On the eve of the Oscars, The Independent Spirit Awards handed out their gongs and it was Darren Aronofsky’s **The Wrestler **that came out on top, winning Best Picture, Best Cinematography and Best Male Lead. Todd McCarthy managed to nab Best Director for The Visitor, Melissa Leo was recognised for her role in Frozen River and Penelope Cruz took Best Supporting Actor for Vicky Cristina Barcelona. James Franco also received some well-deserved recognition as Best Supporting Actor for his role in Milk. Want the full list? Read on.
Best Feature
The Wrestler
Ballast
Frozen River
Rachel Getting Married
Wendy and Lucy
Best First Feature
Synecdoche, New York
Afterschool
Medicine for Melancholy
Sangre De Mi Sangre
Sleep Dealer
Best Director**
Tom McCarthy - The Visitor**
Ramin Bahrani - Chop Shop
Jonathan Demme - Rachel Getting Married
Lance Hammer - Ballast
Courtney Hunt - Frozen River
Best Male Lead
Mickey Rourke - The Wrestler
Javier Bardem - Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Richard Jenkins - The Visitor
Sean Penn - Milk
Jeremy Renner - The Hurt Locker
Best Female Lead
Melissa Leo - Frozen River
Summer Bishil - Towelhead
Anne Hathaway - Rachel Getting Married
Tarra Riggs - Ballast
Michelle Williams - Wendy and Lucy
Best Supporting Male
James Franco - Milk
Anthony Mackie - The Hurt Locker
Charlie McDermott - Frozen River
JimMyron Ross - Ballast
Haaz Sleiman - The Visitor
Best Supporting Female
Penelope Cruz - Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Rosemarie DeWitt - Rachel Getting Married
Rosie Perez - The Take
Misty Upham - Frozen River
Debra Winger - Rachel Getting Married
Best Screenplay
Woody Allen - Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Anna Boden & Ryan Fleck - Sugar
Charlie Kaufman - Synecdoche, New York
Howard A. Rodman - Savage Grace
Christopher Zalla - Sangre De Mi Sangre
Best First Screenplay
Dustin Lance Black - Milk
Lance Hammer - Ballast
Courtney Hunt - Frozen River
Jonathan Levine - The Wackness
Jenny Lumet - Rachel Getting Married
Best Cinematography
Maryse Alberti - The Wrestler
Lol Crawley - Ballast
James Laxton - Medicine for Melancholy
Harris Savides - Milk
Michael Simmonds - Chop Shop
Best Documentary
The Betrayal
Encounters at the End of the World
Man on Wire
The Order of Myths
Up the Yangtze
Best Foreign Film
The Class (France)
Gomorra (Italy)
Hunger (U.K./Ireland)
Secret of the Grain (France)
Silent Light (Mexico/France/Netherlands/Germany)
John Cassavetes Award (Best feature made for less than $500,000)
In Search of a Midnight Kiss
Prince of Broadway
The Signal
Take Out
Turn the River