‘12 Years a Slave’ Shines at the Film Independent Spirit Awards

Hollywood’s final ceremony before the 86th annual Academy Awards, the Independent Spirit Awards, took over Santa Monica, California this afternoon, declaring Steve McQueen’s 12 Years a Slave as the best, and winningest, cinematic experience of 2013. The film went on to take the Best Director, Supporting Female, Screenplay, and Cinematography honors, sending its cast and crew to the Oscars on a considerably high note. If today’s show is any further indication, Matthew McConaughey and Dallas Buyers Club co-star Jared Letohave all but won the Academy’s favor in the Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor categories. For that, and fellow “achievements of today’s independent filmmakers,” we say, alright, alright, alright.

Best Feature
12 Years a Slave

Best Director
Steve McQueen, 12 Years a Slave

Best Screenplay
John Ridley, 12 Years a Slave

Best First Feature
Fruitvale Station

Best First Screenplay
Bob Nelson, Nebraska

Best Cinematography
Sean Bobbitt, 12 Years a Slave

Best Editing
Nat Sanders, Short Term 12

John Cassavetes Award
This is Martin Bonner

Best Female Lead
Cate Blanchett, Blue Jasmine

Best Male Lead
Matthew McConaughey, Dallas Buyers Club

Best Supporting Female
Lupita Nyong’o, 12 Years a Slave

Best Supporting Male
Jared Leto, Dallas Buyers Club

Best Documentary
Morgan Neville, 20 Feet from Stardom

Best International Film
Blue is the Warmest Color

Robert Altman Award
Mud

Someone to Watch Award
Shaka King, Newlyweeds

Stella Artois Truer than Fiction Award
Jason Osder, Let the Fire Burn

Piaget Producers Award
Toby Halbrooks and James M. Johnston