2009 INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS 2009

By D.E.Levine

The 2009 Independent Spirit Awards were held Saturday, February 21, in a tent on the beach in Santa Monica, CA. The Spirit Awards honor films made by filmmakers who embody independence and who dare to challen ge the status quo.

This year's major category winners were:

BEST FEATURE: The Wrestler
BEST DIRECTOR: Tom McCarthy for The Visitor
BEST SCREENPLAY: Woody Allen for Vicky Cristina Barcelona
BEST FIRS FEATURE: Synecdoche, New York
BEST FIRST SCREENPLAY: Duston Lance Black for Milk
JOHN CASSAVETES AWARD: In Search of A Midnight Kiss (for the Best Feature made for under $500,000)
BEST SUPPORTING FEMALE: Penelope Cruz for Vicky Christina Barcelona
BEST SUPPORTING MALE: James Franco for Milk
BEST FEMALE LEAD: Melissa Leo for Frozen River
BEST MALE LEAD: Mickey Rourke for The Wrestler
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY: Maryse Alberti for The Wrestler
BEST FOREIGN FILM: The Class (French)
BEST DOCUMENTARY: Man on Wire