The Spirit Awards, considered as the Oscars for Indie films, announced the winners for its 2012 edition.

Best Feature
The Artist – Producer: Thomas Langmann

Best Director
Michel Hazanavicius – The Artist

Best Screenplay
Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon, Jim Rash – The Descendants

Best First Feature
Margin Call – Director: J.C. Chandor, Producers: Robert Ogden Barnum, Michael Benaroya, Neal Dodson, Joe Jenckes, Corey Moosa, Zachary Quinto

Best First Screenplay
Will Reiser – 50/50

John Cassavetes Award
Pariah – Writer/Director: Dee Rees, Producer: Nekisa Cooper

Best Female Lead
Michelle Williams – My Week with Marilyn

Best Male Lead
Jean Dujardin – The Artist

Best Supporting Female
Shailene Woodley – The Descendants

Best Supporting Male
Christopher Plummer – Beginners

Best Cinematography
Guillaume Schiffman – The Artist

Best Documentary
The Interrupters – Director/Producer: Steve James, Producer: Alex Kotlowitz

Best International Film
A Separation (Iran)

Piaget Producers Award
Sophia Lin – Take Shelter

Someone to Watch Award
Mark Jackson – Without

Truer Than Fiction Award
Heather Courtney – Where Soldiers Come From

Robert Altman Award
Margin Call – Director: J.C. Chandor
Casting Director: Tiffany Little Canfield, Bernard Telsey
Ensemble Cast: Penn Badgley, Simon Baker, Paul Bettany, Jeremy Irons, Mary McDonnell, Demi Moore, Zachary Quinto, Kevin Spacey, Stanley Tucci