The writer-director-star made her feature debut with the film.
Analysis & Context
The writer-director-star made her feature debut with the film. ‘Sorry, Baby’ Wins Best Screenplay at 2026 Spirit Awards; First-Time Filmmaker Eva Victor Says She Could Only Make It “Independently”. Stay informed with the latest developments and expert analysis on this important story.
The writer-director-star made her feature debut with the film.
Eva Victor accepts the best screenplay award for 'Sorry, Baby' onstage during the 2026 Film Independent Spirit Awards on Feb. 15. Kevin Winter/Getty Images Share on Facebook Share on X Google Preferred Share to Flipboard Show additional share options Share on LinkedIn Share on Pinterest Share on Reddit Share on Tumblr Share on Whats App Send an Email Print the Article Post a Comment Sorry, Baby has won best screenplay at the 2026 Spirit Awards. Eva Victor, the film’s screenwriter and director and star, took to the stage to accept the award, presented by Weapons star Amy Madigan. There, she took a moment to acknowledge the importance of independent filmmaking. “Making this film independently is the only way I could have ever made it the way I needed to,” Victor said. “I’m so, so grateful for independent cinema, and I love everyone here for that.” She also thanked the cast of Sorry, Baby, Naomi Ackie, Lucas Hedges and John Carroll Lynch, the crew and team at A24, which distributed the picture and High Frequency, Big Beach and Tango Entertainment for “supporting an independent voice — a first time filmmaker.” Ackie later won best supporting performance for her work in the film. Related Stories Movies Ego Nwodim Pokes Fun at Cher's Luther Vandross Grammys Flub, Addresses "Heartbreaking Times" in Spirit Awards Monologue Movies Spirit Awards Host Ego Nwodim Jokes About Move From Beach to Hollywood Palladium: "We Don't Have a Permit" She added of those at Pastel: “It’s champions like that that let first time filmmakers make film.” Victor was nominated alongside Michael Angelo Covino and Kyle Marvin, (Splitsville), Angus MacLachlan (A Little Prayer), James Sweeney (Twinless) and Christian Swegal (Sovereign). Victor made her film debut with the indie, which had its world premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival and follows a young New England academic gradually recovering from a sexual assault. Before transitioning to film, Victor worked as a stand-up comedian and actor. The Hollywood Reporter’s senior reviews editor Jon Frosch, wrote in his review of Sorry, Baby: “Injecting a serious story of sexual assault with low-key laughs and considerable charm, Sorry, Baby sometimes leaves you wishing it went down a little less easy; you might find yourself missing rougher edges or regretting an overly cutesy choice here, an on-the-nose touch there. But whatever the movie lacks in surprise or sophistication, it makes up for in sly comic verve and a soulfulness that sticks with you.” He also praised Victor’s work: “If the name Eva Victor is unfamiliar to you, it may not be for long. A winning, at times strikingly strong big-screen debut, Sorry, Baby positions the writer-director-star as a triple threat, with a specific, fully formed voice blending irony and earnestness to beguiling effect.” See all of the winners from the 41st annual Spirit Awards here and all the stars that hit the red carpet here. Read More About: Awards Eva Victor Independent Spirit Awards Sorry Baby spirit awards 2026 THR Newsletters Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day Subscribe Sign Up More from The Hollywood Reporter spirit awards 2026 Ego Nwodim Pokes Fun at Cher’s Luther Vandross Grammys Flub, Addresses “Heartbreaking Times” in Spirit Awards Monologue
