Click through each award to see the full list of nominees and winners!
2020 Film Independent Spirit Awards – Best Female Lead
Judy
Renée Zellweger
2019 Film Independent Spirit Awards – Best Female Lead
The Wife
Glenn Close
2018 Film Independent Spirit Awards – Best Female Lead
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Frances McDormand
2017 Film Independent Spirit Awards – Best Female Lead
Elle
Isabelle Huppert
2016 Film Independent Spirit Awards – Best Female Lead
Room
Brie Larson
2015 Film Independent Spirit Awards – Best Female Lead
Still Alice
Julianne Moore
2014 Film Independent Spirit Awards – Best Female Lead
Blue Jasmine
Cate Blanchett
2013 Film Independent Spirit Awards – Best Female Lead
Silver Linings Playbook
Jennifer Lawrence
2012 Film Independent Spirit Awards – Best Female Lead
My Week with Marilyn
Michelle Williams
2011 Film Independent Spirit Awards – Best Female Lead
Black Swan
Natalie Portman
2010 Film Independent Spirit Awards – Best Female Lead
Precious
Gabourey Sidibe
2009 Film Independent Spirit Awards – Best Female Lead
Frozen River
Melissa Leo
2008 Film Independent Spirit Awards – Best Female Lead
Juno
Ellen Page
2007 Film Independent Spirit Awards – Best Female Lead
Half Nelson
Shareeka Epps
2006 Film Independent Spirit Awards – Best Female Lead
Transamerica
Felicity Huffman
2005 Film Independent Spirit Awards – Best Female Lead
Maria Full of Grace
Catalina Sandino Moreno
2004 Film Independent Spirit Awards – Best Female Lead
Monster
Charlize Theron
2003 Film Independent Spirit Awards – Best Female Lead
Far from Heaven
Julianne Moore
2002 Film Independent Spirit Awards – Best Female Lead
In the Bedroom
Sissy Spacek
2001 Film Independent Spirit Awards – Best Female Lead
Requiem for a Dream
Ellen Burstyn
2000 Film Independent Spirit Awards – Best Female Lead
Boys Don’t Cry
Hilary Swank
1999 Film Independent Spirit Awards – Best Female Lead
High Art
Ally Sheedy
1998 Film Independent Spirit Awards – Best Female Lead
Afterglow
Julie Christie
1997 Film Independent Spirit Awards – Best Female Lead
Fargo
Frances McDormand
1996 Film Independent Spirit Awards – Best Female Lead
Leaving Las Vegas
Elisabeth Shue
1995 Film Independent Spirit Awards – Best Female Lead
The Last Seduction
Linda Fiorentino
1994 Film Independent Spirit Awards – Best Female Lead
Ruby in Paradise
Ashley Judd
1993 Film Independent Spirit Awards – Best Female Lead
Gas, Food Lodging
Fairuza Balk
1992 Film Independent Spirit Awards – Best Female Lead
Impromptu
Judy Davis
1991 Film Independent Spirit Awards – Best Female Lead
The Grifters
Anjelica Huston
1990 Film Independent Spirit Awards – Best Female Lead
Sex, Lies, and Videotape
Andie MacDowell
1989 Film Independent Spirit Awards – Best Female Lead
Five Corners
Jodie Foster
1988 Film Independent Spirit Awards – Best Female Lead
Anna
Sally Kirkland
1987 Film Independent Spirit Awards – Best Female Lead
Blue Velvet
Isabella Rossellini
1986 Film Independent Spirit Awards – Best Female Lead
