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Precious Sweeps Awards

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Big win for one of the big films of the year ...

Gritty drama Precious was the big winner at Friday's Independent Spirt Awards, scooping five prizes including the best film award.

The film's stars Gabourey Sidibe and Mo'Nique took the best female lead and best supporting female lead awards respectively at a ceremony in Los Angeles.

Precious writer Geoffrey Fletcher won the best screenplay award, while Lee Daniels scooped best director.

British film An Education, which stars Oscar nominee Carey Mulligan, won best foreign film, while Jeff Bridges was named best actor for his role in Crazy Heart.

Veteran actor Bridges also performed one of the songs from Crazy Heart during the ceremony, which was hosted by Eddie Izzard.

Elsewhere, Woody Harleson was named best supporting actor for his turn in terrorism drama The Messenger and Anvil! The Story of Anvil secured best documentary.