Due to an enormous buzz stemming from its brutally honest portrayal of slavery in America, 12 Years a Slave was expected to sweep through its competition when award season came around. The Film Independent Spirit Awards second that notion and have nominated 12 Years a Slave for seven of their top categories.
According to the official website, the awards were founded in 1984 and their aim is to honor movies with the do-for-self mantra. 12 Year’s… nods for this year’s awards include over best picture, director for Steve McQueen, lead actor for Chiwetel Ejiofor, supporting actor for Michael Fassbender and supporting actress for the lovely Lupita Nyong’o.
The awards won’t be handed out to the slave biopic in a gift-wrapped box, however. As the LA Times points out, Alexander Payne’s Nebraska is on its heels with six nominations for much of the same categories. Michael B. Jordan is also making his presence felt for his role in Fruitvale Station, which took many by surprise at the Sundance Film Festival.
12 Years a Slave has received praise and critics for a myriad of reasons. It’s currently in theaters under the Fox/Searchlight umbrella.
Hit the gallery to see the list of the nominations in which 12 Years… resides as well as its competition.
—
Photo: Facebook/Fox Searchlight
Best Feature
12 Years a Slave
All is Lost
Frances Ha
Inside Llewyn Davis
Nebraska
Best Male Lead
Bruce Dern, Nebraska
Chiwetel Ejiofor, 12 Years a Slave
Oscar Isaac, Inside Llewyn Davis
Michael B. Jordan, Fruitvale Station
Matthew McConaughey, Dallas Buyers Club
Robert Redford, All Is Lost
Best Director
Shane Carruth, Upstream Color
J.C. Chandor, All is Lost
Steve McQueen, 12 Years A Slave
Jeff Nichols, Mud
Alexander Payne, Nebraska
Best Screenplay
Woody Allen, Blue Jasmine
Julie Delpy, Ethan Hawke & Richard Linklater, Before Midnight
Nicole Holofcener, Enough Said
Scott Neustadter & Michael H. Weber, The Spectacular Now
John Ridley, 12 Years a Slave
Best Supporting Male
Michael Fassbender, 12 Years a Slave
Will Forte, Nebraska
James Gandolfini, Enough Said
Jared Leto, Dallas Buyers Club
Keith Stanfield, Short Term 12
Best Supporting Female
Melonie Diaz, Fruitvale Station
Sally Hawkins, Blue Jasmine
Lupita Nyong’o, 12 Years a Slave
Yolonda Ross, Go For Sisters
June Squibb, Nebraska
Best Cinematography
Sean Bobbitt, 12 Years a Slave
Benoit Debie, Spring Breakers
Bruno Delbonnel, Inside Llewyn Davis
Frank G. Demarco, All is Lost
Matthias Grunsky, Computer Chess
