article by Lori Lakin Hutcherson (@lakinhutcherson)
According to Variety.com, last night at the 2016 Spirit Awards, which celebrate and honor independent films, “Beasts of No Nation” actors Idris Elba and Abraham Attah both won in their respective supporting and leading actor categories.
For the Ghanian Attah, playing the child soldier trained by Elba was his first acting role. Elba, though not nominated for an Academy Award this year, won the Screen Actors Guild award for his part in “Beasts of No Nation” as well.
Additionally, “Tangerine”‘s Mya Taylor took home the supporting actress award for her performance as a transgender sex worker. “I came from almost nothing,” a beaming Taylor said from the stage following a standing ovation. “My life did a total 360.” “Tangerine” was shot entirely on an iPhone by director Sean Baker.
A full list of winners (in bold) and nominees follows below:
Best Feature
Anomalisa
Beasts of No Nation
Carol
Spotlight — WINNER
Tangerine
November 5, 2024