1st Golden Satellite Awards

The 1st Golden Satellite Awards, given by the International Press Academy, were awarded on January 15, 1997. The ceremony was hosted by Stacy Keach.

Special achievement awards

Mary Pickford Award – Rod Steiger
Outstanding Contribution to New Media – Bill Gates
Outstanding New Talent – '''Arie Verveen'''

Motion picture winners and nominees

Best Actor – Drama

Geoffrey Rush – Shine as David Helfgott
James Woods – Killer: A Journal of Murder as Carl Panzram

Christopher Eccleston – Jude as Jude Fawley
Ralph Fiennes – The English Patient as László Almásy
William H. Macy – Fargo as Jerry Lundergaard
Billy Bob Thornton – Sling Blade as Karl Childers

Best Actor – Musical or Comedy

Tom Cruise – Jerry Maguire as Jerry Maguire

Nathan Lane – The Birdcage as Albert Goldman
Eddie Murphy – The Nutty Professor as Sherman Klump
Jack Nicholson – Mars Attacks! as President James Dale
Stanley Tucci – Big Night as Secondo

Best Actress – Drama

Frances McDormand – Fargo as Marge Gunderson

Brenda Blethyn – Secrets & Lies as Cynthia Purley
Kristin Scott Thomas – The English Patient as Katharine Clifton
Emily Watson – Breaking the Waves as Bess McNeill
Robin Wright Penn – Moll Flanders as Moll Flanders

Best Actress – Musical or Comedy

Gwyneth Paltrow – Emma as Emma Woodhouse

Glenn Close – 101 Dalmatians as Cruella de Vil
Shirley MacLaine – Mrs. Winterbourne as Grace Winterbourne
Heather Matarazzo – Welcome to the Dollhouse as Dawn Wiener
Bette Midler – The First Wives Club as Brenda Morelli-Cushman

Best Animated or Mixed Media Film

The Hunchback of Notre DameJames and the Giant PeachMars Attacks!Muppet Treasure Island

''Space Jam''

Best Art Direction

Romeo + Juliet – Catherine MartinThe English PatientEvitaHamlet

''The Portrait of a Lady''

Best Cinematography

The English Patient – John SealeBreaking the WavesEvitaHamlet

''Romeo + Juliet''

Best Costume Design

Evita – Penny RoseHamletMoll FlandersThe Portrait of a Lady

''Ridicule''

Best Director

Joel Coen – Fargo

Scott Hicks – Shine
Mike Leigh – Secrets & Lies
Anthony Minghella – The English Patient
Lars von Trier – ''Breaking the Waves''

Best Editing

Independence Day – David BrennerThe English PatientFargoMission: Impossible

''Romeo + Juliet''

Best Film – Drama

FargoThe English PatientLone StarSecrets & LiesShine

''Trainspotting''

Best Film – Musical or Comedy

EvitaCold Comfort FarmEveryone Says I Love YouFlirting with Disaster

''Swingers''

Best Foreign Language Film

Breaking the Waves, DenmarkBitter Sugar , CubaA Judgement in Stone , FranceKolya , Czech RepublicPrisoner of the Mountains , RussiaRidicule, France

Best Original Score

"The English Patient" – Gabriel Yared

"Hamlet" – Patrick Doyle
"Mars Attacks!" – Danny Elfman
"Michael Collins" – Elliot Goldenthal
"Sling Blade" – Daniel Lanois

Best Original Song

"You Must Love Me" performed by Madonna – Evita

"God Give Me Strength" performed by Kristen Vigard – Grace of My Heart
"Kissing You" performed by Des'ree – Romeo + Juliet
"That Thing You Do" performed by The Wonders – That Thing You Do!
"Walls" performed by Tom Petty – ''She's the One''

Best Screenplay – Adapted

The English Patient – Anthony MinghellaThe Crucible – Arthur MillerJude – Hossein AminiThe Portrait of a Lady – Laura JonesTrainspotting – John Hodge

Best Screenplay – Original

Lone Star – John Sayles
The People vs. Larry Flynt – Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski Fargo – Joel Coen and Ethan CoenShine – Jan SardiSling Blade – Billy Bob Thornton