INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS Nominations!

BEST FEATURE
ANOMALISA
BEASTS OF NO NATION
CAROL
SPOTLIGHT
TANGERINE

BEST DIRECTOR
CHARLIE KAUFMAN & DUKE JOHNSON - ANOMALISA
CARY JOJI FUKUNAGA - BEASTS OF NO NATION
TODD HAYNES - CAROL
DAVID ROBERT MITCHELL - IT FOLLOWS
TOM MCCARTHY - SPOTLIGHT
SEAN BAKER - TANGERINE

BEST MALE LEAD
ABRAHAM ATTAH - BEASTS OF NO NATION
JASON SEGAL -THE END OF THE TOUR
CHRISTOPHER ABBOT - JAMES WHITE
KOUDOUS SIEHON - MEDITERRANEA
BEN MENDELSOHN - MISSISSIPPI GRIND

BEST FEMALE LEAD
CATE BLANCHETT - CAROL
ROONEY MARA - CAROL
BEL POWLEY - THE DIARY OF A TEENAGE GIRL
BRIE LARSON - ROOM
KITANA KIKI RODRIGUEZ - TANGERINE

BEST SUPPORTING MALE
IDRIS ELBA - BEASTS OF NO NATION
RICHARD JENKINS - BONE TOMAHAWK
PAUL DANO - LOVE AND MERCY
KEVIN CORRIGAN - RESULTS
MICHAEL SHANNON - 99 HOMES

BEST SUPPORTING FEMALE
JENNIFER JASON LEIGH - ANOMALISA
MARIN IRELAND - GLASS CHIN
ROBIN BARTLETT - H.
CYNTHIA NIXON - JAMES WHITE
MYA TAYLOR - TANGERINE

BEST SCREENPLAY
ANOMALISA
BONE TOMAHAWK
CAROL
THE END OF THE TOUR
SPOTLIGHT

BEST FIRST FEATURE
THE DIARY OF A TEENAGE GIRL
JAMES WHITE
MANOS SUCAS
MEDITERRANEA
SONGS MY BROTHER TAUGHT ME

BEST FIRST SCREENPLAY
THE DIARY OF A TEENAGE GIRL
ME AND EARL AND THE DYING GIRL
MEDITERRANEA
THE MEND
ROOM

BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM
EMBRACE OF THE SERPENT
GIRLHOOD
MUSTANG
A PIGEON SAT ON A BRANCH REFLECTING ON EXISTENCE
SON OF SAUL

BEST DOCUMENTARY
BEST OF ENEMIES
HEART OF A DOG
THE LOOK OF SILENCE
MERU
THE RUSSIAN WOODPECKER
(T)ERROR

JOHN CASSAVETES AWARD
ADVANTAGEOUS
CHRISTMAS, AGAIN
HEAVEN KNOWS WHAT
KRISHA
OUT OF MY HAND

ROBERT ALTMAN AWARD
SPOTLIGHT

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
BEASTS OF NO NATION
CAROL
IT FOLLOWS
MEADOWLAND
SONGS MY BROTHER TAUGHT ME

BEST FILM EDITING
BEASTS OF NO NATION
HEAVEN KNOWS WHAT
IT FOLLOWS
ROOM
SPOTLIGHT





The actual nominations have no bearing on the Oscar race, as there have been several major snubs in the past that were still sure things at the Oscars. Still very disappointing to see Blythe Danner and Lily Tomlin miss, though I'm glad awards bodies aren't having any of Rooney Mara's fraudulent placement. I'm so happy for It Follows getting some love here. I'm also very happy that these feel more comprised of actual indies and not just low budget studio movies. Good job, Spirit Awards!

With regards to anyone getting a boost, I do wonder how far Cynthia Nixon can go. If Oscar voters see through Rooney's supporting placement (as well as Alicia Vikander), that leaves supporting actress open. Nixon's film is very very small, but if critics really rally behind her she could get in. And what's interesting about Cynthia is she has the E, G and T of the EGOT. She just needs the Oscar. It probably won't happen, but it would be a pretty cool thing to happen.