IFP Spirit Award Winners |

Originally Published: March 2, 2005

Hosted annually on the beach in Santa Monica, the Independent Spirit Awards is a celebration honoring filmmakers of independent vision. Televised in millions of homes and covered internationally, the Independent Spirit Awards program has become the vanguard event in independent film, recognizing the achievements of independent filmmakers and promoting independent film to a wider audience.

The 20th Independent Spirit Awards was held Saturday, February 26, 2005.

Best Feature
Sideways
Produced by Michael London

Best First Feature
Garden State
Directed by Zach Braff
Produced by Pamela Abdy, Gary Gilbert, Dan Halsted, Richard Klubeck

John Cassavetes Award
Mean Creek
Written & Directed by Jacob Aaron Estes
Produced by Susan Johnson, Rick Rosenthal, Hagai Shaham

Best Director
Alexander Payne
Sideways

Best Screenplay
Alexander Payne & Jim Taylor
Sideways

Best First Screenplay
Joshua Martson
Maria Full of Grace

Best Male Lead
Paul Giamatti
Sideways

Best Female Lead
Catalina Sandino Moreno
Maria Full of Grace

Best Supporting Female
Virginia Madsen
Sideways

Best Supporting Male
Thomas Haden Church
Sideways

Best Debut Performance
Rodrigo de la Serna
The Motorcycle Diaries