Actor Bill Murray clowns around after accepting the award for best male lead for his role in "Lost in Translation" at the 2004 IFP Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica, Calif., Feb. 28, 2004. In the background are presenters Naomi Watts and Kevin Bacon. Sofia Coppola's film, in which Murray starred, swept the annual awards.
Actress Charlize Theron, right, escorts director Patty Jenkins to the stage after Jenkins won for best first feature for her work on "Monster" at the 2004 IFP Independent Spirit Awards. Theron won for best female lead in the film. The awards are meant to honor "filmmakers who embody independence and who dare to challenge the status quo."
Actress Agnes Bruckner arrives with Daniel Franzese for the 2004 IFP Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica, Calif. Bruckner was nominated for best female lead for her role in "Blue Car." She lost to Charlize Theron.
Actor Peter Dinklage, nominated for best male lead for his role in "The Station Agent," stands with co-star Patricia Clarkson during 2004 IFP Independent Spirit Awards. Clarkson was nominated for best supporting female for her role in "Pieces of April." Neither won awards but the movie received the John Cassavetes Award for best feature film made for under $500,000.
Tom Cruise, left, honorary chairman of the 2004 IFP Independent Spirit Awards, shares a laugh with actor Kevin Bacon before the start of the show in Santa Monica, Calif., Feb. 28, 2004. Bacon was among the celebrity presenters that included Hilary Swank, Elijah Wood, Lucy Liu, Daryl Hannah, Amanda Peet and Naomi Watts.
British actor Ben Kingsley arrives with wife, Alexandra Christmann, for the 2004 IFP Independent Spirit Awards. Kingsley was nominated for best male lead for his role in "House of Sand and Fog." He lost to Bill Murray but his co-star, Shohreh Aghdashloo, won best actress in a supporting role.
Keisha Castle-Hughes, left, star of the film "Whale Rider" and Sarah Bulger, star of the best feature nominated film "In America," pose before the start of the 2004 IFP Independent Spirit awards. "Whale Rider" was named best foriegn film and "In America" won awards for best supporting actor and best cinematography.
Writer and director Sofia Coppola, left, receives the award from presenter Jennifer Aniston for best screenplay for her work on "Lost in Translation" at the 2004 IFP Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica, Calif. The film also won awards for best feature, best director and best male lead.
South African actress Charlize Theron accepts the award for best female lead for her role in "Monster," at the 2004 IFP Independent Spirit Awards In Santa Monica, Calif., Feb. 28, 2004. The next night, she won a Best Actress Oscar for the same role.
Actor Peter Dinklage gestures as he arrives for the 2004 IFP Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica, Calif., Feb. 28, 2004. Dinklage was nominated for best male lead for his role in "The Station Agent," but lost to Bill Murray of "Lost In Translation."
Film critic Roger Ebert gives a thumbs up as he arrives for the 2004 IFP Independent Spirit Awards on Feb. 28, 2004. This year's ceremony was sponsored by IFC, Entertainment Weekly, DIRECTV, and Bravo; and Turning Leaf Vineyards, Starbucks Coffee Company, and Hewlett-Packard Company.
Actor Judah Friedlander gives a thumbs-up as he arrives for the 2004 IFP Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica, Calif. Friedlander was nominated for best supporting male actor for his role in "American Slendor." The award went to Djimon Hounsou of "In America."
Djimon Hounsou accepts congatulations after winning an award for best supporting male for his role in "In America." The movie also won an award for cinematography.
Actor Peter Sarsgaard and actress Maggie Gyllenhaal enjoy a few moments before the 2004 IFP Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica, Calif., Feb. 28, 2004. Sarsgaard was nominated for best supporting male for his role in "Shattered Glass." Djimon Hounsou won the award.
Director Sofia Coppola accepts the best director award for her work on on "Lost in Translation," from presenter Tom Cruise at the 2004 IFP Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica, Calif. Coppola also won the award for best screenplay at the Oscar Eve ceremony.
Actress Sarah Bolger, left, strikes a pose with sister and co-star, Emma, as they arrive for the 2004 IFP Independent Spirit Awards. Sarah was nominated for best supporting female for her role in "In America." The award went to Shohreh Aghdashloo of "House of Sand and Fog," but "In America" picked up several other awards.
Actress Nikki Reed, right, who won the award for best debut performance for her work on "thirteen," and the film's director, Catherine Hardwicke, arrive for the 2004 IFP Independent Spirit Awards.
Writer and director Sofia Coppola stands up with her father, Francis Ford Coppola, after the film "Lost in Translation" won for best feature film at the 2004 IFP Independent Spirit Awards. Sofia also won awards won for best director and best screenplay.
Director Niki Caro accepts the award with cast members, including Keisha Castle-Hughes, front left, after their film "Whale Rider" won for best foreign film at the 2004 IFP Independent Spirit Awards. The film "21 Grams," ineligible for an award because of its budget, was cited for special distinction.
Actor Bill Murray holds aloft his award for best male lead for his role in "Lost in Translation," at the 2004 IFP Independent Spirit Awards.