The coming-of-age movie takes six awards including Best Feature at the 32nd Annual Film Independent Spirit Awards, while the 'Manchester by the Sea' actor brings home the best actor trophy.
- Feb 27, 2017
AceShowbiz - Barry Jenkins' "Moonlight" made a clean sweep at the 32nd Annual Film Independent Spirit Awards taking place on Saturday, February 25 in Santa Monica, California. The coming-of-age tale won every award it was nominated, including the top honor of Best Feature.
The Mahershala Ali-starring movie was tied with Andrea Arnolds's "American Honey" which also nabbed six trophies. "Moonlight" won Best Director for Jenkins, Best Editing for Joi McMillon and Nat Sanders, Best Cinematography for James Laxton, as well as Best Screenplay for Jenkins and playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney. The movie's cast also received the Robert Altman Award for the Best Ensemble.
In his speech, Jenkins dedicated his win to "anyone who has on the call sheet for those 25 hot-a** days in Miami." Ali went on to win Best Supporting Actor nod for his performance in the movie at the 2017 Academy Awards which was held on Sunday.
Back at the Independent Spirit Awards, Casey Affleck won Best Actor award for his performance in "Manchester by the Sea". The Best Actress prize was awarded to Isabelle Huppert from "Elle". Other winners at the award-giving show includes Molly Shannon (Best Supporting Female) for her performance in "Other People" and "Hell or High Water" star Ben Foster (Best Supporting Male).
Hosted by Nick Kroll and John Mulaney, the show also awarded several awards to movies far outside the Oscar candidates. Robert Egger's "The Witch" took both Best First Feature and Best First Screenplay. Meanwhile, Ezra Edelman's "O.J.: Made in America" won best documentary.
- Best Feature: "Moonlight"
- Best Director: Barry Jenkins, "Moonlight"
- Best Male Lead: Casey Affleck, "Manchester by the Sea"
- Best Female Lead: Isabelle Huppert, "Elle"
- Best Supporting Female: Molly Shannon, "mOther People%"
- Best Supporting Male: Ben Foster, "Hell or High Water"
- Best First Feature: "The Witch"
- Best Documentary: "O.J.: Made in America"
- Best Screenplay: Barry Jenkins (story by Tarell Alvin McCraney), "Moonlight"
- Best First Screenplay: Robbert Eggers, "The Witch"
- Best Cinematography: James Laxton, "Moonlight"
- Best Editing: Joi McMillon, Nat Sanders, "Moonlight"
- Best International Film: "Toni Erdmann"
- John Cassavetes Award (Best Feature Under $500,000: "Spa Night"
- Robert Altman Award (Best Ensemble): "Moonlight"
