Often the independent fare celebrated by the Film Indendent Spirit Awards has been forgotten or unseen by the voting members of the Academy. But that’s not to say that the two have never been in sync. In the final part of this blog series, we highlight our favorite Spirit Award-winning films that also snagged Oscars.

Platoon (1987)
Director: Oliver Stone
Stars: Charlie Sheen, Tom Berenger, Willem Dafoe
Spirit Award Winner: Best Feature, Best Cinematography, Best Director, Best Screenplay
Where You Can Watch It: DVD, VOD (Walmart, Amazon)
The acclaimed first chapter in Oliver Stone’s Vietnam War trilogy was this epic that swept the main categories at the Spirit Awards, then went on to earn four Academy Awards. Aside from taking home Best Feature and Picture, Stone won Best Director at both ceremonies for his raw, unnerving depiction of what it could possibly feel like to be a young recruit going off to battle for the first time.

Pulp Fiction (1995)
Director: Quentin Tarantino
Stars: John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman
Spirit Award Winner: Best Feature, Best Director, Best Male Lead, Best Screenplay
Where You Can Watch It: DVD, VOD (Netflix, Walmart, Amazon)
This gritty tale put Tarantino on the map as a modern visionary whose work would always stimulate conversation and entice audiences. An all-star cast joins forces with the innovative filmmaker to tell an unforgettable story packed with dialogue fans would be quoting for years to come. It was nominated for seven Academy Awards, but the only honor voters from both ceremonies agreed upon was Tarantino’s fresh, incomparable voice, winning him an Oscar for his original screenplay.

Fargo (1997)
Directors: Joel and Ethan Coen
Stars: Frances McDormand, William H. Macy, Steve Buscemi
Spirit Award Winner: Best Feature, Best Female Lead, Best Male Lead, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography
Where You Can Watch It: DVD, VOD (Netflix, Walmart, Amazon)
The Coen Brothers already had a few cinematic achievements under their belt by the time this soon-to-be modern classic came along. Time-stamped as a breakthrough year where more independent films were honored by the Academy than ever before, this eccentric crime drama won big at the Spirit Awards. The inventive siblings won an Oscar for their original screenplay while Frances McDormand’s one-of-a-kind performance sent her home with a trophy for Best Actress. Oh yah, you betcha!

Sideways (2004)
Director: Alexander Payne
Stars: Paul Giamatti, Thomas Hayden Church, Virginia Madsen
Spirit Award Winner: Best Feature, Best Male Lead, Best Director, Best Supporting Male, Best Supporting Female
Where You Can Watch It: DVD, VOD (Walmart, Amazon)
Two buddies embark on a journey through California’s wine country in Payne’s quick-witted exploration of mid-life soul-searching and fondness for varietals. Romance, male bonding and an educational crash-course in wine all collide for this comedy that received five Academy Award nominations. It swept the major categories at the Spirit Awards, especially in the acting categories. All of the winning actors were nominated for Oscars, and it ended up winning for Best Adapted Screenplay.

Little Miss Sunshine (2007)
Directors: Valerie Faris and Jonathan Dayton
Stars: Toni Collette, Greg Kinnear, Alan Arkin
Spirit Award Winner: Best Feature, Best Director, Best First Screenplay, Best Supporting Male
Where You Can Watch It: DVD
Independent sweethearts Faris and Dayton’s feature debut was a surprise success for the married couple. The small film with a big heart gained awards-season momentum after audiences applauded it and word of mouth contributed to four Academy Award nominations. The road comedy features an unforgettable dance scene with breakthrough performer Abigail Breslin and Spirit Award Winner Alan Arkin, who also won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. Michael Arndt also won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.

12 Years A Slave (2013)
Director: Steve McQueen
Stars: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Lupita Nyong’o, Michael Fassbender
Spirit Award Winner: Best Feature, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Supporting Female, Best Cinematography
Where You Can Watch It: DVD
Last year, all voters were in agreement that Steve McQueen’s powerful feature was indeed the Best Picture of the year. Based on the true story of Solomon Northup, this heart-wrenching drama introduced audiences to a brave and inspirational man. While it featured many memorable performances, it was the acting debut of Lupita Nyong’o that truly shined, earning her a win for Best Supporting Actress at the Oscars and pretty much every other award show.

Chris Lombardi / Film Independent Blogger