METHOD FEST PRIZES SALUTE INDIES' BEST.

Byline: - Valerie Kuklenski

``Runin - Banished,'' a 19th-century Japanese drama about an ex-courtesan who uses her sexuality to survive in a penal colony, was named best feature on Friday at the Method Fest Independent Film Festival in Calabasas.

The film also won the festival director's award for excellence in acting for its lead, Keiko Matsuzaka.

The festival's opening feature, ``Steal Me,'' won best actor for Hunter Parrish, whose upcoming projects include the Showtime series ``Weeds,'' and best director for Melissa Painter.

Emily Stiles of ``East of Sunset'' won the best actress honor, and the movie also was recognized for ``quality in a low-budget film.''

``Waterborne,'' about the aftermath of a terrorist attack on the Los Angeles water supply, took the audience award for Best Feature as well as the best ensemble cast honor.

The breakout performance award went to Tamara Hope for her role in ``Nickel Children.'' David L. Paterson's ``Love, Ludlow'' was named best screenplay. ``Sugar Mountain'' was selected as best short film, while the audience award for best short went to ``Jihad.''

Other festival director's honorees were the Danish film ``Brothers'' for excellence in film, and ``The Clown'' for excellence in short filmmaking.

The awards ceremony at Calabasas Inn also included a lifetime achievement award for Martin Landau, whose latest feature, ``Aryan Couple,'' was screened at the festival.

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(color) HOPE