MAIN Arts & Culture Movies 2009 Spirit Awards

The Spirit Awards, formerly known as the Independent Spirit Awards, gives proper tribute to films produced on "shoestring" budgets.

Compared to the usual multi-million blockbuster, films in contention must come in under a paltry $20 million.

The Spirit Award nominations traditionally kick off a bevy of nominee announcements - such as the much more highly-awaited Golden Globes and Oscars. But they have in the recent past consistently prove that the indie Spirit Awards can be a harbinger what's to come.

Below, see the complete list of winners, and around the Web, learn more about the Spirit Awards at top sites featuring the latest news and predictions, related pictures and video clips, nominee profiles and complete TV schedule ...

Film Independent - The official sponsors of the Spirit Awards and the Los Angeles Film Festival with a searchable database of all past nominees and winners, pictures, video clips and trailers from 2007 nominees.

IFC - Spirit Awards - The official cable channel with TV schedule, a full list of nominees, plus official rules and entry details on the Short Film Contest.

Independent Spirit Awards - Wikipedia entry with brief details and Sprit Awards trivia with a complete list of Best Feature winners dating back to 1986.

Independent Spirit Awards - The Envelope.com - LA Times reports, pictures and feature stories on nominees and past winners, show details and related forum posts.

2009 Spirit Awards Winners

Best Feature
The Wrestler

Best Director
Tom McCarthy, The Visitor

Best Screenplay
Woody Allen, Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Best First Feature
Synecdoche, New York

Best First Screenplay
Dustin Lance Black, Milk

John Cassavetes Award (For
the Best Feature made for
under $500,000)
In Search of a Midnight Kiss

Best Supporting Female
Penelope Cruz Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Best Supporting Male
James Franco Milk

Best Female Lead
Melissa Leo, Frozen River

Best Male Lead
Mickey Rourke, The Wrestler

Best Cinematography
Maryse Alberti. The Wrestler

Best Foreign Film
The Class

Best Documentary
Man on Wire

also see -> Golden Globes | Oscar Awards | Sundance

Tribeca Film Festival