As 2015 draws to a close, the studios and distributors are waist deep in the process of pitching their prestigious titles for the glut of end of the year awards. As the voting window for various critics groups, guilds, and organizations draw near, we’re starting to get lists of contenders for the various trophies. Today arrives with the first major announcement of the season, as we now know the nominees for the 2016 Independent Spirit Awards.
Since first appearing in 1984, the Independent Spirit Awards have always celebrated the best of non-mainstream cinema—think of them as Oscar’s cool relative from out of town. As the realm of independent movies has broadened over the years, there’s bound to be some crossover with the more mainstream awards, but this is, as always, an intriguing list. Check out all of the nominees below.
BEST FEATUREAnomalisaBeasts of No NationCarolSpotlightTangerineBEST DIRECTORCary Joji Fukunaga – Beasts of No NationCharlie Kaufman &Duke Johnson – AnomalisaDavid Robert Mitchell – It FollowsSean Baker – TangerineTodd Haynes – CarolTom McCarthy – SpotlightBEST FEMALE LEADBel Powley – The Diary of a Teenage GirlBrie Larson – RoomCate Blanchett – CarolKitana Kiki Rodriguez – TangerineRooney Mara – CarolBEST MALE LEADAbraham Attah – Beasts of No NationBen Mendelsohn – Mississippi GrindChristopher Abbott – James WhiteJason Segel – The End of the TourKoudous Seihon – MediterraneaBEST SUPPORTING FEMALECynthia Nixon – James WhiteJennifer Jason Leigh – AnomalisaMarin Ireland – Glass ChinMya Taylor – TangerineRobin Bartlett – H.BEST SUPPORTING MALEIdris Elba – Beasts of No NationKevin Corrigan – ResultsMichael Shannon – 99 HomesPaul Dano – Love & MercyRichard Jenkins – Bone TomahawkBEST SCREENPLAYAnomalisaBone TomahawkCarol End of the TourSpotlightBEST DOCUMENTARYBest of EnemiesHeart of a DogLook of SilenceMeruRussian Woodpecker(T)errorBEST FIRST FEATUREThe Diary of a Teenage GirlJames WhiteManos SucasMediterraneaSongs My Brothers Taught MeBEST EDITINGBeasts of No NationHeaven Knows WhatIt FollowsRoomSpotlightBEST CINEMATOGRAPHYBeasts of No NationCarolIt FollowsMeadowlandSongs My Brothers Taught MeBEST INTERNATIONAL FILMEmbrace of the SerpentGirlhoodMustangA Pigeon Sat on a Branch Reflecting on ExistenceSon of SaulJOHN CASSAVETTES AWARD (Best Feature Made For Under $5,000)AdvantageousChristmas, AgainHeaven Knows WhatKrishaOut of My HandROBERT ALTMAN AWARD (Best Ensemble)SpotlightKIEHL’S SOMEONE TO WATCH AWARDChloe ZhoaFelix ThompsonRobert Machoian & Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck
Todd Haynes period romance, Carol, and Cary Joji Fukunaga’s child-soldier drama, Beasts of No Nation, lead all nominees, with six nods apiece, and given the buzz surrounding each of them, that’s not a huge shock—though Abraham Attah, the 15-year-old star of Beasts, getting a nod for Best Actor is pretty cool, and he certainly gives an unforgettable performance.
While the likes of Carol Beast of No Nation, and Spotlight are likely to be in the conversation come Oscar time, there are a number of films on this list that won’t be, but that are still more than deserving of your attention. Sean Baker’s Tangerine, shot on an iPhone and following two transgender prostitutes on Christmas Eve mission, is unlike anything you’ll see here or anywhere else; Charlie Kaufman’s stop-motion animated Anomalisa also appears to be a film like few others in existence; and David Robert Mitchell’s It Follows took the horror genre in a new and interesting direction earlier this year. And there are a ton of other worthwhile films from the past year that you should check out when you have the chance.
More than anything, the Independent Spirit Awards are a celebration of films and filmmakers that try to do something new and different, and there are some true gems to be found here. The 31st award ceremony airs on IFC on February 27, 2016, the day before the Oscars. Is there anything on this list you’re particularly stoked it getting recognition? Let us know below.
