Secret Agent. It is the only African film nominated in the category this year.
The black comedy-drama follows Shula, who discovers her uncle’s body and, as the funeral unfolds, joins her cousins in confronting long-buried family secrets. The narrative unfolds as a sharp and vibrant reckoning with the lies people tell themselves. On Becoming a Guinea Fowl premiered in the Un Certain Regard section at the 77th Cannes Film Festival in May 2024 and is distributed by A24.
The 41st Film Independent Spirit Awards will take place on February 15, 2025, at the Hollywood Palladium. The ceremony will stream live on the Film Independent and IMDb YouTube channels, continuing the tradition of championing independent voices in cinema and television.
This year’s nominations saw Peter Hujar’s Day lead with five nods. Blue Sun Palace, Lurker, One of Them Days, Sorry, Baby, and Train Dreams followed closely with four nominations each, while Lucky Lu, The Plague, and Twinless earned three nominations apiece.
Television categories also featured strong representation. Forever, Adolescence, and Mr Loverman each received four nominations. British-Nigerian actor Ariyon Bakare received a nomination for Best Supporting Performance in Mr Loverman, adding another notable moment for African talent at the awards.
Now in their 41st year, the Spirit Awards continue to spotlight independent filmmaking from around the world. This year’s nominees span 18 countries and will compete for cash prizes ranging from $20,000 to $35,000.
