“Far From Heaven” Sweeps 2003 Independent Spirit Awards
by Eugene Hernandez and Brian Brooks
![]() Dennis Quaid, Ed Lachman, Todd Haynes, Christine Vachon, and Julianne Moore, celebrating their five Spirit Award wins for “Far From Heaven.”
Brian Brooks/indieWIRE |
The Independent Spirit Awards were presented in Santa Monica, CA today by the Independent Feature Project/Los Angeles. “Far From Heaven,” the latest film from Todd Haynes, won five awards at the ceremony. The annual event, held in a tent on the beach, honors the best independent films of the year on the eve of the annual Academy Awards. Eugene Hernandez and Brian Brooks report.
The complete list of 2003 IFP Independent Spirit Award Winners follows:
BEST FEATURE (Award given to the Producer)
“Far From Heaven,” Producers: Jody Patton, Christine Vachon
BEST DIRECTOR:
Todd Haynes, “Far From Heaven”
BEST SCREENPLAY
“The Good Girl,” Mike White
BEST FIRST FEATURE (Award given to the Director)
“The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys,” Director: Peter Care
BEST FIRST SCREENPLAY
“Secretary,” Erin Cressida Wilson
JOHN CASSAVETES AWARD (Given to the best feature made for under $500,000)
“Personal Velocity,” Director/Writer: Rebecca Miller
Producers: Alexis Alexanian, Lemore Syvan, Gary Winick
BEST DEBUT PERFORMANCE (Actors in their first significant role in a
feature film)
Nia Vardalos, “My Big Fat Greek Wedding”
BEST SUPPORTING FEMALE
Emily Mortimer, “Lovely & Amazing”
BEST SUPPORTING MALE
Dennis Quaid, “Far From Heaven”
BEST FEMALE LEAD
Julianne Moore, “Far From Heaven”
BEST MALE LEAD
Derek Luke, “Antwone Fisher”
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Far From Heaven, “Edward Lachman”
BEST FOREIGN FILM (Award given to the Director)
“Y Tu Mama Tambien” – Mexico Director: Alfonso CuarÛn
BEST DOCUMENTARY (Award given to the Director)
“Bowling for Columbine,” Director: Michael Moore
This year’s Nominating Committee (for primary awards) was chaired by
writer/director Bill Condon. The 14 person committee included
cinematographer John Bailey, documentarian Randy Barbato, film
programmer Dennis Bartok, writer/director Lisa Cholodenko,
casting director Aisha Coley, IFP/Los Angeles Executive Director
Dawn Hudson, producer Jeff Kleeman, writer/director Karyn
Kusama, producer Gail Mutrux, writer Jose Rivera, actor
Michelle Rodriguez, film critic Kenneth Turan, and actor
Isaiah Washington.
SPECIAL PRIZES:
The winner of the 2003 Turning Leaf Coastal Reserve Someone to Watch Award
is:
Przemyslaw Reut, director of “Paradox Lake”
[Turning Leaf Coastal Reserve Someone to Watch Award Nominating Committee:
Manohla Dargis (Chair), Wesley Morris, Jytte Jensen, Shari Frilot, Ryan
Werner]
The winner of the 2003 DIRECTV / IFC Truer Than Fiction Award is:
Jennifer Dworkin for “Love & Diane”
[DIRECTV / IFC Truer Than Fiction Award Nominating Committee: Brian Gordon
(Chair), Eugene Hernandez, Deann Borshay Liem, Diane Weyermann, Mike
Maggiore]
The winner of the 2003 Motorola Producers Award is:
Effie T. Brown, producer of “Real Women Have Curves” and “Stranger Inside”
[Motorola Producers Award Nominating Committee: Peter Broderick (Chair),
Diana E. Williams, Andrea Sperling, Susan Stover, Scott Macaulay]
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