2009 Film Independent's Spirit Awards

Comedian Steve Coogan played master of ceremonies to a raucous crowd-including Jessica Alba, Zooey Deschanel, and Anne Hathaway-at Film Independent's 24th Annual Spirit Awards, held on the beach by the Santa Monica Pier. Presenting the Robert Altman Award to Charlie Kaufman for Synecdoche, New York, Cameron Diaz (in Michael Kors) took great pains to announce the tongue-twisting title of the film. "It's phonetically spelled as well," Diaz told the audience after flubbing her line.

-Lindzi Scharf

The fashion trend at the beach-side awards ceremony-short dresses. Rachel Getting Married star Anne Hathaway showed off her gorgeous gams in a belted Rodarte wool dress trimmed with black and white feathers.

Fresh from New York Fashion Week, Claire Danes was all smiles in head to toe Lanvin when she joined fiance Hugh Dancy (in Calvin Klein) on the red carpet. Danes later teamed up with John C. Reilly to present the Acura Someone to Watch award.

"I'm wearing [a dress by] my friend Georgina Chapman, it's Marchesa," said Kerry Washington, who congratulated The Curious Case of Benjamin Button star Taraji P. Henson (in Burberry) on her Spirit Award and Oscar nominations backstage at the On 3 gift lounge. As for Henson, all the excitement had already taken a toll. "I lost my voice," the actress whispered.

After presenting the Best Supporting Actress award to Penelope Cruz, Jessica Alba (in Dior) found a friend in Best Actor winner Mickey Rourke backstage at the Elle Beach Chic lounge. The duo picked up LaCoste reversible bucket hats and sunglasses from the spring/summer '09 collection.

Mariah Carey slipped on some shades for her blue carpet walk. Did Carey-who earned more indie cred at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival for her role in Push: Based on the Novel by Sapphire-dress for comfort? "Yes, darling," she said, showing off her Chanel dress. "As always!"

Michelle Williams caught up with Synecdoche, New York co-stars Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Catherine Keener after the trio accepted the Robert Altman Award for their work as an ensemble cast. Williams later watched as Teri Hatcher performed one of the ceremony's trademark spoof song for her other nominated film, Wendy and Lucy.

"And the nominees are…" teased Mary-Kate Olsen, who could barely reach the microphone when she hit the stage with Sir Ben Kingsley to present Best First Screenplay award. Once her presenting duties were over, the petite starlet (in Balmain) relaxed outside the Elle Beach Chic lounge.

He's Just Not That Into You star Bradley Cooper stopped by the On 3 gift lounge, where he picked up a year's supply of Blink Tears eye drops. Cooper and fellow presenters Jessica Alba, Sandra Oh and Michelle Mognahan also walked away with goodies like a Crunch gym membership and a stay at the St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort.

Small screen star Christina Applegate got in on the fun during the laid-back ceremony, hitting the stage to perform a song and dance act to introduce Best Picture nominee Frozen River, set to the tune of "Proud Mary."

"I'm very happy," said Vicky Christina Barcelona star Penelope Cruz (in Alaia), accepting the award for Best Supporting Actress. "I want to share this with the whole cast. It's really an ensemble movie."

"It takes place in the afternoon and it's filled with people who love movies," said Zooey Deschanel, when asked what sets the Indie Spirits apart from other awards shows. Declining to pick favorites among the nominees, Deschanel (in Lela Rose) declared, "I’m excited to see what happens!"