“Birdman,” the Oscar-nominated dark comedy about a washed-up actor trying to revive his career, will enter Sunday’s awards ceremony flying high, following it’s three-award finish at the 30th annual Film Independent Spirit Awards, presented Saturday in Santa Monica.
“Birdman” was chosen winner in the Best Feature category and star Michael Keaton took home Best Male honors. Emmanuel Lubezki won the film’s third Spirit Award of the day when he was selected best cinematographer.
“Boyhood” (Best Director for Richard Linklater and Best Supporting Female for Patricia Arquette), “Nightcrawler” (Best First Film and Best Screenplay for Dan Gilroy) and “Whiplash” (Best Supporting Male for J.K. Simmons and Best Editing for Tom Cross) each won two categories.
The Best Female Lead nod went Julianne Moore for “Still Alice.”
Moore and Simmons have been sweeping most of the awards in their categories and are favorites heading into tomorrow’s Oscars.
Here is a complete list of winners:
BEST FEATURE
— “Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance).
BEST DIRECTOR
— Richard Linklater, “Boyhood”
BEST SCREENPLAY
— Dan Gilroy, “Nightcrawler”
BEST FIRST FEATURE
— “Nightcrawler,” Director: Dan Gilroy; Producers: Jennifer Fox, Tony Gilroy, Jake Gyllenhaal, David Lancaster, Michel Litvak
BEST FIRST SCREENPLAY
— Justin Simien, “Dear White People”
JOHN CASSAVETES AWARD (Given to the best feature made for under $500,000. Award given to the writer, director and producer; executive producers are not awarded.
— “Land Ho!,” Writers/Directors: Aaron Katz & Martha Stephens; Producers: Christina Jennings, Mynette Louie, Sara Murphy
BEST FEMALE LEAD
— Julianne Moore, “Still Alice”
BEST MALE LEAD
— Michael Keaton, “Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)”
BEST SUPPORTING FEMALE
— Patricia Arquette, “Boyhood”
BEST SUPPORTING MALE
— J.K. Simmons, “Whiplash”
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
— Emmanuel Lubezki, “Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)”BEST EDITING
— Tom Cross, “Whiplash”
BEST DOCUMENTARY (Award given to the director and producer.)
— “CITIZENFOUR,” Director/Producer: Laura Poitras; Producers: Mathilde Bonnefoy, Dirk Wilutzky
BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM (Award given to the director.)
— “Ida,” (Poland); Director: Pawel Pawlikowski
ROBERT ALTMAN AWARD (Given to one film’s director, casting director and ensemble cast.)
— “Inherent Vice,” Director: Paul Thomas Anderson; Casting Director: Cassandra Kulukundis; Ensemble Cast: Josh Brolin, Martin Donovan, Jena Malone, Joanna Newsom, Joaquin Phoenix, Eric Roberts, Maya Rudolph, Martin Short Serena Scott Thomas, Benicio Del Toro, Katherine Waterston, Michael Kenneth Williams, Owen Wilson, Reese Witherspoon
SPECIAL DISTINCTION AWARD
— “Foxcatcher,” Director/Producer: Bennett Miller; Producers: Anthony Bregman, Megan Ellison, Jon Kilik; Writers: E. Max Frye, Dan Futterman; Actors: Steve Carell, Mark Ruffalo, Channing Tatum
18th ANNUAL PIAGET PRODUCERS AWARD – The 18th annual Producers Award, sponsored by Piaget, honors emerging producers who, despite highly limited resources, demonstrate the creativity, tenacity and vision required to produce quality, independent films. The award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant funded by Piaget.
— Chris Ohlson21st
ANNUAL KIEHL’S SOMEONE TO WATCH AWARD – The 21st annual Someone to Watch Award, sponsored by Kiehl’s Since 1851, recognizes a talented filmmaker of singular vision who has not yet received appropriate recognition. The award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant funded by Kiehl’s Since 1851.
— “H.,” Directors: Rania Attieh & Daniel Garcia
20th ANNUAL LENSCRAFTERS TRUER THAN FICTION AWARD – The 20th annual Truer Than Fiction Award, sponsored by LensCrafters is presented to an emerging director of non-fiction features who has not yet received significant recognition. The award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant funded by LensCrafters.
— “The Kill Team,” Director: Dan Krauss
