The 17th Independent Spirit Awards, honoring the best in independent filmmaking for 2001, were announced on March 23, 2002. It was hosted by John Waters.
Christopher Nolan, Best Director and Screenplay winner
Tom Wilkinson, Best Male Lead winner
Sissy Spacek, Best Female Lead winner
Steve Buscemi, Best Supporting Male winner
The Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female was an award presented annually by Film Independent. It is given in honor of an actress who has delivered an absolutely outstanding performance
Angelica Huston won for The Dead (1987).
Sheryl Lee Ralph won for To Sleep with Anger (1990).
Alfre Woodard won for Passion Fish (1992).
Dianne Wiest won for Bullets over Broadway (1994).