2009 Independent Spirit Award Winners Announced

Airdate : 2/24/2009

On the last weekend of a very busy awards show season, many in the film industry gathered together for the Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica, California. The smaller awards show, which honors this year's achievements in independent film, was held the night before the 81st Annual Academy Awards®.

The comeback king, Mickey Rourke, who is also nominated for an Oscar® for his leading performance in The Wrestler, was awarded one of the evening's top honors in the Best Actor category. Leading actress Melissa Leo from Frozen River and supporting actress Penélope Cruz from Vicky Cristina Barcelona were also recognized at the Spirit Awards. Both women have also been nominated for Academy Awards® for their roles. Taking home the trophy for Best Supporting Actor was James Franco, who portrayed Sean Penn's love interest in the film Milk.

For a full list of the 2009 Independent Spirit Award winners, see below.

Best Feature
The Wrestler, Darren Aronofsky, Scott Franklin

Best Director
Tom McCarthy, The Visitor

Best First Feature
Synecdoche, New York, Charlie Kaufman

Best First Screenplay
Dustin Lance Black, Milk

Best Supporting Female
Penélope 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, Laurent Cantet

Best Documentary
Man on Wire, James Marsh

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