2013 - Awards Season: Independent Spirit Awards are the Silver Linings for Smaller Films

February 24, 2013

Independent Spirit Award were handed out yesterday and while the average moviegoer will be more focused on the Oscars tonight, a lot of great films were honored yesterday. This includes Silver Linings Playbook, which took home numerous awards, including the top prizes.

The categories and winners are...

BEST FEATURE

• Silver Linings Playbook

BEST DIRECTOR

• David O. Russell for Silver Linings Playbook

BEST SCREENPLAY

• David O. Russell for Silver Linings Playbook

BEST FIRST FEATURE

• The Perks of Being a Wallflower

BEST FIRST SCREENPLAY

• Derek Connolly for Safety Not Guarenteed

JOHN CASSAVETES AWARD
(Given to the best feature made for under $500,000)

• Middle of Nowhere

BEST FEMALE LEAD

• Jennifer Lawrence for Silver Linings Playbook

BEST MALE LEAD

• John Hawkes for The Sessions

BEST SUPPORTING MALE

• Matthew McConaughey for Magic Mike

BEST SUPPORTING FEMALE

• Helen Hunt for The Sessions

BEST DOCUMENTARY

• The Invisible War

BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM

• Amour (France)

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

• Ben Richardson for Beasts of the Southern Wild

ROBERT ALTMAN AWARD (Given to one film's director, casting director and ensemble cast)

• Starlet

Also announced were the nominees for the three Filmmaker Grant Awards.

Piaget Producers Award

• Mynette Louie for Stones in the Sun

Acura Someone to Watch Award

• Adam Leon for Gimme the Loot

Stella Artois Truer Than Fiction Award is presented to an emerging director of non-fiction features who has not yet received significant attention.

• Peter Nicks for The Waiting Room

Notes and Reactions...

• There's not much to say, as Silver Linings Playbook dominated last night winning four of the five categories is was up for. The only one that has a real shot at repeating tonight is Jennifer Lawrence.
• On the other hand, Moonrise Kingdom was shut out going zero from five.
• The Sessions was the only other film to earn more than one award, as both John Hawkes and Helen Hunt took home trophies.
• Amour won last night and should win again tonight.

- C.S.Strowbridge

Filed under: Awards Season, Middle of Nowhere, The Sessions, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Moonrise Kingdom, Magic Mike, Silver Linings Playbook, Beasts of the Southern Wild, Safety Not Guaranteed, The Invisible War, Amour, The Waiting Room, Starlet, Gimme the Loot, John Hawkes, Helen Hunt, Jennifer Lawrence, Matthew McConaughey, David O. Russell, Derek Connolly, Ben Richardson, Peter Nicks, Adam Leon