(California) – 12 Years a Slave rolled at the Spirit Awards, winning five awards including best feature at the annual independent film celebration. On the eve of the Academy Awards, the slavery tale won awards for director Steve McQueen, actress Lupita Nyong’o, screenwriter John Ridley and cinematographer Sean Bobbitt.
The acting winners, too, may line up. All of the Oscar favourites won at the Spirits, including best actor for Matthew McConaughey in “Dallas Buyers Club” and Cate Blanchett in “Blue Jasmine.” McConaughey’s co-star, Jared Leto, won best male supporting performance.