'CODA' star Troy Kotsur wins at Film Independent Sprit Awards

Emilia Jones and Troy Kotsur in "CODA"

Following his win at the SAG awards, the Gotham awards, and his Oscar nomination, Troy Kotsur won for Best Supporting Male at a ceremony honouring independent filmakers.

According to Deadline, Kotsur told press that he feels his win will encourage independent producers to cast more deaf people in film roles.

"What was most challenging for me was, producers of independent films often have fear wondering if there is marketability in having authenticity in casting deaf actors," he said. "To have that confidence, sometimes I feel like a little bug on the ground. Now I'm a big bug."

"Now they can finally see me and so I can say, 'Hello, we've grown and deaf folks can make change for the better,'" he continued. "Hollywood can have open hearts and open minds and give more inclusion to more diverse groups."

The Film Independent Spirit Awards eschew movies from major studios, but while Apple TV+ bought "CODA" for $25 million, it was made by Vendome Pictures and Pathe Films. Apple is therefore the distributor rather than the producing company, so "CODA" was eligible as an independent film.