The Oscars are just days away, and “Nomadland’s” odds of taking home the night’s top honor are looking as good as ever. More wins were added to writer-director Chloé Zhao’s historic awards season at last night’s Film Independent Spirit Awards. “Nomadland” was named Best Feature at the virtual ceremony, and Zhao won the award for Best Director in a category that featured three other women (“Promising Young Woman’s” Emerald Fennell, “Never Rarely Sometimes Always'” Eliza Hittman, and “First Cow’s” Kelly Reichardt). The Frances McDormand-starrer also won Best Editing and Best Cinematography.
“Promising Young Woman” made a major mark at last night’s festivities as well. The revenge thriller landed Fennell the award for Best Screenplay, and star Carey Mulligan was recognized as Best Female Lead. “Minari’s” Yuh-jung Youn was named Best Supporting Female.
Other winners included Nicole Newnham and James Lebrecht’s “Crimp Camp,” a look inside a ramshackle summer camp for teenagers with disabilities that helped spark a revolution, and Jasmila Žbanić’s ““Quo Vadis, Aida?,” a portrait of a U.N. translator in the days leading up to the Srebrenica massacre. The former won Best Documentary and the latter Best International Film.
“Farewell Amor” writer-director Ekwa Msangi landed the Someone to Watch Award.
The 36th edition of the Indie Spirit Awards marked the first time that television was recognized. Michaela Coel’s “I May Destroy You” won Best New Scripted Series and Best Ensemble Cast in a New Scripted Series.
Head over to Variety to check out all of the Indie Spirit Award winners. All nominated films had budgets under $22.5 million.
