Why You Should Watch the Indie Spirit Awards

The Film Independent Spirit Awards are my favorite awards show. Sure, the Golden Globes are often an entertaining train wreck, and the Oscars will always carry more prestige, but there’s something about the freedom of the Spirit Awards that I absolutely love. You can always count on the Spirits to deliver hilarity, but the awards have paved way for many touching moments as well. Below are a handful of reasons why I’ll be watching tonight.

Because I can’t find fault in any of the nominations in major categories

All Is Lost is represented well, as is Frances Ha, Inside Llewyn Davis, and hey, look…

Upstream Color has a few nominations

For Shane Carruth’s otherworldly direction, and Carruth and David Lowery’s masterful editing. Finally, someone understands.

Upstream Color director, Shane Carruth

Best Picture and Best Director usually go to different films

Which means Carruth has a fair shot at winning director. Or J.C. Chandor. Or Alexander Payne.

Because the Spirits highlight great films you probably haven’t heard of

Did you see Crystal Fairy last year? How about Go For Sisters? Me either, until I discovered their Indie Spirit nominations. Every year, I can trust the Spirits to shed light on films that deserve more of it.

Benoît Debie Could. Win. An. Award.

Say what you want about Spring Breakers, but there’s simply no arguing against the bubble gum beauty of Debie’s cinematography.

Another lead actress might have a chance to make a speech

With Cate Blanchett a lock for the Best Actress Oscar, the Spirits could easily give their award to Julie Delpy (Before Midnight), Brie Larson (Short Term 12) or Shailene Woodley (The Spectacular Now). No argument here.

Brie Larson in Short Term 12

Same goes for Best Actor

Matthew McConaughey will mostly likely add another award to his mantle when he wins the Spirit Award for Dallas Buyers Club, but it honestly could go to any of the other nominees. That’s the thing about the Spirits… you just never know.

Winners are encouraged to curse during their speeches

The show airs on IFC, which allows profanity, so winners are urged to let it fly while giving their speeches. This always makes for a handful of entertaining moments. Here’s my favorite: 

Blue is the Warmest Color could actually win something

It has a damn good shot of winning Best International Film. Whoever gives that speech, whether it’s ill-tempered director, Abdellatif Kechiche, or one of his spitfire stars, I’m sure it’ll be worth remembering.

Ryan Coogler will mostly likely have a moment…

…when he accepts the award for Best First Feature for Fruitvale Station. I’m sure he’d offer something poignant and insightful in his speech.

There will a touching remembrance for Philip Seymour Hoffman

Hoffman was a staple of the Spirits, and I’m sure they’ve prepared something tremendously moving in his honor. I mean, they better have, right?

But mostly importantly, the number one reason to watch the Independent Spirit Awards is because they’re FUN

The Spirits are the antithesis of the Oscars. The awards take place under a giant tent on the beach in Santa Monica (no… really), and for a lot of the people in attendance, it’s the last night they can cut loose before the stuffiness of the Oscars. In addition to promoting foul language, the Spirits supply each table with plentiful amounts of booze, so you can always expect winners and/or nominees to say or do something wildly entertaining while under the influence. Like this here:

Click here for the Indie Spirit Awards nominations