The 2017 Independent Spirit Awards will air today beginning at 5:00 p.m. EST — and we’ll keep you updated with all of the winners as they come in!
In the years past, the Independent Spirit Awards have been Hollywood’s way of honoring the “spirit” of independent film-making. Today, however, many in the film and entertainment industry look at these awards as a “preview” for what the Oscars will offer the next night.
For the past three years, many Independent Spirit Awards winners — like 12 Years A Slave — have went on to win the Academy Awards the next night. Will the same thing happen tonight?
According to The Hollywood Reporter, while there are a few similarities between tonight’s Independent Spirit Awards and tomorrow night’s Oscars, there’s no guarantee that those who will win tonight will also win tomorrow night.
For example, the Casey Affleck-led vehicle Manchester by the Sea — produced by Amazon Studios — has five nominations, but it has more nominations tomorrow night. Likewise, Moonlight — which has been an independent favorite all year long — has been a critical darling, and is looking good to win some awards tonight. However, it’s facing some stiff competition tomorrow night, especially from La La Land.
Finally, it’s important to remember that there will be some awards that are completely unique to the Independent Spirit Awards, and movies may be honored for something completely different altogether.
For example, the aforementioned Moonlight is up for the unique Best Ensemble Award, even though its actors haven’t been individually nominated for any awards. The Academy Awards almost exclusively honors actors individually, and doesn’t have anything equal to an Ensemble Award. As such, it will be hard to determine if a win in this category is a predictor for a win in a similar category tomorrow night.
This page will be updated, live, with all of the winners of the Independent Spirit Awards as they come in.
UPDATE: 5:02 p.m.: The Robert Altman Award has been given to Moonlight.
5:16 p.m.: Ben Foster takes home the Best Supporting Actor award for Hell or High Water.
5:22 p.m.: Funny or Die announces that they will be broadcasting live from the Independent Spirit Awards on their Snapchat.
Check out @funnyordie on IG for VIPP coverage from the #SpiritAwards bathrooms 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/grd4NIXL51
— Film Independent (@filmindependent) February 25, 2017
5:51 p.m.: The following awards were handed out:
Check out our favorite #SpiritAwards moments from year's past! What are you loving about this year's @IFC broadcast? https://t.co/2EQSA9TqnE
— Film Independent (@filmindependent) February 25, 2017
6:00 p.m.: Barry Jenkins and Terrell Alvin McRaney won Best Screenplay for Moonlight.
6:11 p.m.: Toni Erdmann took home the Independent Spirit Awards for Best International Film.
6:17 p.m.: Andy Samberg performed a completely unnecessary, and unfunny, Eddie Vedder-style skit in tribute to actors that are “not dead.”
6:22 p.m.: Nanfu Wong was announced as the winner of the Truer than Fiction Award.
"We're all human beings...and we will find that through art." - Mary Sweeney, Chair of the @FilmIndependent #SpiritAwards #SmartGirlsAsk pic.twitter.com/pgRDktXKIH
— AmyPoehlerSmartGirls (@smrtgrls) February 25, 2017
6:25 p.m.: Moonlight accepts the Independent Spirit Awards’ Robert Altman Award.
6:38 p.m.: Molly Shannon wins the Best Supporting Actress Award for her part in Other People.
6:47 p.m.: Barry Jenkins takes home the Best Director Award for Moonlight.
Congrats again to Piaget Producers Award winner Jordana Mollick! #SpiritAwards
— Film Independent (@filmindependent) February 25, 2017
6:57 p.m.: Isabelle Huppert takes home the Best Female Lead Award for Elle.
7:07 p.m.: Casey Affleck wins for Best Male Lead Actor in Manchester by the Sea.
7:18 p.m.: Moonlight takes home the top Independent Spirit Awards — it has made history by having the “most wins this decade” — and took home the Best Feature Award.
Next: Best of the Independent Spirit Awards Red Carpet
What did you think of this year’s Independent Spirit Awards?