Los Angeles, February 26 – The spirits hovering over the Santa Monica beach on Saturday weren’t those of long-lost sailors or even surfers. Hollywood stars floated to the Independent Spirit Awards, Oscar’s lighthearted, jeans-clad, beach-partying cousin. Actually, they didn’t float – many arrived in hybrid Toyota Prius’. Salma Hayek showed how truly independent her spirit is, being the only star to drive a Ford Escape hybrid to the awards show.

Maggie Gyllenhaal is keeping the men in her life so busy that they don’t even have time for grooming - brother Jake and boyfriend Peter Sarsgaard both sported shaved heads. Actually, Jake and Peter are sheared for the film Jarhead, currently shooting; Peter proclaimed the no-maintenance style the best thing he ever did. We didn’t get Maggie’s opinion of the crew cut look.

David Duchovny, Cate Blanchett, Selma Blair, Jodie Foster and Robin Williams were just a few of those trudging to the beach. Elijah Wood showed his spotless mind, and Kate Bosworth didn’t have to face her ex, Orlando Bloom, at this fete like she did the other night.

Noting that the Independent Spirit Awards started in a restaurant and now, after twenty years, has moved into a tent, host Samuel L. Jackson expressed hope that perhaps in another twenty years the show will be inside an actual building.