‘Moonlight’ Is the Big Winner at the Indie Spirit Awards

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.

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