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Indie Darlings - Dubbed the Oscars of independent film, the Independent Spirit Awards celebrates the best indie talent in the business. The ceremony, which traditionally takes place the day before the Academy Awards, was held on the beach in Santa Monica, California.  David Oyelowo had two acclaimed films on the indie circuit this year — Selma, in which he played Dr. Martin Luther King, and A Most Violent Year, opposite Jessica Chastain and Oscar Isaac. (Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

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Kerry Washington - The Scandal star has been a longtime fan of indie cinema and has starred in a number of art house films herself, from Spike Lee's She Hate Me to Life Is Hot in Cracktown. (Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

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Oprah Winfrey - The television mogul executive-produced Selma, which was up for a few Independent Spirit Awards and will also compete for Best Picture at the Oscars on Sunday. (Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

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Andre Benjamin - The Outkast rapper made waves as Jimi Hendrix in the indie biopic All Is by My Side. (Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images

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Carmen Ejogo - The Selma actress was nominated for her role as Coretta Scott King. (Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage)

Photo By Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage

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Ava DuVernay - The filmmaker, who is one of the most admired indie directors in the business and a board member of the Sundance Institute, is up for the Best Director award. (Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

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Justin Simien - The Dear White People filmmaker won the award for Best First Screenplay. (Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage)

Photo By Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage

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Aja Naomi King - The How to Get Away With Murder star, who stars in the 2013 indie drama Four, supports her fellow actors. (Photo: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

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Yolonda Ross - The talented actress is a regular on the indie scene. (Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images

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Michael Peña - The End of Watch actor got his start in independent cinema and remains committed to it even today. (Photo: Mike Windle/Getty Images for Lincoln Motor Company)

Photo By Photo: Mike Windle/Getty Images for Lincoln Motor Company