Film Independent Spirit Awards showcased the best independent films that embodied diversity, innovation, and uniqueness of vision.
In its 35th year, the ceremony paid tribute to films such as The Farewell, Uncut Gems, The Lighthouse, Marriage Story, Judy, Booksmart, See You Yesterday, Give Me Liberty, American Factory and Parasite.
The awards ceremony took place on a sunny afternoon on the beach in Santa Monica, Calif., and broadcasted live on the IFC Channel. Additionally, the show re-broadcasts on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.
The primary winner with three awards was Uncut Gems, in which it won Best Director, Best Male Lead and Best Editing. Three films won two awards each, including The Farewell, The Lighthouse, and Marriage Story. Give Me Liberty won the John Cassavetes Award. Finally, the 13th annual Robert Altman Award recognized to one film’s director, casting director and ensemble cast with Marriage Story.
The distributor A24 won seven awards with Netflix garnering four awards.
The following is the complete list of winners:
Best Feature: The Farewell (A24) – Producers: Anita Gou, Daniele Melia, Andrew Miano, Peter Saraf, Marc Turtletaub, Lulu Wang, Chris Weitz, and Jane Zheng
Best Director: Uncut Gems (A24) – Benny Safdie and Josh Safdie
Best Screenplay: Marriage Story (Netflix) – Noah Baumbach
Best First Feature: Booksmart (Annapurna Pictures/United Artists Releasing) – Director Olivia Wilde; and Producers Chelsea Barnard, David Distenfeld, Jessical Elbaum, Megan Ellison, and Katie Silberman.
Best First Screenplay: See You Yesterday (Netflix) – Fredrica Bailey and Stefon Bristol
John Cassavetes Award [Best Feature under $500,000]: Give Me Liberty (Music Box Films) – Writer/Director Krill Mikhanovsky; Writer/Producer Alice Austen; Producers Val Abel, Wally Hall, Michael Manasseri, George Rush and Sergey Shtern.
Best Supporting Female: The Farewell (A24) — Zhao Shuzhen
Best Supporting Male: The Lighthouse (A24) — Willem Dafoe
Best Female Lead: Judy (Roadside Attractions) – Renee Zellweger
Best Male Lead: Uncut Gems (A24) – Adam Sandler
Robert Altman Award: Marriage Story (Netflix) – Director Noah Baumbach, Casting Directors Douglas Aibel and Francine Maisler; and an ensemble cast of Alan Aida, Laura Dern, Adam Driver, Julie Hagerty, Scarlett Johansson, Ray Liotta, Azhy Robertson, and Merritt Wever.
Best Cinematography: The Lighthouse (A24) – Jarin Blaschke
Best Editing: Uncut Gems (A24) – Ronald Bronstein and Benny Safdie
Best International Film: Parasite (Neon) – Director Bong Joon-Ho
Best Documentary: American Factor (Netflix) – Director/Producer Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert; and Producers Julie Parker Benello and Jeff Reichert.
For more information on the Film Independent Spirit Awards, visit its official web site here.
LRM Online was on the carpet before the awards ceremony. Watch the exclusive interviews with some of the nominees and guests below:
Island of the Hungry Ghosts with Alexander Wadouh and Gabrielle Brady (Best Documentary Nominee)
Retablo with Alvaro Delgado Aparicio (Best International Film Nominee)
Clemency with Bronwyn Cornelius and Julian Cautherley (Best Feature Nominee)
Greener Grass with Dawn Luebbe and Jocelyn DeBoer (Best First Screenplay Nominee)
For Sama with Edward Watts (Best Documentary Nominee)
A Hidden Life with Elisabeth Bentley (Best Feature Nominee)
Premature with Joy Ganes and Darren Dean (John Cassavetes Award Nominee)
The Climb with Kyle Marvin and Michael Angelo Covino (Best First Feature Nominee)
Give Me Liberty with Lauren “Lolo” Spencer (Best Supporting Actress Nominee)
To Dust with Shawn Snyder and Jason Begue (Best Screenplay Nominee)
IFC’s Sherman’s Showcase Diallo Riddle (Guest)
ALSO READ: The Results of the 72nd Annual Directors Guild of America Awards
Source: LRM Online Exclusive