Events
Feb 27, 2012

SPIRIT AWARDS

The Film Independent Spirit Awards celebrated its 27th year this past weekend with an awards show hosted by Seth Rogen. The Film Independent Spirit Awards take place each year right off the ocean in sunny Santa Monica, California, the day before the Academy Awards.

The attire is beachy and casual, and so is the mood. The Spirit Awards recognizes the achievements of independent filmmakers who embody independence and originality. The awards show promotes the best independent films of the year to a wider audience.

Everyone says there is a real community vibe at the Indie Spirit Awards. “There is very little competition and mostly, laughs, smiles and sunglasses as actors, directors, producers and agents alike all toast the best independent films of the year”.

A lot of the films that were being honored for Sunday’s Academy Awards were also celebrated Saturday with Spirit Award nominations, including The Artist, The Descendants, My Week With Marilyn, Beginners, Midnight In Paris, A Better Life, A Separation, Margin Call, and  Drive.

But one film in particular swept the night. The Artist pulled in Best Feature, Best Director, Best Male Lead and Best Cinematography. Crowd favorite Christopher Plummer won Best Supporting Male for Beginners. Along with 20-year-old Shailene Woodley won Best Supporting Female for The Descendants.

Michelle Williams took home Best Female Lead for The Weinstein’s My Week With Marilyn. She stated, “My friend was joking that until now I have been the Susan Lucci of the Indie Spirit Awards! I have been luckier and luckier to be working with better and better people. I still can’t even believe I did it, playing Marilyn. There wasn’t a direct path to playing her. The only way in was time and letting her dictate it instead of me controlling it.”  A job well done by this once small screen actor.

For a complete list of winners, visit the 2012 Independent Spirit Awards.

For more PPLA pictures from the event, please visit the Spirit Awards Photo Gallery.