Michael Keaton won the 2015 Independent Spirit Award for best male lead.
The Birdman star beat out fellow nominees André Benjamin, Jake Gyllenhaal, John Lithgow and David Oyelowo to take home the honor.
Keaton accepted the award from presenters Jessica Chastain and Andy Samberg, marveling at how the award looks like a bird. He was seen high-fiving producer John Lesher and director Alejandro G. Inarritu on his way to the stage.
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He said of the Alejandro G. Inarritu-directed film, “This is bold cinema. This is a game changer. I am really, really, really, really fortunate and blessed to be a part of something this bold…I am unbelievably grateful for this.”
Earlier in his speech, Keaton talked about the plethora of interviews and picture-taking and discussions that occur during awards season.
“I think we’d all be a bit remiss if we didn’t take a moment to thank Narcissus right now,” the actor joked. “He doesn’t get enough of a shout-out. The award, that mirror thing, is a genius.”
He also thanked his colleagues on the film as well as the companies behind it, New Regency and Fox Searchlight. And he took a moment to praise the “fun” show of the Spirit Awards and the “really funny” Birdman-inspired opening, joking that he saw Inarritu thinking he might have miscast his film.
The Independent Spirit Awards exclusively honors independent films, bringing together top Hollywood talent and independent filmmakers. Fred Armisen and Kristen Bell co-hosted the 30th annual event, which was broadcast live on IFC.
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