[3][4][5] Actors Chadwick Boseman and Viola Davis, director Steve McQueen, writer Ryan Murphy, and the cast of The Trial of the Chicago 7 received tribute awards.

[6] The awards honored the best independent filmmaking released between January 2020 and February 2021.

Originally scheduled to take place on November 20, 2020, the ceremony was pushed back by two months due to the coronavirus pandemic.

[7] Originally scheduled to take place in November 2020, the ceremony was pushed back due to the coronavirus pandemic.

[7] To be eligible for the film awards, the films must be over 70 minutes, have a budget of under $35 million and must have been written, directed, and produced by a United States citizen (except for films qualifying for the Best International Feature category).