Columbia University School of the Arts Film Program alumni captured several nominations for the 2011 Spirit Awards, with five nominations for Lisa Cholodenko's ('97SOA) The Kids Are All Right, including Best Feature and Best Director.
The Spirit Awards' Robert Altman Award--given to one film's director, casting director, and its ensemble cast--was announced with the nominations, and it was given to alumna Nicole Holofcener's ('88SOA) Please Give. Holofcener, who directed and wrote, also received a Spirit Award nomination for best screenplay.
A video of the November 30 nominations announcement can be viewed on the Spirit Awards site. The awards are sponsored by Film Independent, a nonprofit organization that champions independent film and supports a community of artists who embody diversity, innovation, and uniqueness of vision. The awards will be presented February 26, 2011.
Nominated for Best Feature:
The Kids Are All Right, directed and co-written by Lisa Cholodenko ('97SOA)
Nominated for Best Director:
Lisa Cholodenko ('97SOA), for The Kids Are All Right
Nominated for Best Screenplay:
The Kids Are All Right, written by Stuart Blumberg and Lisa Cholodenko ('97SOA)
Please Give, written by Nicole Holofcener ('88SOA)
Best First Feature:
Night Catches Us, directed by Tanya Hamilton, who attended the Film Program
Acura Someone to Watch Award:
Hossein Keshavarz ('05SOA), for Dog Sweat
Aveeno Truer Than Fiction Award (presented to an emerging director of nonfiction features):
Nelson Walker ('08SOA) and Lynn True, for Summer Pasture
Cholodenko's The Kids Are All Right also won nominations for Best Female Lead (Annette Bening) and Best Supporting Male (Mark Ruffalo). School of the Arts Writing student James Franco was nominated for Best Male Lead for 127 Hours.
