2017 Film Independent Spirit Awards Winners
Moonlight, The Witch, Other People, and the other winners of the 2017 Film Independent Spirit Awards have been announced. The 32th Annual Film Independent Spirit Awards “are awards dedicated to independent filmmakers…The Independent Spirit Awards are presented by Film Independent, a non-profit organization dedicated to independent film and independent filmmakers.”
Ahead of the 2017 Oscar awards, the 2017 Spirit Awards have been announced and its winner was not a surprise. Moonlight swept the awards and won six awards. In a remarkable turn, Jackie was shut out of every awards category. Was it because Jackie is a contender at the Oscars tonight and voters wanted to make sure Moonlight got its due? Was it because they believe Jackie was more hype than substance? Or did they judge Moonlight to be superior to Jackie?
Regardless of how the voting decisions were made, each film has its strengths and weaknesses.
I was very happy to see The Witch get the recognition that it deserved at the 2017 Spirit Awards. I hope it gets more of the same at the Oscars tonight.
The full listing of winners for the 2017 Film Independent Spirit Awards Winners:
Best Feature:
Moonlight(A24)
Producers: Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Adele Romanski
Best Director:
Barry Jenkins, Moonlight (A24)
Best Screenplay:
Barry Jenkins, Tarell Alvin McCraney (Story By), Moonlight (A24)
Best First Feature:
The Witch (A24)
Director: Robert Eggers
Producers: Daniel Bekerman, Jay Van Hoy, Lars Knudsen, Jodi Redmond, Rodrigo Teixeira
Best First Screenplay:
Robert Eggers, The Witch (A24)
John Cassavetes Award (For best feature made under $500,000):
Spa Night (Strand Releasing)
Writer/Director: Andrew Ahn
Producers: David Ariniello, Giulia Caruso, Ki Jin Kim, Kelly Thomas
Best Supporting Female:
Molly Shannon, Other People (Vertical Entertainment)
Best Supporting Male:
Ben Foster, Hell or High Water (CBS Films/Lionsgate)
Best Female Lead:
Isabelle Huppert, Elle (Sony Pictures Classics)
Best Male Lead:
Casey Affleck, Manchester by the Sea (Amazon Studios)
Robert Altman Award:
Moonlight (A24)
Director: Barry Jenkins
Casting Director: Yesi Ramirez
Ensemble Cast: Mahershala Ali, Patrick Decile, Naomie Harris, Alex Hibbert, André Holland, Jharrel Jerome, Janelle Monáe, Jaden Piner, Trevante Rhodes, Ashton Sanders
Best Cinematography:
James Laxton, Moonlight (A24)
Best Editing:
Joi McMillon, Nat Sanders, Moonlight (A24)
Best International Film:
Toni Erdmann (Germany and Romania– Sony Pictures Classics)
Director: Maren Ade
Best Documentary:
O.J.: Made in America (ESPN Films)
Director/Producer: Ezra Edelman
Producers: Deirdre Fenton, Libby Geist, Nina Krstic, Erin Leyden, Tamara Rosenberg, Connor Schell, Caroline Waterlow
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