‘Silver Linings Playbook’ Sweeps Indie Spirit Awards
Irking many within the tent in Santa Monica housing the 28th Independent Spirit Awards, David O. Russell’s $100 million grossing “Silver Linings Playbook” swept the Film Independent Spirit Awards, topping the favored likes of “Beasts of the Southern Wild.”
“Silver Linings” — which had a budget of $21 million ($1 million over the limit for the Spirits, but they nominated it anyway) — won best feature, best actress (Jennifer Lawrence) and two awards for David O. Russell, best director and best screenplay. Both Russell and the film’s producers acknowledged “Beasts” on stage, with the latter admitting they thought it was going to win.
One award it didn’t win was best actor, which Bradley Cooper lost to John Hawkes of “The Sessions.” That film also won best supporting actress for Helen Hunt.
Other winners included Matthew McConaughey for best supporting actor (“Magic Mike”), “Amour” for best international film and “The Invisible War” for best documentary.
Full list of winners:
BEST FEATURE:
“Silver Linings Playbook”
BEST DIRECTOR
David O. Russell, “Silver Linings Playbook”
BEST SCREENPLAY
“Silver Linings Playbook“
BEST FIRST FEATURE (Award given to the director and producer)
“The Perks of Being a Wallflower“
BEST FIRST SCREENPLAY
“Safety Not Guaranteed“
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 awarded.
“Middle of Nowhere“
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
“Beasts of the Southern Wild“
BEST DOCUMENTARY (Award given to the director and producer)
“The Invisible War”
BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM (Award given to the director)
“Amour“
16th ANNUAL PIAGET PRODUCERS AWARD – 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.
Mynette Louie
19th ANNUAL SOMEONE TO WATCH AWARD – 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.
Adam Leon, “Gimme the Loot”
STELLA ARTOIS TRUER THAN FICTION AWARD – 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.
Peter Nicks, “The Waiting Room”
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
