March 1 -- Independent Spirit (summary) - 20 Feet from Stardom wins as Documentary

from USA TODAY reporting of Film Independent sponsored event (Los Angeles) -- Claudia Puig, reporter = 12 Years a Slave was the big winner, nabbing five awards at The Independent Spirit Award Ceremony, including best feature. Top acting honors went to Cate Blanchett for Blue Jasmine and Matthew McConaughey for Dallas Buyers Club. The best supporting actress trophy was a fabulous 31st birthday present for Lupita Nyong'o, who won for portraying a brutalized slave in 12 Years a Slave. She dedicated her award to her mother. "That beautiful woman drove me to rehearsals every day after school," said Nyong'o. "Your love has driven me this far." She also thanked 12 Years co-star Chiwetel Ejiofor: "Your fortitude was our salvation." Cate Blanchett raked in yet another award, winning best actress for her portrayal of the self-absorbed titular character in Blue Jasmine. Widely expected to win the Oscar Sunday night, Blanchett entered the press room and postponed comment until the best actor winner was announced. "Should we find out who wins?" Blanchett good-naturedly asked reporters. She raised her trophy when she heard it was McConaughey and watched his acceptance speech on a backstage TV screen. "Alright, alright, alright," repeated McConaughey, when he got the award, echoing his now famous phrase from the Screen Actors Guild awards show. "It's really been a strong year for independent films. ." For her part, Blanchett joked about a being a "44-year-old woman and still having to have people brush my hair." She spoke more seriously of the "theatricalized sense to Jasmine." She said she was drawn to the Woody Allen film when she saw the others in the cast. "99% of my work had already been done for me," she said. When a huge wind blew through the tent backstage and a downpour pounded against the plastic tent, Blanchett said: "Whew! There's a storm coming. Nice to know you all. If we all die here, it's a service to the film industry." After winning the supporting actor award for Dallas Buyer's Club, Jared Leto, draped in scarves, a black leather jacket and boots, but sans the man bun, thanked, among others, his family, homemade burritos, the inventor of the zipper, Dr. Seuss, the late Philip Seymour Hoffman and the 36 million who have died of AIDS. 12 Years a Slave also won awards for best director (Steve McQueen) best screenplay (John Ridley) and best cinematography (Sean Bobbit). A quartet of back-up singers — Darlene Love, Judith Hill, Merry Clayton and Tata Vega— from 20 Feet from Stardom performed about halfway through the ceremony. Nominated for both an Independent Spirit and an Oscar, the film won the award for best documentary film. http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2014/03/01/independent-spirit-awards/5927509/