'Silver Linings Playbook' wins Spirit Awards for Best Feature, Actress and Director

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Feb. 23 (UPI) -- "Silver Linings Playbook" scored the Best Feature prize at Saturday's Film Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica, Calif.

The mental illness-themed family dramedy's leading lady, Jennifer Lawrence, was named Best Actress. The movie's writer-director, David O. Russell, picked up the trophies for Best Director and Best Screenplay.

John Hawkes earned the Best Actor honor for his

portrayal of a poet, who is paralyzed from the neck down due to polio and hires a sex surrogate to lose his virginity, in "The Sessions." Helen Hunt took home the Best Supporting Actress statuette for her performance in the role of the surrogate.

Matthew McConaughey was declared Best Supporting Actor for his depiction of an aging stripper in "Magic Mike."

"Beasts of the Southern Wild" took the prize for Best Cinematography, while "The Invisible War" was declared Best Documentary" and "Amour" was voted Best International Film.

Comic actor-writer Andy Samberg served as host of the ceremony, which honored the best in low-budget film for 2012.