The jury, led by director and actress Nicole Garcia, chose the film by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris. Little Miss Sunshine was presented for the first time at the Sundance Film Festival, and was five years in the making.
Starring Greg Kinnear, Toni Collette and Steve Carell, Little Miss Sunshine is the story of the Hoover family. The father, Richard, is a motivational speaker who lives his life by using his "9 Steps of Success" mentality. The family also includes a suicidal brother, and children who aren’t exactly a parent’s dream.
The best screenplay honours went to Laurie Collyer for her film Sherrybaby.