‘Carol’ leads Spirit Awards film nominations

“Carol,” the story of a 1950s housewife who falls for a store clerk, led the pack of independent movies tipped for Oscars glory as the Spirit Awards nominations were unveiled Tuesday. Starring Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara, the film was nominated in six categories, including best feature, best director and best actress. “Beasts of No Nation,” about a child soldier, came in second with five nominations, while “Spotlight,” on the Boston Globe’s Pulitzer Prize-winning investigation into sex abuse in the Catholic Church, won four nominations. The Film Independent Spirit Awards are seen as an strong indicator of independent movies that could win Oscar glory. Other contenders for best feature are “Anomalisa,” an animated comedy drama, and “Tangerine,” about two transgender prostitutes in Los Angeles. “This year’s nominees are a testament to the strength, vitality and diversity of independent, artist-driven filmmaking,” said Film Independent president Josh Welsh. “It’s an astonishingly strong group of films and performances this year and we look forward to celebrating them all at the Spirit Awards.” The winners will be announced on February 27, a day before the Academy Awards.—