"In a big studio-backed awards season, it's rare to see much overlap between the Film Independent Spirit Awards and the Oscars. A west coast cousin of sorts to the Gotham Awards, the Indie Spirits often celebrate the movies that the Academy skipped over with its nominations. The ceremony itself is also more fun (there's some day-drinking involved) than the more staid guild awards that dot the homestretch ahead of the similarly serious Academy Awards."
"Having said that, the Indie Spirits still matter quite a bit to campaign strategists and the people who employ them. They take place in the heart of awards season, and any televised event (this year's ceremony was broadcast on YouTube, which I think counts as TV by now) can't help but be seen as a vital campaign stop. They are not exactly useful as predictors, but being seen accepting an award at the Indie Spirits can still give a winner a boost."
"This year's big winner was Netflix's Train Dreams , the only film of the five best feature nominees that is also an Oscar nominee for best picture. Naturally, Train Dreams winning three awards over the weekend-best feature, best director, and best cinematography-makes it the little Oscar contender that could manage to pick up a trophy at the March 15 ceremony."
"I'll admit I was a little nervous when Netflix acquired director Clint Bentley's adaptation of Denis Johnson's novella after its acclaimed Sundance debut last season. Perhaps I was feeling some deja vu considering Bentley's last film -which was directed by Greg Kwedar, Bentley's writing partner with whom he adapted Train Dreams -failed to get the best picture nom so many pundits expected it to. Yes, Colman Domingo earned a nod for best actor, and Kwedar and Bentley also nabbed an adapted screenplay nom (shared with Clarence Maclin, who played himself in the film, and John "Divine G" Whitfield) in addition to an original song nod."
The Independent Spirit Awards frequently honor films overlooked by the Academy and present a livelier ceremony than traditional guild events. The ceremony remains a valuable campaign stop because televised exposure and visible wins can boost a film's awards momentum. This year's ceremony awarded Netflix's Train Dreams three honors including best feature, best director, and best cinematography, reinforcing its Oscar contention. Netflix acquired Train Dreams after Sundance, and director Clint Bentley previously collaborated with Greg Kwedar; their earlier film missed an expected best picture nomination despite multiple nods, including a best actor and adapted screenplay nomination.
Read at Filmmaker Magazine
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