Photo Coverage: 2009 Independent Film Spirit Awards
By: Eddie Varley Feb. 22, 2009
The Independent Film 2009 Spirit Awards were given out last night Saturday, February 21 in Los Angeles and The Wrestler was a big winner, nabbing Best Film and Best Actor for star Mickey Rourke.
Other acting awards went to Melissa Leo for Best Actress for Frozen River, James Franco won best supporting actor for Milk, while Penelope Cruz snagged a best supporting win for Vicky Cristina Barcelona. Woody Allen earned a Best Screenplay award for the film as well.
Founded in 1984, the awards were originally known as the FINDIE ("Friends of Independents") Awards. In 1986, the awards were renamed the Independent Spirit Awards. It was also the first time our membership voted on the winners.
Over the past 22 years, Film Independent's Spirit Awards has grown into a vanguard event. Held as a luncheon on the beach in Santa Monica, the Awards ceremony brings together the entire film community to celebrate the best of independent film.
In 2005, the producing organization of the Spirit Awards changed its name from IFP/Los Angeles to Film Independent. Although our name has changed, the show, the organization, and our mission remain the same.
Photos by Sara DeBoer/Retna Ltd
Hiam Abbas
Ami Armstrong
Michael Bolton
Margaret Brown
Bryan Cranston
Melonie Diaz
Chiwetel Ejiofor
Jennifer Westfeldt and Jon Hamm
Robyn Hitchcock and his band
Richard Jenkins and wife Sharon r. Frederick
Keisha Castle-Hughes
Ben Kingsley and guest
Ryan Kwanten
Alec Baldwin and Lucy Liu
Mary-Kate Olsen
Adrianne Palicki
Keke Palmer
Jeremy Renner
Alexander Skarsgard
Mena Suvari
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