"SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK' SWEEPS THE INDEPENDENT SPIRIT FILM AWARDS

Director David O. Russell and his quirky romantic-comedy, "Silver Linings Playbook" made a big impression at this year's Independent Spirit Awards as it won four of the major awards including Best Feature. Although the rules state that for a film to qualify, it must not cost more than twenty million dollars to produce and "Playbook" actually cost twenty-one million but the jury can bend that rule at their discretion. Some of my other favs from the previous year won which include "The Perks of Being a Wallflower" for Best First Feature and the amazing performances of Helen Hunt and John Hawkes (who was robbed of an Oscar nomination) for their work in "The Sessions".

Here is the complete list of winners:

Best Feature: "Silver Linings Playbook"
Best Director: David O. Russell, "Silver Linings Playbook"
Best Screenplay: David O. Russell, "Silver Linings Playbook"
Best Female Lead: Jennifer Lawrence, "Silver Linings Playbook"
Best Male Lead: John Hawkes, "The Sessions"
Best Supporting Female: Helen Hunt, "The Sessions"
Best Supporting Male: Matthew McConaughey, "Magic Mike"
Best First Feature: "The Perks of Being a Wallflower"
Best First Screenplay: Derek Connolly, "Safety Not Guaranteed"



Best Cinematography: Ben Richardson, "Beasts of the Southern Wild"
Best Documentary: "The Invisible War"



Best International Film: "Amour," Michael Haneke
John Cassavetes Award (Given to the best feature made for under $500,000): "Middle of Nowhere"
Robert Altman Award (Given to one film's director, casting director, and its ensemble cast): "Starlet" Director: Sean Baker Casting Director: Julia Kim Ensemble Cast: Dree Hemingway, Besedka Johnson, Karren Karagulian, Stella Maeve, James Ransone



Piaget Producers Award: "Stones in the Sun," Mynette Louie
Someone to Watch Award: "Gimme the Loot," Adam Leon
Stella Artois Truer Than Fiction Award: "The Waiting Room," Peter Nicks
Jameson Find Your Audience Award: "Breakfast With Curtis," Laura Colella