After hitting the “blue carpet” to kick off the 31st Film Independent Spirit Awards, film critic debbie lynn elias moved to the awards press tent to speak with the winners of this year’s Spirit Awards. As soon as they leave the awards stage, winners are ushered to the photo tent and then onto the journalists where they are peppered with questions for their thoughts on filmmaking, their individual journey and winning the Film Independent Spirit Award.
Take a look and a listen as The Winners Speak. . .
Best Supporting Male: Idris Elba, BEASTS OF NO NATION
Best First Screenplay: Emma Donoghue, ROOM
Best Documentary: THE LOOK OF SILENCE
Director Joshua Oppenheimer and Producer Signe Byrge Sørensen
Robert Altman Award: SPOTLIGHT
Director: Tom McCarthy
Casting Directors: Kerry Barden, Paul Schnee
Ensemble Cast: Billy Crudup, Michael Cyril Creighton, Paul Guilfoyle, Neal Huff, Brian d’Arcy James, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Mark Ruffalo, Liev Schreiber, Jamey Sheridan, John Slattery, Stanley Tucci
Best Cinematography: Ed Lachman, CAROL
Best First Feature: THE DIARY OF A TEENAGE GIRL
Director Marielle Heller with Producers Miranda Bailey, Anne Carey, Bert Hamelinck, Madeline Samit
John Cassavetes Award: KRISHA
Writer/Director/Producer Trey Edward Shults and Producers Justin R. Chan, Chase Joliet, Wilson Smith
Best Screenplay: Tom McCarthy and Josh Singer, SPOTLIGHT
Best International Film: SON OF SAUL (Hungary)
Director László Nemes
Best Supporting Female: Mya Taylor,TANGERINE
Best Director: Tom McCarthy, SPOTLIGHT
Best Male Lead: Abraham Attah, BEASTS OF NO NATION
Best Female Lead: Brie Larson, ROOM
Best Feature: SPOTLIGHT
Producers: Blye Pagon Faust, Steve Golin, Nicole Rocklin and Michael Sugar, Director Tom McCarthy and cast
An additional award for Best Editing was presented to Tom McArdle for SPOTLIGHT prior to the main event.
At the Spirit Award Nominees Brunch held January 9, 2016, additional awards were presented as follows:
Piaget Producers Award: Mel Eslyn. This award honoes emerging producers who, despite highly limited resources, demonstrate the creativity, tenacity and vision required to produce quality independent films.
Kiehl’s Someone to Watch Award: Felix Thompson, director of KING JACK. This award recognizes talented filmmakerrs of a singular vision who have not yet received appropriate recognition.
Truer Than Fiction Award: Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi for INCORRUPTIBLE. This award is presented to an emerging director of non-fiction features (aka documentaries) who has not yet received significant recognition.
