"The Artist" Wins Best Film at 2012 Independent Spirit Awards

The Film Independent Spirit Awards is an annual celebration honoring artist-driven films made with an economy of means by filmmakers who embody independence and originality. The Spirit Awards recognizes the achievements of American independent filmmakers and promotes the finest independent films of the year to a wider audience. This is the 27th year of the Film Independent Spirit Awards.

The 27th Film Independent Spirit Awards were given out in a televised ceremony on Saturday, February 25, 2012.  The Artist won the best picture and best director awards and now seems like a runaway train on the way to tonight's 84th Academy Awards.

2012 FILM INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARD WINNERS:

BEST FEATURE (Award given to the Producer, Executive Producers are not listed)
The Artist - Producer: Thomas Langmann

BEST DIRECTOR
Michel Hazanavicius for The Artist

BEST SCREENPLAY
Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon, Jim Rash for The Descendants

BEST FIRST FEATURE (Award given to the director and producer)
Margin Call
Director: J.C. Chandor
Producers: Robert Ogden Barnum, Michael Benaroya, Neal Dodson, Joe Jenckes, Corey Moosa, Zachary Quinto

BEST FIRST SCREENPLAY
Will Reiser for 50/50

JOHN CASSAVETES AWARD - Given to the best feature made for under $500,000. Award given to the writer, director, and producer. Executive Producers are not listed
PariahWriter/Director: Dee Rees
Producer: Nekisa Cooper

BEST FEMALE LEAD
Michelle Williams for My Week with Marilyn

BEST MALE LEAD
Jean Dujardin for The Artist

BEST SUPPORTING FEMALE
Shailene Woodley for The Descendants

BEST SUPPORTING MALE
Christopher Plummer for Beginners

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Guillaume Schiffman for The Artist

BEST DOCUMENTARY (Award given to the director and producer)
The Interrupters
Director/Producer: Steve James
Producer: Alex Kotlowitz

BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM (Award given to the director)
A Separation (Iran)
Director: Asghar Farhadi

ROBERT ALTMAN AWARD
(Given to one film’s director, casting director, and its ensemble cast)
Margin Call
Director: J.C. Chandor
Casting Director: Tiffany Little Canfield, Bernard Telsey
Ensemble Cast: Penn Badgley, Simon Baker, Paul Bettany, Jeremy Irons, Mary McDonnell, Demi Moore, Zachary Quinto, Kevin Spacey, Stanley Tucci

FILMMAKER GRANT NOMINEES:

PIAGET PRODUCERS AWARD – The 15th annual Piaget Producers Award honors emerging producers who, despite highly limited resources demonstrate the creativity, tenacity, and vision required to produce quality, independent films. The award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant funded by Piaget.
WINNER: Sophia Lin for Take Shelter

SOMEONE TO WATCH AWARD – The 18th annual Someone to Watch Award recognizes a talented filmmaker of singular vision who has not yet received appropriate recognition. The award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant.
WINNER: Mark Jackson for Without

TRUER THAN FICTION AWARD – The 17th annual Truer Than Fiction Award is presented to an emerging director of non-fiction features who has not yet received significant recognition. The award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant.
WINNER: Heather Courtney for Where Soldiers Come From

Jameson FIND Your Audience Award:
Alysa Nahmias and Benjamin Murray

http://www.spiritawards.com/