Who would expect to find actors like Elizabeth Olsen and John Boyega, stars in two of the biggest franchises in movie history – THE AVENGERS and STAR WARS, respectively – announcing the nominees for the 2016 Film Independent Spirit Awards? The answer is easy; anyone who knows anything about the career trajectories of these talented actors, as both reign supreme in the idie world and with Film Independent and the Spirit Awards, and both like to “mix it up” even now with blockbuster tentpoles and intimate indie moviemaking.
Held annually on the beach in Santa Monica the day prior to the Academy Awards, the Spirit Awards is one of the crown jewels in the world of independent film and Film Independent, but before the “winners” are known in February, it’s time for the nominees! On November 24, 2015, at the W Hotel in Hollywood, Film Independent President Josh Welsh presided over a press conference with actors John Boyega and Elizabeth Olsen presenting the nominations.
By the time all the nominees had been announced, the big winner of the morning proved to be CAROL, picking up six nominations, including two for Best Lead Female which pits last year’s winner, Cate Blanchett, against her CAROL co-star Rooney Mara. Nominees for Best Feature included ANOMALISA, BEASTS OF NO NATION, CAROL, SPOTLIGHT and TANGERINE.
After the nominations announcements, Josh Welsh, John Boyega and Elizabeth Olsen took to the red carpet and talked with film critic debbie lynn elias about the nominations, indie film and a few other surprises.
