The Independent Spirit Awards, the last trophies awarded this season before the Oscars, were handed out tonight on the beach in Santa Monica. For those who received Academy Award nominations, this was the final awards show before they find out if the title "Oscar winner" is suddenly attached to their name. The clear winner of this year's Spirit Awards was Silver Linings Playbook.
Not only did David O. Russell win for his direction and screenplay, but Silver Linings Playbook took home best feature and Jennifer Lawrence won for Lead Actress in a Film. As we reported in our Academy Awards predictions, Lawrence is the favorite to win the title at the Academy Awards Sunday night. This victory only enhances that fact.
Essentially ignored by the Oscars, The Sessions scored big as well winning acting awards for Best Female Lead Helen Hunt and Best Male Lead John Hawkes.
One of the highlights of the evening for Movie Fanatic was the victory of Matthew McConaughey for Magic Mike. He had one of the best years of anyone, yet has failed to earn any honors thus far in awards season. His turn in Magic Mike was astounding and we're thrilled that someone noticed.
The 2013 Independent Spirit Awards Winners:
Best Feature
Silver Linings Playbook
Best Male Lead
John Hawkes, The Sessions
Best Female Lead
Jennifer Lawrence, Silver Linings Playbook
Best Director
David O. Russell, Silver Linings Playbook
Best Supporting Male
Matthew McConaughey, Magic Mike
Best Supporting Female
Helen Hunt, The Sessions
Best International Film
Amour, directed by Michael Haneke
Best Screenplay
David O. Russell, Silver Linings Playbook
Best First Feature
The Perks Of Being A Wallflower, directed by Stephen Chbosky
Best First Screenplay
Derek Connolly, Safety Not Guaranteed
Robert Altman Award (For ensemble cast)
Starlet, directed by Sean Baker, starring Dree Hemingway, Besedka Johnson, Karren Karagulian, Stella Maeve, and James Ransone
John Cassaveetes Award (For best feature made for under $500,000)
Middle of Nowhere
Best Cinematography
Beasts of the Southern Wild
Best Documentary
The Invisible War
19th Annual Someone To Watch Award
Gimme the Loot, directed by Adam Leon
Stellar Artois Truer Than Fiction Award
The Waiting Room, directed by Peter Nicks
16th Annual Piaget Producers Award
Stones in the Sun, produced by Mynette Louie