You might find is strange to see John Boyega announcing the nominees for the Film Independent Spirit Awards, given he’s appearing in what is anticipated to be the biggest galactic blockbuster in history – a little film called STAR WARS EPISODE VII: THE FORCE AWAKENS. But Boyega’s roots are in indie film. And if his appearance, along with AVENGER Elizabeth Olsen, at the Spirit Awards Nominations morning doesn’t speak to the importance of indie film and where it can take you, nothing will!
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.
