“Train Dreams” Takes Top Spirit Awards

The 41st Independent Spirit Awards were announced last night, with Clint Bentley’s “Train Dreams” taking the top honor of Best Film, along with Best Director and Best Cinematography.

Premiering at Sundance last year, the film hit Netflix in November and received critical acclaim along with four Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and screenplay.

It was the night’s big film winner, though “Sorry, Baby” also fared well with Best Screenplay and Best Supporting Performance for Naomi Ackie. Another double winner was Chicago-born filmmaker Alex Russell’s “Lurker” which took the Best First Feature Winner and Best First Screenplay.

Other film winners were Rose Byrne taking Best Lead Performance for “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You,” Kayo Martin’s work in “The Plague” taking Best Breakthrough Performance Winner, “The Perfect Neighbor” winning Best Documentary, “The Secret Agent” winning Best International Film, “The Testament of Ann Lee” snagging Best Editing, and “This Island” taking the John Cassavetes Award

On the TV front, “Adolescence” made a fairly clean sweep – taking Best New Scripted Series along with performance wins for lead (Stephen Graham), supporting (Erin Doherty) and breakthrough (Owen Cooper).

Other TV winners included “Pee-wee as Himself” for Best Non-Scripted Series, and “Chief of War” for Best Ensemble Cast. Former SNL alum Ego Nwodim hosted the show.