2009 Independent Spirit Awards Winners

The Independent Spirit Awards were presented yesterday inside a giant white tent in beautiful Santa Monica, California. Congratulations to my fellow actors and filmmakers, especially those of In Search of a Midnight Kiss.


Best Feature

The Wrestler, Producers: Darren Aronofsky, Scott Franklin

Best Director

Thomas McCarthy, The Visitor

Best First Feature

Synecdoche, New York - Director: Charlie Kaufman
Producers: Anthony Bregman, Spike Jonze, Charlie Kaufman, Sidney Kimmel

John Cassavetes Award (Given to the best feature made for under $500,000)

In Search of a Midnight Kiss - Writer/Director: Alex Holdridge - Producers: Seth Caplan and Scoot McNairy

Best First Screenplay

Dustin Lance Black, Milk

Best Screenplay

Woody Allen, Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Best Female Lead

Melissa Leo, Frozen River

Best Male Lead

Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler

Best Supporting Female

Penelope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Best Supporting Male

James Franco, Milk

Best Cinematography

Maryse Alberti, The Wrestler

Best Documentary

Man on Wire - Director: James Marsh

Best Foreign Film

The Class (France) - Director: Laurent Cantet

Robert Altman Award (Given to one film's director, casting director and ensemble cast)

Synecdoche, New York - Director: Charlie Kaufman - Casting Director: Jeanne McCarthy
Ensemble Cast: Hope Davis, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Catherine Keener, Samantha Morton, Tom Noonan, Dianne Wiest, Michelle Williams

Someone to Watch Award

Lynn Shelton, My Effortless Brilliance

Truer Than Fiction Award

Margaret Brown, The Order of Myths

Producers Award

Heather Rae, Frozen River and Ibid