No matter what the Oscar nominations end up looking like, every year people will inevitably complain that certain movies or performances got completely overlooked because they weren't "Hollywood" enough. That's where ceremonies like the Independent Spirit Awards come in. They're still fairly mainstream as far as their nominations go, but every year they do highlight movies that would likely never have a shot at Oscar gold.

For example, the fantastic It Follows, a horror movie that's essentially about a haunted STD, nabbed a surprising three nominations, including a fairly big one for Best Director. The horror Western Bone Tomahawk scooped up two nominations, including one for Richard Jenkins' supporting performance (watch an exclusive clip of him below). Those are cool and highly unexpected honors.

It's not just indie horror movies that made a show, though. Some of this year's more art house-y movies that have already earned some Oscar-prediction buzz will be at the Spirit Awards as well. Carol could potentially take home six awards when they're handed out on February 27, 2015. Spotlight also nabbed five nominations, as did Netflix's first original movie Beasts of No Nation.

There are actually a lot of interesting choices here. It's far too early to say what will win any of these awards, especially since some of these movies haven't seen a wide release yet (and may not), but if you like the indie side of cinema, put these titles on your radar.

Best Feature

Anomalisa
Beasts of No Nation
Carol
Spotlight
Tangerine
 

Best First Feature

James White
Manos Sucias
Mediterranea
Songs My Brother Taught Me
The Diary of a Teenage Girl
 

Best International Film

A Pigeon Sat on a Branch Reflecting on Existence
Embrace of the Serpent
Girlhood
Mustang
Son of Saul

Best Director

Cary Joji Fukunaga — Beasts of No Nation
Charlie Kaufman & Duke Johnson — Anomalisa
David Robert Mitchell — It Follows
Sean Baker — Tangerine
Todd Haynes — Carol
Tom McCarthy — Spotlight
 

Best Female Lead

Bel Bowley — Diary of a Teenage Girl
Brie Larson — Room
Cate Blanchett — Carol
Katana Kiki Rodriguez — Tangerine
Rooney Mara — Carol
 

Best Male Lead

Abraham Attah — Beasts of No Nation
Ben Mendelsohn — Mississippi Grind
Christopher Abbott — James White
Jason Segel — The End of the Tour
Koudous Seihon — Mediterranea
 

Best Supporting Female

Cynthia Nixon — James White
Jennifer Jason Leigh — Anomalisa
Marin Ireland — Glass Chin
Mya Taylor — Tangerine
Robin Bartlett — H.

 

Best Supporting Male

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

Best First Screenplay

Emma Donoghue — Room
Jesse Andrews — Me and Earl and the Dying Girl
John Magary, Russell Harbagh, Myna Joseph — The Mend
Jonas Carpignano — Mediterranea
Marielle Heller — The Diary of a Teenage Girl

Best Screenplay

Charlie Kaufman — Anomalisa
Donald Marguiles — The End of the Tour
Phyllis Nagy — Carol
S. Craig Zahler — Bone Tomahawk
Tom McCarthy & Josh Singer — Spotlight

 

Best Cinematography

Cary Joji Fukunaga — Beasts of No Nation
Ed Lachman — Carol
Joshua James Richards — Songs My Brother Taught Me
Michael Giolakis — It Follows
Reed Morano — Meadowland

 

Best Documentary

(T)error
Best of Enemies
Heart of a Dog
Meru
The Look of Silence
The Russian Woodpecker

Best Editing

Julio C. Perez IV — It Follows
Kristan Sprague — Manos Sucias
Nathan Nugent — Room
Ronald Bronstein and Benny Sadie — Heaven Knows What
Tom McArdle — Spotlight

John Cassavetes Award

Advantageous
Christmas, Again
Heaven Knows What
Krisha
Out of My Hand

Robert Altman Award

Spotlight