It is named after actor/screenwriter/director John Cassavetes, a pioneer of American independent film.
The award is given to the directors, writers and producers of a film.
[1] Created for the 15th Independent Spirit Awards, it was originally called the Independent Spirit Award for Best First Feature (Under $500,000).
The first recipient of the award was the horror film The Blair Witch Project.
In 2023, the rules changed to include any feature film budgeted under $1,000,000.