By AI Creative Media
Moonlight was the big winner at 2017 Film Independent’s Spirit Awards on Saturday afternoon, sweeping all six awards it was up for, including best feature. Barry Jenkins, who directed and wrote the movie, won the Best Director and Screenplay trophies.
The ceremony took place in Santa Monita, California on Saturday a day before the Oscars. Comedians Nick Kroll and John Mulaney co-hosted the event which aired live on the IFC channel.
Independent Spirit Awards recognizes excellence in low-budget film-making. Oscar front-runner La La Land was not eligible as its budget was just above the $20 million eligibility ceiling.
Here is the full winners list:
BEST FEATURE – Moonlight
BEST DIRECTOR – Barry Jenkins, Moonlight
BEST FEMALE LEAD – Isabelle Huppert, Elle
BEST MALE LEAD – Casey Affleck, Manchester by the Sea
BEST SUPPORTING FEMALE – Molly Shannon, Other People
BEST SUPPORTING MALE – Ben Foster, Hell or High Water
BEST SCREENPLAY – Barry Jenkins, Tarell Alvin McCraney, Moonlight
BEST EDITING – Joi McMillon, Nat Sanders, Moonlight
BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE – O.J.: Made In America
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY – James Laxton, Moonlight
BEST FIRST FEATURE – The Witch
BEST FIRST SCREENPLAY – Robert Eggers, The Witch
JOHN CASSAVETES AWARD – Spa Night
ROBERT ALTMAN AWARD – Moonlight
BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM – Toni Erdmann
PIAGET PRODUCERS AWARD – Jordana Mollick
KIEHL’S SOMEONE TO WATCH AWARD – Anna Rose Holmer, The Fits
TRUER THAN FICTION AWARD – Nanfu Wang, Hooligan Sparrow
Oscar frontrunner La La Land not eligible for these awards (its budget was above the Spirit Award cutoff of $20 million), it was Barry Jenkins’ drama who stole the spotlight, with Jenkins winning for Director and Screenplay in addition to wins for Cinematography and Editing.