The snow is falling on cedars so clearly that means it is time for Awards Season. This is the only season we here at Fresh Fiction TV feel passionately about, and without fail leave it to the 30th Annual Independent Spirit Awards to get the party started.
There are few upsets in their annual list (no Tom Hiddleston for “The Only Lovers Left Alive?”), but overall it is a fairly robust list lauding a pretty robust year of filmmaking. The Michael Keaton starring “Birdman” leads the pack with six nominations, with Richard Linklater’s “Boyhood,” Ava DuVernay’s “Selma,” and Dan Gilroy’s “Nightcrawler” each taking five nominations. Look below and let us know if any of your favorites failed to make the cut.
BEST FEATURE (Award given to the Producer. Executive Producers are not awarded.)
BEST DIRECTOR
BEST SCREENPLAY
BEST FIRST FEATURE (Award given to the director and producer)
BEST FIRST SCREENPLAY
JOHN CASSAVETES AWARD – Given to the best feature made for under $500,000. Award given to the writer, director and producer. Executive Producers are not awarded.
BEST FEMALE LEAD
BEST MALE LEAD
BEST SUPPORTING FEMALE
BEST SUPPORTING MALE
BEST EDITING
BEST DOCUMENTARY (Award given to the director and producer)
BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM (Award given to the director)
ROBERT ALTMAN AWARD – (Given to one film’s director, casting director and ensemble cast)
Ensemble Cast: Josh Brolin, Martin Donovan, Jena Malone, Joanna Newsom, Joaquin Phoenix, Eric Roberts, Maya Rudolph, Martin Short Serena Scott Thomas, Benicio Del Toro, Katherine Waterston, Michael Kenneth Williams, Owen Wilson, Reese Witherspoon
SPECIAL DISTINCTION AWARD
18th ANNUAL PIAGET PRODUCERS AWARD – The 18th annual Producers Award, sponsored by Piaget, honors emerging producers who, despite highly limited resources, demonstrate the creativity, tenacity and vision required to produce quality, independent films. The award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant funded by Piaget.
21st ANNUAL KIEHL’S SOMEONE TO WATCH AWARD – The 21st annual Someone to Watch Award, sponsored by Kiehl’s Since 1851, recognizes a talented filmmaker of singular vision who has not yet received appropriate recognition. The award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant funded by Kiehl’s Since 1851.
20th ANNUAL LENSCRAFTERS TRUER THAN FICTION AWARD – The 20th annual Truer Than Fiction Award, sponsored by LensCrafters is presented to an emerging director of non-fiction features who has not yet received significant recognition. The award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant funded by LensCrafters.
