"Silver Linings Playbook" Dominates 2013 Independent Spirit Awards

by Leroy Douresseaux

Silver Linings Playbook won four awards at the 28th Annual Film Independent Spirit Awards.  This includes "Best Feature," "Best Actress" (Jennifer Lawrence), and "Best Director" and "Best Screenplay" for David O. Russell, the writer/director of Silver Linings Playbook.  The Sessions saw two of its performers win, John Hawkes as "Best Male Lead" and Helen Hunt as "Best Supporting Female."

The 28th Annual Film Independent Spirit Awards winners were announced at the Spirit Awards on Saturday, February 23, 2013. The awards ceremony was held as a daytime luncheon in a tent on the beach in Santa Monica. Later, the ceremony was aired that evening at 10:00 pm ET/PT on IFC.

The Winners for the 2013 Film Independent Spirit Awards:

BEST FEATURE:
Silver Linings Playbook
PRODUCERS: Bruce Cohen, Donna Gigliotti, Jonathan Gordon

BEST DIRECTOR:
David O. Russell - Silver Linings Playbook

BEST SCREENPLAY
David O. Russell - Silver Linings Playbook

BEST FIRST FEATURE (Award given to the director and producer):
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
DIRECTOR: Stephen Chbosky
PRODUCERS: Lianne Halfon, John Malkovich, Russell Smith

BEST FIRST SCREENPLAY
Derek Connolly - Safety Not Guaranteed

JOHN CASSAVETES AWARD:
Middle of Nowhere
WRITER/DIRECTOR/PRODUCER: Ava DuVernay
PRODUCERS: Howard Barish, Paul Garnes

(Given to the best feature made for under $500,000. Award given to the writer, director, and producer. Executive Producers are not awarded.)

BEST FEMALE LEAD
Jennifer Lawrence - Silver Linings Playbook

BEST MALE LEAD
John Hawkes - The Sessions

BEST SUPPORTING FEMALE
Helen Hunt - The Sessions

BEST SUPPORTING MALE
Matthew McConaughey - Magic Mike

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Ben Richardson - Beasts of the Southern Wild

BEST DOCUMENTARY (Award given to the director and producer):
The Invisible War
DIRECTOR: Kirby Dick
PRODUCERS: Tanner King Barklow, Amy Ziering

BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM (Award given to the director):
Amour (France)
DIRECTOR: Michael Haneke

16th ANNUAL PIAGET PRODUCERS AWARD:
Stones in the Sun - Producer: Mynette Louie

(The 16th 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.)

19th ANNUAL SOMEONE TO WATCH AWARD:
Gimme the Loot - Director: Adam Leon

(The 19th 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.)

STELLA ARTOIS TRUER THAN FICTION AWARD:
The Waiting Room - Director: Peter Nicks

(The 18th 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.)

ROBERT ALTMAN AWARD (Given to one film’s director, casting director, and its ensemble cast):
Starlet
Director: Sean Baker
Casting Director: Julia Kim
Ensemble Cast: Dree Hemingway, Besedka Johnson, Karren Karagulian, Stella Maeve, James Ransone