The red carpet at the Spirit Awards Show was a sandy blue to match the Santa Monica ocean-front location. The stars came out in large numbers to honor the finest independent films and filmmakers.

Here's a short list of who we talked to and who we saw:

Dawn Hudson, Executive Director Film Independent; Pedro Castaneda Nominated for Best Male Lead: August Evening; Chris Eksa, Writer Director WINNER! John Cassavettes Award: August Evening; Illeana Douglas, Actress; Steve Zahn Nominated Best Supporting Male: Rescue Dawn; Frank Langella, Nominated Best Male Lead: Starting Out in the Evening; Jeffrey Blitz, Writer Director, Nominated Best First Feature & Screenplay: Rocket Science; Anna Kendrick, Actress, Nominated Best Supporting Female: Rocket Science; The Whitest Kids U' Know Comedy Troupe; Kelly Masterson, Writer Nominated Best First Screenplay:Before the Devil Knows You're Dead; Jeff Nichols, Writer Director Nominated John Cassavetes Award: Shot Gun Stories; Kene Holliday, Actor Nominated for Best Supporting Male: Great World of Sound; Metal Skool rock band; Ed Begley Jr., Actor; Tang Wei, Actress Nominated Best Female Lead: Lust, Caution; Bruce Greenwood, Actor I'm Not There; Ronald Harwood, Writer Nominated Best Screenplay: The Diving Bell and the Butterfly; Kate Beckinsale, Actress; Fisher Stevens, Producer WINNER! Best Documentary: Crazy Love; Keri Russell, Actress Nominated for Best Screenplay: Waitress; Sienna Miller, ctress, Nominated for Best Female Lead: Interview; Matt Dillon, Actor; Emmanuelle Seigner, Actress; Josh Hartnett, Actor; Rainn Wilson, Actor, Official Host 2008 Independent Spirit Awards; David Alan Grier, Actor; Julian Schnabel, Artist Director  WINNER! Best Director: The Diving Bell and the Butterfly; Marisa Tomei, Actress, Nominated Best Supporting Female: Before the Devil Knows You're Dead; Patricia Clarkson, Actress; Forest Whitaker, Actor and wife Keisha Whitaker, Actress; Zach Braff, Actor; Steve Buscemi, Actor; Jason Bateman, Actor: Juno; Jason Reitman, Director WINNER! Best Feature, Nominated Best Director: Juno; Ivan Reitman, Director; Don Cheadle, Actor, Nominated Best Male Lead: Talk to Me; Colin Firth, Actor; Zoe Saldana, Actress; Kate Blanchett, Actress Nominated Best Supporting Female: I'm Not There; Angelina Jolie, Actress Nominated Best Female Lead: A Mighty Heart; & Brad Pitt, Actor.

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