‘Spotlight’ Leads Spirit Award Winners; Diversity Takes Center Stage

It won a leading four awards, including best picture, best director for Tom McCarthy, best screenplay and the Robert Altman award for ensemble. The Spirit Awards are generally more open to indie movies, and although there is sometimes some overlap, their winners frequently differ from both the Oscars and Golden Globes.

The 31st annual Spirit Awards will kick off at 5 p.m. EST Saturday from its customary seaside tent in Santa Monica, California.

Ghanaian newcomer Abraham Attah won the best actor award as a child soldier for Beasts of No Nation, while co-star Idris Elba, a British-born actor of Ghanaian descent, was named best supporting actor as an army commander. What makes Taylor’s win all the more impressive is that this was her first film role after she was discovered on the streets of Los Angeles by Tangerine director Sean Baker, who shot the film entirely on iPhones.

“There is transgender talent”.

“We would not be here today without the heroic efforts of our reporters”, [Spotlight] producer Blye Pagon Faust said in her acceptance speech.

“Spotlight” was nominated this year for best picture, best director, best supporting actress, best supporting actor, best original screenplay and best editing.

Lesbian romance period drama “Carol” led the nominees on Saturday with six nods, but came away with only the best cinematography award.

For the second straight year, the Spirit Awards will be broadcast live on IFC.

“The Spirit Awards honor the films you’ve been meaning to see”, Nanjiani said. “Saturday Night Live” star Kate McKinnon and “Silicon Valley’s” Kumail Nanjiani co-hosted the awards.

The New Providence High School alumnus stepped to the microphone and said, “We made this film for all the journalists who have and continue to hold the powerful accountable, and for the survivors whose courage and will to overcome is an inspiration to all”.

The awards show made history on Saturday, by honouring the first transgender actress with a major acting gong.

The only Oscar acting favorite, Brie Larson, added another win for her performance in the captive drama “Room”.