Independent Spirit Awards Names Nominees

'Election,' 'The Limey' Honored

Vanessa Sibbald, Staff Writer
Choosing from over 140 submissions, the nominations for the 15th annual IFP/West Independent Spirit Awards were announced at a reception in the El Rey Theater in Los Angeles.

Announcing the nominations were host Illeana Douglas, along with presenters Isaiah Washington, Brooke Shields, Eric Stoltz, Kevin Pollack, and Forest Whitaker. Reese Witherspoon In Election For Best Feature, the nominees were: "Election," "The Limey," "The Straight Story," "Sugar Town" and "Cookie's Fortune."

A new category -- Best Feature with a budget under $500,000 -- was added this year to recognize independent films. In this category, nominees were: "The Blair Witch Project," "La Ciudad," "Compensation," "Judy Berlin" and "Treasure Island."

Another new category -- Best Feature with a budge over $500,000 -- named: "Being John Malkovich," "Boys Don't Cry," "Three Seasons," "Twin Falls Idaho" and "Xiu Xiu the Sent Down Girl."

Best Director brought honors to Alexander Payne for "Election," Harmony Korine for "julien donkey-boy," Steven Soderbergh for "The Limey," David Lynch for "The Straight Story" and Doug Liman for "Go."

"American Beauty" and "The Insider" -- movies that have gained top honors from the Golden Globes among other award groups, were noticeably absent.

Straight Story

Independent Feature Project/West also announced that Vondie Curtis Hall has been appointed their new President with Michael Helfant serving as the new Vice President for the IFP/West Board of Directors.

Hall, who besides being president of Motor City Films, is an actor-director whose credits include "Chicago Hope," "Crooklyn" and "Eve's Bayou." Hall also wrote and directed the feature film, "GRIDLOCK'd."

The ceremony will be presented on Saturday, Mar. 25 in Santa Monica. The show can also be seen live on The Independent Film Channel. The entire national Independent Feature Project membership (a nationwide base of 9,000 members) is eligible to cast ballots for the winners.

See complete list of nominations

Related Stories:


You May Also Like ...