Spirit Award Winners Are Announced
(© Focus Features)
The 2009 Spirit Awards, which celebrate achievement in Independent Film, were given out on Saturday, February 21 in Los Angeles.
The Wrestler was named Best Film, and Mickey Rourke won as Best Actor for his portrayal of the title role. Other acting awards went to Melissa Leo for Frozen River, James Franco for Milk, and Penelope Cruz for Vicky Cristina Barcelona. The latter film also earned Woody Allen a Best Screenplay award.
In addition, The Robert Altman Award was given to Synechdoche, New York, which recognizes director Charlie Kaufman, casting director Jeanne McCarthy, and the film’s ensemble cast, which includes Hope Davis, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Catherine Keener, Samantha Morton, Tom Noonan, Emily Watson, Dianne Wiest, and Michelle Williams.
