The Independent Spirit Robert Altman Award is presented to the ensemble cast, director and casting director of a film by the Film Independent, a non-profit organization dedicated to independent film and independent filmmakers. It is named after director, screenwriter, and producer Robert Altman, who is considered a "maverick" in naturalistic films.

The award was created as a tribute after his death during the 2007 ceremony. The following year, it became a competitive category where a movie wins directly, without any nominees. The winner was I'm Not There. Two of its recipients, Marcus Carl Franklin and Cate Blanchett, were nominated for Best Supporting Male and Best Supporting Female, respectively (the latter won). The year after that, the rules changed so that the actors that win this award won't be eligible for the individual acting categories.