The 5th Independent Spirit Awards, honoring the best in independent filmmaking for 1989, were announced on March 24, 1990 at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles. It was hosted by Buck Henry.
Steven Soderbergh, Best Director winner
Matt Dillon, Best Male Lead winner
Andie MacDowell, Best Female Lead winner
Laura San Giacomo, Best Supporting Female winner
The Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead was an award presented annually at the Independent Spirit Awards to honor an actor who has delivered an outstanding lead performance in an independent f
M. Emmet Walsh won for Blood Simple.
James Woods won for Salvador.
Dennis Quaid won for The Big Easy.
Edward James Olmos won for Stand and Deliver.