The 2019 Independent Spirit Awards took place on a beach in Santa Monica, California on Saturday, February 24. The awards honoring low-budget films are the final major awards season ceremony held ahead of the Oscars on Sunday. As the excitement builds up for Oscars, it was brilliant to see some films that the Academy Awards may not have recognised receive acknowledgment at the Spirit Awards 2019. The big winner of the night turned out to be director Barry Jenkins who not only bagged the Best Director award but also won the Best Feature for his film If Beale Street Could Talk.

Among the actors, Glenn Close took home the spirit award for her performance in The Wife whereas Ethan Hawke won Best Actor for his role in First Reformed. While the actor was not in attendance, his co-star Amanda Seyfried received the award on his behalf.

The Spirit Awards are chosen by the Film Independent’s 6200 members and an anonymous committee votes on the nominations. The eligibility rules require that movies be produced in the U.S. at a budget lesser than $20 million. Oscars 2019 Live Streaming Online in IST: Watch Live Telecast of 91st Academy Awards Red Carpet 5.30 AM Onwards and Main Ceremony 6.30 AM In India.

Check out the complete winners list of Independent Spirit Awards 2019:

Best feature - If Beale Street Could Talk

Best female lead - Glenn Close, The Wife

Best male lead - Ethan Hawke, First Reformed

Best supporting female - Regina King, If Beale Street Could Talk

Best supporting male - Richard E. Grant, Can You Ever Forgive Me?

Best director - Barry Jenkins, If Beale Street Could Talk

Best first feature - Sorry to Bother You

Best screenplay - Nicole Holofcener and Jeff Whitty, Can You Ever Forgive Me?

Best first screenplay - Bo Burnham, Eighth Grade

Robert Altman Award - Suspiria

Best documentary - Won't You Be My Neighbour?

Best international film - Roma

While most of the nominees in the Spirit Awards list were snubbed by the Oscars 2019, the winner of Best International film at Spirit Awards 2019, Roma has been one of the big contenders at the Academy Awards 2019. It will be interesting to see if the film bags an Oscar too. The 91st Academy Awards will be streamed in India at 6.30 AM IST on Star Movies and HotStar.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 24, 2019 04:34 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).