‘Spotlight’ Cleans Up At The Independent Spirit Awards

Tom McCarthy’s tale of the Catholic Church sex-abuse scandal and the newspaper investigation that uncovered it scored best feature, director, screenplay and editing prizes at the annual indie-movie ceremony in Santa Monica, as well as the previously announced ensemble-oriented Robert Altman Award.

“This film gave a voice to survivors, and this Oscar amplifies that voice, which we hope will become a choir that will resonate all the way to the Vatican”.

“There is transgender talent, there’s very attractive transgender talent”, Taylor told the audience.

“Pope Francis, it’s time to protect the children and restore the faith”, he said. Other nominees in the category include Bridge of Spies, Ex Machina, Inside Out and Straight Outta Compton.

Rocklin was one of the VIPs who got hugs – and big cheers – when she entered the “Spotlight” after-party, which was packed by 11 p.m. Party guests were the loudest when director and co-writer Tom McCarthy arrived at the bar. It is happening right now. In Attah’s version of the story, “We were playing football in front of a school, and a white man came and said we need some boys for a movie”.

Independent studio A24 also had a good night, with Brie Larson winning best actress for her role in “Room” and sci-fi psychological thriller “Ex Machina” winning the award for achievement in visual effects.

But it was not all celebration, as a row over the lack of ethnic minority acting hopefuls overshadowed Hollywood’s biggest night. “I couldn’t get a job because my name and gender weren’t changed on my employment application”.

Idris Elba has celebrated with a James Brown dance move after being named best supporting male at the Film Independent Spirit Awards.

Son of Saul director László Nemes – with his cast and crew of seven different nationalities – was the first Hungarian filmmaker to garner a Spirit Award.

“What can I say”, said Shults. A camera shows us things that the child never would have. “You raised my game”.

You’ll compete to win our contest prizes for best picks – $500 (first place), $300 (second place) and $200 (third place) in Amazon gift certificates – a place of honor on our leaderboard and a starring role in next year’s Top 24 Users (the two dozen folks who do the best predicting this year’s Oscar nominations).

Other Oscar favorites “The Revenant” and “The Big Short”, didn’t qualify.