Debra Granik is following in Chloe Zhaó’s footsteps. The “Leave No Trace” helmer has been named as the recipient of the 2019 Bonnie Award, a press release from the Film Independent Spirit Awards announced. Zhaó took home the inaugural honor last year.

Named in honor of Bonnie Tiburzi Caputo, the first pilot to fly for a major U.S. airline, the award recognizes a mid-career female director with a $50,000 grant. Tamara Jenkins (“Private Life”) and Karyn Kusama (“Destroyer”) were finalists this year.

Best known as the Oscar-nominated co-writer and director of Jennifer Lawrence breakout “Winter’s Bone,” Granik’s other credits include “Stray Dog” and “Down to the Bone.” Her latest film, “Leave No Trace,” tells the story of  father and daughter whose lives are upended when local authorities put an end to their idyllic existence in the forests of Portland, Oregon. The drama made its world premiere at Sundance 2018.

“I want people [who see ‘Leave No Trace’] to think about all the people we don’t usually see represented onscreen in American cinema,” Granik told us. “I want people to think about what it means to live with the scars of the deep trauma caused by war and the people who spend the rest of their lives living on the margins of society as a result. I want people to think about what it means to live by your own choices in this country, even if you don’t agree with those choices, or society doesn’t sanction them.” She continued, “I want people to enjoy female protagonists who don’t have to be sexualized to be interesting to the story or to the commerce of filmmaking.”

Granik’s win was announced at the Spirit Awards nominee brunch over the weekend. The Indie Spirit Awards will take place February 23. Granik is nominated for Best Director.