By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Best actress: Pregnant actress Natalie Portman, in Givenchy, arrived at the Independent Spirit Awards in Santa Monica today


She may have shared the best dressed honour on the red carpet with fellow nominee Nicole Kidman, but the acting glory was Natalie Portman's alone at the Independent Spirit Awards today.

The Black Swan star, who is pregnant with her first child, was named best actress at the Santa Monica ceremony, which is the art-house world's version of the Oscars.

Her ballet thriller swept the board at the ceremony a day before it competes for

five prizes at the Academy Awards.

The film, which struggled to get made despite an A-list cast and director, picked up three other Spirit statuettes, including best feature.


Lady in red: Nicole Kidman looked stunning in a fiery red fitted lace dress


Darren Aronofsky was named best director for his work on the movie, two years after he was honored for The Wrestler.

It also took the cinematography prize for Matthew Libatique.

The 29-year-old star and her French boyfriend Benjamin Millepied, 33, met on the set of the psychological thriller and are expecting their first child this summer.

Before the ceremony, Portman made a stylish entrance on the red carpet in a baby-doll style Givenchy printed dress.

Kidman, who was also nominated for best actress for her role as a grieving mother in Rabbit Hole, looked equally stylish in a red lace fitted gown that also accentuated her slim figure.


Perfectly printed: Eva Mendes opted for a bright and breezy Chanel number while Zoe Saldana and Kerry Washington both wore Dolce & Gabbana


Paler shades: Grey's Anatomy star Kate Walsh, Australian actress Mia Wasikowska and Winter's Bone Jennifer Lawrence (in Dolce & Gabbana) all went for paler shades for the occasion


The joined a host of other stars at the event, including Eva Mendes, Zoe Saldana, Kerry Washington, Kate Walsh, Melissa Leo, Naomi Watts, Liev Schrieber, Mark Ruffalo and Ben Stiller.

Winter's Bone, which led the field with seven nominations, ended up with two prizes.
John Hawkes and Dale Dickey won for their supporting roles as threatening characters in a rural American community ravaged by methamphetamines.

'The King's Speech, which leads the Oscars field with 12 nominations, was named best foreign film at the Spirits. As a British movie, it was not eligible for consideration in the major categories.


Spirited: The Fighter's Melissa Leo and actresses Anne Heche and Amber Tamblyn looked ready for the festivities


Party of two: Naomi Watts and husband Liev Schrieber and Sandra Oh and her guest were among the stars who came in pairs


The male lead prize went to James Franco for his role as a a hiker forced to amputate his own arm in the true-life tale 127 Hours.

The Kids Are All Right, with five nominations, received a solitary win in the screenplay category, for director Lisa Cholodenko and co-writer Stuart Blumberg.
Aronofsky and Portman first discussed making Black Swan about a decade ago, and when they finally started shooting, the film had no financing.

Aronofsky hailed some equity investors whose risky bet has paid a hefty dividend.
The film, which cost about $15 million to make, has grossed just over $100 million at the North American box office. It will compete in the equivalent categories at the Oscars on Sunday, as well as for editing.

The Spirit Awards honour low-budget American films based on such criteria as original, provocative subject matter and the degree of independent financing.





Mia Wasikowska at the 2011 Independent Spirit Awards



Naomi Watts at the 2011 Independent Spirit Awards


The Duplass brothers at the 2011 Independent Spirit Awards



source: dailymail