The Farewell was snubbed at this year’s Oscar race, but that didn’t stop it from winning big at the Independent Spirit Awards. It took home the award for the best feature of the year.
Lulu Wang’s heartfelt drama managed to beat the likes of Clemency, A Hidden Life, Marriage Story, and Uncut Gems to win the top honor at this ceremony. This wasn’t The Farewell’s only major award. Zhao Shu-zhen picked up the best supporting actress trophy.
Uncut Gems was also one of the biggest winners of the night, and it came out victorious in three categories – best director (Josh and Benny Safdie), best male lead (Adam Sandler), and best editing (Ronald Bronstein and Benny Safdie).
The Independent Spirit Awards took place on February 8th at Santa Monica Pier, with Aubrey Plaza serving as a host.
FULL LIST OF WINNERS AT 20020 INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS:
BEST FEATURE
The Farewell
BEST FIRST FEATURE
Booksmart
BEST FEMALE LEAD
Renee Zellweger, Judy
BEST MALE LEAD
Adam Sandler, Uncut Gems
BEST DIRECTOR
Benny and Josh Safdie – Uncut Gems
BEST DOCUMENTARY
American Factory
BEST SUPPORTING MALE
Willem Dafoe, The Lighthouse
BEST SUPPORTING FEMALE
Zhao Shuzhen, The Farewell
BEST SCREENPLAY
Marriage Story, Noah Baumbach
BEST FIRST SCREENPLAY
See You Yesterday,Fredrica Bailey, Stefon Bristol
BEST EDITING
Uncut Gems – Benny Safdie, Ronald Bronstein
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Jarin Blaschke, The Lighthouse
BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM
Parasite,Bong Joon Ho
ROBERT ALTMAN AWARD
Marriage Story
JOHN CASSAVETES AWARD
Give Me Liberty
PRODUCERS AWARD
Mollye Asher
SOMEONE TO WATCH AWARD
Rashaad Ernesto Green, director of Premature
TRUER THAN FICTION AWARD
Nadia Shihab, director of Jabboland
THE BONNIE AWARD
Kelly Reichardt