The spirit of filmmaking, director Clint Bentley declared Sunday night at the Film Independent Spirit Awards, lies in its ability to inject “goodness into the world,” even when that world feels overwhelmingly chaotic. Accepting the award for Best Director for his film Train Dreams, Bentley spoke to the power of collaborative storytelling as a counterforce to division and despair.
“I’ve been thinking a lot, I think as we all have, like, what’s the point at times?” Bentley said onstage, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. “It can feel as the world is turning upside down, and feels like it’s on fire. It feels kind of meaningless to then get a bunch of people together and be like, ‘Well, you’re going to be the doctor and she’s going to be the cop, and then you’re going to say these words.’ And yet, in a world where there’s so many people trying to put up walls and put people in cages and divide people, we’re making little communities and we’re putting goodness into the world. And when there’s a lot of people trying to do the opposite, I think that’s worth doing. Who knows where it’ll lead us, but I think it’s worth trying to make the world a little bit better every little step we can.”
Train Dreams, a critically acclaimed adaptation of Denis Johnson’s novella, proved to be the night’s big winner at the Spirit Awards, taking home both Best Feature and Best Cinematography. The film also received nominations for Best Lead Performance (Joel Edgerton) and Best Director, solidifying its position as a frontrunner in the independent film landscape. The win comes at a pivotal moment for the industry, as highlighted by Awards Daily’s recent assessment of the 2026 Oscar contenders, a year described as one that “almost broke Hollywood.”
The film’s success is particularly notable given the source material. Bentley acknowledged the courage of the film’s producer in greenlighting an adaptation of Johnson’s work, a notoriously challenging text. He also extended gratitude to co-writer Greg Kwedar and his wife, both of whom were unable to attend the ceremony. The collaborative spirit Bentley championed in his speech clearly extends to the creative team behind Train Dreams.
The Spirit Awards, known for celebrating independent filmmaking, also served as a platform for protest. Natasha Rothwell, Tessa Thompson, and Kumail Nanjiani were among the stars who used the event to demonstrate against ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), underscoring the intersection of art and activism within the industry. This demonstration adds another layer of complexity to the evening, highlighting the social consciousness prevalent among many in the film community.
Bentley’s win places him among a distinguished group of filmmakers recognized for their contributions to independent cinema. He bested a competitive field of nominees including Mary Bronstein (If I Had Legs I’d Kick You), Lloyd Lee Choi (Lucky Lu), Ira Sachs (Peter Hujar’s Day), and Eva Victor (Sorry, Baby). The recognition is a significant boost for Bentley, who has established himself as a compelling voice in contemporary American filmmaking.
The momentum for Train Dreams doesn’t stop at the Spirit Awards. The film is now a major contender in the upcoming Academy Awards, having secured four nominations, including the coveted Best Picture category. This dual recognition from both the independent and mainstream awards circuits signals a broad appeal and critical resonance for the film.
The success of Train Dreams also arrives within a broader context of shifting tastes and preferences among film audiences. IMDb’s ongoing list of best films from 2020-2029, currently topped by Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, demonstrates a continued appreciation for ambitious, thought-provoking cinema. The inclusion of Train Dreams in this conversation suggests a growing appetite for character-driven narratives and nuanced storytelling.
a recent gallery published by IndieWire showcasing the favorite films of 2025 from 56 directors included Train Dreams, further cementing its critical standing within the filmmaking community. Pedro Almodóvar, among others, highlighted the film’s impact, suggesting a level of respect and admiration that extends beyond awards recognition.
As Bentley eloquently articulated, the act of filmmaking itself can be a powerful force for good. In a world often characterized by division and uncertainty, the creation of art – and the communities that form around it – offers a glimmer of hope and a reminder of our shared humanity. The success of Train Dreams, both critically and commercially, serves as a testament to that enduring power.
