Independent Spirit Awards: James Franco and Natalie Portman win for acting; “Kids Are All right” wins for screenplay!

The Independent Spirit Awards were presented yesterday in Santa Monica with many of this year’s Oscar nominees in contention.

Black Swan was the event’s big winner with wins best picture, best actress for Natalie Portman and director for Darren Aronofsky.

James Franco, an Oscar nominee for 127 Hours who is certain to lose to Colin Firth today, took the best actor prize. He no doubt had to dash over from Oscar rehearsals (he co-hosts today with Anne Hathaway!).

I am thrilled that Lisa Cholodenko and writer Stuart Blumberg (pictured, below), won of the best screenplay award for The Kids Are All Right – especially since they are not favored to win the Oscar. Cholodenko directed this superb film which is also nominated for best picture.

Other Spirit Award winners:

BEST SUPPORTING FEMALE
Dale Dickey ~ Winter’s Bone

BEST SUPPORTING MALE
John Hawkes ~ Winter’s Bone

BEST FIRST FEATURE
Get Low

BEST FIRST SCREENPLAY
Lena Dunham ~ Tiny Furniture

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Matthew Libatique ~ Black Swan

BEST DOCUMENTARY
Exit Through The Gift Shop

BEST FOREIGN FILM
The King’s Speech

ROBERT ALTMAN AWARD
Please Give

JOHN CASSAVETES AWARD
Daddy Longlegs

SOMEONE TO WATCH AWARD
Mike Ott ~ Littlerock

EMERGING PRODUCERS AWARD
Anish Savjani ~ Meek’s Cutoff

TRUER THAN FICTION AWARD
Jeff Malmberg ~ Marwencol