‘Moonlight,’ ‘The Witch,’ and Molly Shannon Steal the Independent Spirit Awards

Alex Aronson

The evening precluding the Academy Awards gave honor to the year’s top independent films. While it’s uncertain what awards “Moonlight” might bring home on Hollywood’s biggest night – especially in the company of “La La Land” – “Moonlight” was the big winner of Film Independent’s 32nd Independent Spirit Awards, bringing home six statues.

Hosted by Nick Kroll and John Mulaney, the duo proved to be quite charismatic. Not afraid to poke fun at Hollywood, their funniest bit mocked the non-televised technical awards, which gives head-scratching credit to, “that production assistant that somehow drives a Telsa.” Not yet quite on par with Tina Fey and Amy Poehler, the two hosts show promising hope that perhaps they could one day host one of the larger shows together.

Casey Affleck won for Best Actor for “Manchester By The Sea,” giving a speech that became lightly political, reminding everyone that the policies of this administration are temporary. Other big winners  this evening included Ben Foster for Best Supporting Male for “Hell or High Water,” and Isabelle Huppert for Best Actress for “Elle.” Robert Eggers’ period horror film, “The Witch,” also won Best First Feature and Best First Screenplay – making it the only genre film represented at any major awards show this season. Eggers’ next film is a remake of the period-horror classic, “Nosferatu.”

Funny lady and “Saturday Night Live” alum Molly Shannon took home the award for Best Supporting Actress for her dramatic role in “Other People.” At the end of her acceptance speech, a jittery and excited Shannon paid homage to her famous “Saturday Night Live” character Mary Catherine Gallagher. “In this moment, I truly feel like a superstar!” said Shannon. The audience stood in laughter and applause in one of the evening’s best moments.

The biggest winner of the evening, “Moonlight,” took home awards for Best Feature, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Editing and Best Cinematography. The film now holds the Independent Spirit Award’s record for most wins this decade.

Not only did “Moonlight” take home the Best Feature honor, it also received the Robert Altman Award – an honor presented to the ensemble cast, director and casting director of a film by the Film Independent. Kerry Washington gave a touching presentation of the award, commenting on the importance of the film and its refreshing originality.

“It was not only a film we wanted, but it was a film we needed,” said Washington. “It was a film I had never seen before.”

The 32nd Independent Spirit Awards took place Feb. 26 and is available for streaming on IFC.com.