June 3, 2025 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

Journalism Drama ‘Spotlight’ Wins Big at Independent Spirit Awards

Actor Matthew McConaughey attends the 2013 Film Independent Spirit Awards at Santa Monica Beach on February 23, 2013 in Santa Monica, California.  (Thinkstock: Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)
Actor Matthew McConaughey attends the 2013 Film Independent Spirit Awards at Santa Monica Beach on February 23, 2013 in Santa Monica, California. (Thinkstock: Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)

“Spotlight” was the big winner at Saturday night’s 2016 Film Independent Spirit Awards, which honor the best in independent film.

The journalism drama about a team of reporters investigating sexual abuse of children by priests in Boston won best feature, best screenplay, best editing, best director for Tom McCarthy and the Robert Altman Award, given to one film’s director, casting director and ensemble cast.

“Room,” about a mother and young son held captive in a cramped room for years, won two awards — best female lead for Oscar front-runner Brie Larson and best first screenplay for Emma Donoghue.

The African war drama “Beasts of No Nation” had two winners, best male lead for young Abraham Atta and best supporting male for Idris Elba.

The Spirit Awards ceremony, held in Santa Monica, were hosted by Kate McKinnon and Kumail Nanjiani.

Here is a list of winners:

BEST FEATURE (Award given to the Producer. Executive Producers are not awarded.)

— “Spotlight,” Producers: Blye Pagon Faust, Steve Golin, Nicole Rocklin, Michael Sugar

BEST FIRST FEATURE – Award given to the director and producer.

— “The Diary of a Teenage Girl,” Director: Marielle Heller; Producers: Miranda Bailey, Anne Carey, Bert Hamelinck, Madeline Samit

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.

— “Krisha,” Writer/Director/Producer: Trey Edward Shults; Producers: Justin R. Chan, Chase Joliet, Wilson Smith

BEST DIRECTOR

— Tom McCarthy, “Spotlight”

BEST SCREENPLAY

— Tom McCarthy & Josh Singer, “Spotlight”

BEST FIRST SCREENPLAY

— Emma Donoghue, “Room”

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

— Ed Lachman, “Carol”

BEST EDITING

— Tom McArdle, “Spotlight”

BEST FEMALE LEAD

— Brie Larson, “Room”

BEST MALE LEAD

— Abraham Attah, “Beasts of No Nation”

BEST SUPPORTING FEMALE

— Mya Taylor, “Tangerine”

BEST SUPPORTING MALE

— Idris Elba, “Beasts of No Nation”

ROBERT ALTMAN AWARD  Given to one film’s director, casting director and ensemble cast.

— “Spotlight,” Director: Tom McCarthy; Casting Directors: Kerry Barden and Paul Schnee; Ensemble Cast: Billy Crudup, Paul Guilfoyle, Neal Huff, Brian d’Arcy James, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Mark Ruffalo, Liev Schreiber, Jamey Sheridan, John Slattery, Stanley Tucci

BEST DOCUMENTARY – Award given to the director and producer.

— “The Look of Silence,” Director: Joshua Oppenheimer; Producer: Signe Byrge Srensen

BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM – Award given to the director.

— “Son of Saul” (Hungary), Director: Laszlo Nemes

Related Posts

A Season of Gratitude: After One Year in Business, Urban Jungle Continues Making its Mark

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

Over the last year, Urban Jungle, an indoor and tropical plants nursery, has continued its mission to cultivate a place...

The soul’s greatest hits

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

From ‘Ave Maria’ to ‘Hallelujah Chorus’ and ‘Ode to Joy,” a Santa Monica concert raising funds to help fire victims...

LAPD Increases Security at Jewish Sites Following Colorado Flamethrower Attack

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

Officials Ramp Up Patrols and Plan Emergency Response as Shavuot Concludes. Security outside Jewish institutions in Los Angeles has been...

The Peabody Awards Celebrate Bold Storytelling and Social Impact at Beverly Hills Gala

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

Honorees Including Baby Reindeer, Shōgun, and The Only Doctor at In-Person Ceremony The Peabody Awards held their awards ceremony Sunday...

Chamber Music Palisades Presents an Afternoon of Beethoven, Brahms, Debussy, and More

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

Brentwood Hosts Free Classical Concert with LA Philharmonic Greats Chamber Music Palisades will present a free community concert on Saturday,...

Massive Fire Engulfs Auto Shop, Shuts Down 10 Freeway Eastbound Lanes

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

Explosions, Thick Smoke, and Downed Power Lines Disrupt Traffic in Palms A fast-moving fire broke out Sunday behind a commercial...

Alpine Floor & Home: A Legacy of Quality Since 1968

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

Founded in 1968 with a single location, Alpine Floor & Home began as a humble family business with a clear...

Chin Chin to Close West Hollywood Location After 45 Years of Service

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

Iconic Sunset Plaza Restaurant Announces Final Day of Operations Chin Chin, the iconic Chinese eatery that has been a fixture...

LACMA’s $700M David Geffen Galleries to Open in 2026

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

New Structure Will Replace Original Midcentury Buildings Construction crews are entering the final stretch on the David Geffen Galleries, a...

Criterion Mobile Closet Arrives in L.A. for Two-Day Stop at Santa Monica’s Aero Theatre

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

More Than 1,000 Classic Titles June 6–7 During American Cinematheque’s Bleak Week  Following its successful appearances at SXSW and Vidiots...

Lane Closures Return to PCH in Malibu for Fire Recovery and Emergency Repairs

June 1, 2025

June 1, 2025

Traffic Will Be Impacted as Caltrans and the USACE Conduct Cleanup  The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has announced updated...

Update: Police Non-Emergency Line Temporarily Down Due to Service Outage in Culver City

June 1, 2025

June 1, 2025

Emergency 9-1-1 Services Remain Active; Alternate Numbers are Available  UPDATE – Monday, June 2 at 7:25 am The Culver City...

Culver City to Frame Iconic Tree with Landmark Sculpture by Charles Gaines

June 1, 2025

June 1, 2025

Acclaimed Conceptual Artist’s Public Artwork Enters Final Phase Culver City is moving forward with the final phase of an ambitious...

Defensible Space, Defined: How A Plus Tree Protects Communities from Wildfire

May 30, 2025

May 30, 2025

In the wildfire-prone landscapes of the Western United States, safeguarding homes and communities requires proactive measures. A Plus Tree, a...

WeHo Pride Weekend Begins and 2025 Icons Announced: Parades, Concerts, and Community Celebration Kicks Off

May 30, 2025

May 30, 2025

Three-Day LGBTQ+ Festival Features Performances by Lizzo, Maren Morris, and Kim Petras West Hollywood is preparing to kick off its...