Moonlight wins big at Independent Spirit Awards

26 February 2017

'Moonlight' was the big winner at the Film Independent Spirit Awards on Saturday (25.02.17).

Moonlight's Naomie Harris

The coming-of-age drama about a black gay man in Miami, took home awards for Best Feature, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Editing and the Robert Altman award, which is presented to the entire cast, casting director and director.

'Moonlight' actress Naomie Harris said the movie's success was down to people needing to feel a "connection".

She explained: "We're all yearning to connect, and I think in a society where we have so much technology that makes us feel as though we're connected, but it's not really about true connection. It's not heartfelt connection.

"And that's what we're all longing for, and I think that, in Moonlight, is what's demonstrated."

Isabelle Huppert won Best Female Lead for 'Elle', while Casey Affleck won Best Male Lead for 'Manchester by the Sea' and he used his speech to lash out at President Donald Trump's administration.

He said: "The policies of this administration are abhorrent and they will not last. They're really un-American.

"I know this feels preachy and boring and I'm preaching to the choir but I'm just lending my little voice to the chorus here."

Hosts Nick Kroll and John Mulaney started proceedings with a monologue which slammed President Trump, White House chief strategist Steve Bannon, and Mel Gibson, who is nominated for Best Director for 'Hacksaw Ridge' this year.

Nick said: "We like to think of these awards as the ones without Mel Gibson. People wondered, 'How long would it take Hollywood to forgive someone for anti-Semitic, racist hate speech?' The answer? Eight years."

John added: "So look out for the 2024 Oscars when the Jean Hersholt humanitarian award goes to Mr. Steve Bannon.

"Hey, Trump -- you and Robert Durst are both rich sociopaths from New York real estate empires. Yet, somehow Robert Durst is more likable."

The pair also joked that their speech would have zero impact, with John saying: "Bear in mind we are on IFC and these are the Spirit Awards, so in terms of impact you could give your speech directly in the camera or you can whisper it to yourself in the bathroom."

Nick added: "And no, conservatives, we're not in a bubble, okay? We are in a tent, filled with fringe artists on a California beach. If this room leaned any further to the left, we would literally topple into the Pacific Ocean."

Film Independent Spirit Awards Winners 2017

Best Feature: 'Moonlight'

Best Male Lead: Casey Affleck, 'Manchester by the Sea'

Best Female Lead: Isabelle Huppert, 'Elle'

Best Supporting Female: Molly Shannon, 'Other People'

Best Supporting Male: Ben Foster, 'Hell or High Water'

Best Director: Barry Jenkins, 'Moonlight'

Best International Film: 'Toni Erdmann'

Best Screenplay: 'Moonlight'

Best First Screenplay: 'The Witch'

Best Cinematography: 'Moonlight'

Best First Feature: 'The Witch'