Winners of 2016 Spirit Awards Announced, SPOTLIGHT in the Lead

Film Independent has announced the winners for the 31st Independent Spirit Awards, which were held Saturday, February 27 at 2:00pm PT / 5:00pm ET. Read the full list of winners below!

Now in its 31st year, the Film INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS is an annual celebration honoring artist-driven films made with an economy of means by filmmakers whose films embody independence and originality. The Spirit Awards recognizes the achievements of American independent filmmakers and promotes the finest independent films of the year to a wider audience.

The winners of the Spirit Awards are voted upon by Film Independent and IFP Members. Awards are given in the following categories: Best Feature, Best First Feature, Best First Screenplay, Best Director, Best Screenplay, John Cassavetes Award (given to the best feature made for a budget under $500,000), Best Male Lead, Best Female Lead, Best Supporting Male, Best Supporting Female, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best International Film and Best Documentary. The Filmmaker Grants include the Piaget Producers Award, the Kiehl's Someone to Watch Award and the Truer Than Fiction Award. The Film INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS are sponsored by Premier Sponsors Piaget, Bank of America, Heineken, American Airlines, Jaguar and IFC. FIJI Water is the Official Water of the 2016 Spirit Awards. WireImage is the Official Photographer of Film Independent.

See the full list of winners here!

Best Feature: Spotlight

Best Director: Tom McCarthy, 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

Best Cinematography: Ed Lachman, Carol

Best International Film: Son of Saul

Best Screenplay: Tom McCarthy and Josh Singer, Spotlight

Best Documentary: The Look of Silence

Best Editing: Tom McArdle, Spotlight

Best First Feature: Marielle Heller, The Diary of a Teenage Girl

Best First Screenplay: Emma Donoghue, Room

John Cassavetes Award: Krisha

Robert Altman Award: Spotlight

Source: Entertainment Weekly

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