FILM INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARD WINNERS

Best Feature
Silver Linings Playbook (Bruce Cohen, Donna Gigliotti and Jonathan Gordon)

Best Director
David O. Russell (Silver Linings Playbook)

Best Male Lead
John Hawkes (The Sessions)

Best Female Lead
Jennifer Lawrence (Silver Linings Playbook)

Best Supporting Male
Matthew McConaughey (Magic Mike)

Best Supporting Female
Helen Hunt (The Sessions)


Best Screenplay
David O. Russell (Silver Linings Playbook)

Best Cinematography
Ben Richardson (Beasts of the Southern Wild)

Best Documentary
The Invisible War (Tanner Barklow, Kirby Dick and Amy Zierling)

Best International Film
Amour (Michael Haneke) - France

Best First Feature
The Perks of Being a Wallflower (Stephen Chbosky, Lianne Halfon, John Malkovich and Russell Smith)

Best First Screenplay
Derek Connolly (Safety Not Guaranteed)

Robert Altman Award
Starlet (Sean Baker, Dree Hemingway, Besedka Johnson, Karren Karagulian, Julia Kim, Stella Maeve and James Ransone)

John Cassavetes Award
Middle of Nowhere (Howard Barish, Ava DuVernay and Paul Garnes)

Truer Than Fiction Award
The Waiting Room (Peter Nicks)

Someone to Watch Award
Gimme the Loot (Adam Leon)

Producers Award
Mynette Louie

Special Distinction Award
Harris Savides

Baa! Resisting the opportunity to reward Beasts of the Southern Wild, the Spirit voters went with the other Oscar nominee, you know, the one that has a chance tomorrow night? Gone are the days when they relished their independence, I suppose. Beasts wins in Cinematography, but fellow Best Feature nominees are shut out, including the wonderful Keep the Lights On, and both Bernie and Moonrise Kingdom - remember when it looked like a pretty big contender? Of course, Michael Haneke wins Best International Film, as the rules state that Michael Haneke must win at least one award at every major awards ceremony this season. The only acting winner who didn't strip off in their winning performance was Jennifer Lawrence, which I think is Film Independent's way of giving her a hint. You know who to blame if Catching Fire gets slapped with an NC-17, bitches! Nominees, which were announced eight whole years ago (at least that's what it feels like), reside here.