A To Z At The Spirit Awards

A To Z At The Spirit Awards

by Heather Mason

If it isn't over till the fat lady sings, it also isn't over till you get to Z. At least that's what attendees at the 12th Annual Independent Feature Project Spirit Awards found out Saturday as Director Mike Leigh ("Secrets & Lies"") gave a keynote address on the ABC's of filmmaking. Except that instead of three letters, the audience received the alphabet of the industry.

The award ceremony itself was alternately humorous and belabored.
Jennifer Tilly thankfully broke up the forced repartee between
presenters by listing off comparisons of independent film to similar
porno titles. "Manny & Ho", "Streetwalking and Talking", and "On Your
Knees Lounge."

Lending an element of depth to the proceedings was an appearance by
Mohammed Ali and a standing "O" during the Truer than Fiction Award
presentation to "When We Were Kings".

The most frequent visitors to the podium were the folks from the
six-time winner "Fargo" for Best Feature, Director, Actor, Actress,
Screenplay and Cinematography. But the best acceptance speech goes to
Heather Matarazzo, who after receiving Best Debut Performance for
"Welcome To The Dollhouse", simply said, "There are so many people to
thank, that they just know who they are."