20th Independent Spirit Awards

The 20th Independent Spirit Awards, honoring the best in independent filmmaking for 2004, were announced on February 26, 2005. It was hosted by Samuel L. Jackson.

John Cassavetes Award
Mean Creek
 * Down to the Bone
 * On the Outs
 * Robbing Peter
 * Unknown Soldier

Truer Than Fiction Award
Born into Brothels
 * Chisholm '72: Unbought & Unbossed
 * Control Room
 * Farmingville

Producers Award
Gina Kwon – The Good Girl, Me and You and Everyone We Know and The Motel
 * Danielle Renfrew – November and Groove
 * Sean Covel and Chris Wyatt – Napoleon Dynamite and Think Tank

Someone to Watch Award
Jem Cohen – Chain
 * Bryan Poyser – Dear Pillow
 * Jennifer Reeves – The Time We Killed

Special Distinction Award

 * The ensemble cast of Mean Creek: Rory Culkin, Ryan Kelley, Scott Mechlowicz, Trevor Morgan, Josh Peck and Carly Schroeder