Independent Spirit Award Nominations: "Carol," "Beasts of No Nation" and "Spotlight" Show Strength

The Independent Spirit Awards are hardly predictive of the Oscars; In many cases, they highlight the smaller films that get left out of the overall larger conversation. However, they're important to examine, because of how the high-profile films that do show up here.

So when a film like "Carol," one that is critically acclaimed but sort of an underdog when you look at people's Oscar predictions, leads the nomination count here, that's an important takeaway. It hardly means that the Golden Globes, critics and Oscars will follow the same path, but it shows where some of the heat and momentum is. For right now, at least.

Other leaders are the Netflix film, "Beasts of No Nation" and "Spotlight," while some presumed frontrunners fell a little flat. Take a look for yourself at the full list of nominations below.

Best Picture: 

• "Anomolisa"
• "Beasts of No Nation"
• "Carol"
• "Spotlight"
• "Tangerine"

Very interesting concerning the exclusion of "Room" and the inclusion of "Beasts of No Nation," a film released by Netflix. Their stock is certainly rising, and if they keep it up, they could find themselves challenging the film industry. "Beasts" is one of the boldest films of the year, and I really didn't think it had any shot at awards contention this year, but I'm glad I was wrong. Also thrilled to see "Tangerine" in here alongside Oscar-fare like "Carol" and "Spotlight."

Best Director: 

• Sean Baker, "Tangerine"
• Cary Joji Fukunaga, "Beasts of No Nation"
• Todd Haynes, "Carol"
• Charlie Kaufman & Duke Johnson, "Anomolisa"
• Tom McCarthy, "Spotlight"
• David Roger Mitchell, "It Follows"

Best Screenplay: 

• "Anomolisa"
• "Bone Tomahawk"
• "Carol"
• "The End of the Tour"
• "Spotlight"

Best Female Lead: 

• Bel Powley, "The Diary of a Teenage Girl"
• Cate Blanchett, "Carol"
• Brie Larson, "Room"
• Rooney Mara, "Carol"
• Kitana Kiki Rodriguez, "Tangerine"

Well "Room" may not have found love in Picture, but it's good to see people are unanimous in their adoration for Brie Larson's performance. Also worth noting, Rooney Mara AND Cate Blanchett found love here, despite reports that Mara was being campaigned in supporting. Hopefully this inspires Weinstein to retract that; She really is a co-lead. This category really is something though. The Spirits always have some of the most inspired lineups. 

Best Male Lead:

• Christopher Abbott, "James White"
• Abraham Attah, "Beasts of No Nation"
• Ben Mendelshon, "Mississippi Grind"
• Jason Segel, "End of the Tour"
• Koudous Seihon, "Mediterranea"

Interesting exclusion concerning Jacob Tremblay from "Room." I would've thought he'd be a slam dunk here. But I'm thrilled over Abraham Attah's inclusion; Proof that child performances are worthy of leading awards consideration. 

Best Supporting Female: 

• Robin Bartlet, "H."
• Marin Ireland, "Glass Chin"
• Jennifer Jason Leigh, "Anomolisa"
• Mya Taylor, "Tangerine"
• Cynthia Nixon, "James White"

Best Supporting Male: 

• Kevin Corrigan, "Results"
• Paul Dano, "Love & Mercy"
• Idris Elba, "Beasts of No Nation"
• Richard Jenkins, "Bone Tomahawk"
• Michael Shannon, "99 Homes"

For all of the spotlight love, I'm shocked none of that translated into acting nominations... I'm sure Keaton, Ruffalo, etc. will be bigger plays with the Globes and Oscars, though. 

Best First Feature: 

• "The Diary of a Teenage Girl"
• "James White"
• "Manos Sucas"
• "Mediterranea"
• "Songs My Brother Taught Me"

Best First Screenplay:

• "The Diary of a Teenage Girl"
• "Me, Earl, and the Dying Girl"
• "Mediterranea"
• "The Mend"
• "Room"

Best Editing:

• "Beasts of No Nation"
• "Heaven Knows What"
• "It Follows"
• "Room"
• "Spotlight"

Best Cinematography: 

• "Beasts of No Nation"
• "Carol"
• "It Follows"
• "Meadowland"
• "Songs My Brother Taught Me"