Among this year Film Independent’s Spirit Awards winners is the comedy “Juno” winning the prize for best feature at the Santa Monica ceremony. Juno claimed three of the five awards, Ellen Page who stars in the movie, also earned the best lead actress statuette, while writer Diablo Cody took home the award for best first screenplay.
Philip Seymour Hoffman, was also honored with the prize for best lead actor for his work in “The Savages,” along with Cate Blanchett, who took home the statuette for best supporting actress for playing music icon Bob Dylan in “I’m Not There.”
Film Independent’s Spirit Award gala was hosted by actor Rainn Wilson, and the event belonged to the memory of late actor Heath Ledger, who was honored with tributes from his I’m Not There director Todd Haynes and co-star Cate Blanchett, who dedicated her Best Supporting Actress prize to the actor.
The complete list of 2008 Film Independent’s Spirit Award winners is as follows:
Best Feature: Juno
Best Director: Julian Schnabel, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
Best First Feature: The Lookout
Best Screenplay: Tamara Jenkins, The Savages
Best First Screenplay: Diablo Cody, Juno
Best Female Lead: Ellen Page, Juno
Best Male Lead: Philip Seymour Hoffman, The Savages
Best Supporting Female: Cate Blanchett, I’m Not There
Best Supporting Male: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Talk To Me
Best Documentary: Crazy Love
Best Foreign Language Film: Once
Robert Altman Award: Director Todd Haynes and the ensemble cast of I’m Not There
John Cassavetes Award: Chris Eska, August Evening
Someone To Watch Award: Ramin Bahrani, Chop Shop
Truer Than Fiction Award: Laura Dunn, The Unforeseen
Producers Award: Neil Kopp, Paranoid Park and Old Joy
Best Cinematography: Janusz Kaminski, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
