Independent Streak Today is the kind of day that proves it’s worth holding on to your dream. Film Independent announced this year’s nominees for the Independent Spirit Awards, and true to the prizes’ name, an awards-season boost has been given to a strong handful of very, very small contenders, from those who were actively pursuing awards campaigns—shout-out to recent Little Gold Men guest Trace Lysette, nominated for best lead performance for Monica—to those who were not (but still, congratulations to Marshawn Lynch and his breakthrough performance in Bottoms!).  I’m Katey Rich, and I’m greatly enjoying the busy period of awards season we find ourselves in, with critics groups weighing in—the New York Film Critics Circle led the pack last week, and the Los Angeles critics will follow this weekend—and awards campaigns kicking into high gear now that all of the actors are back on the circuit. It’s made my colleagues in Los Angeles incredibly busy as they rush from screening to screening, but it’s a satisfying chaos given the eerie silence of the strike months. The independent focus of awards like the Indie Spirits and the Gothams has put a lot of attention on films like May December and Past Lives, but the casts of Barbie and Oppenheimer are also attending events on both coasts to remind you that they can be big at the box office andthe Oscars.  And speaking of Oppenheimer: On Sunday, we revealed the cover of our latest Awards Insider special edition, featuring Robert Downey Jr. in the midst of his unlikely third act. Anthony Breznican wrote the story entirely during the actors strike, which meant he got exceptional insight from those who know the star best. As his wife, Susan Downey, told Anthony, “He is very conscious of a beginning, middle, and end to telling stories”—including his own. “And he is also very conscious of not wanting to overstay a welcome, knowing when to get out before it’s too late and you regret that you didn’t.” May December and Past Lives Continue Their Hot Streaks The Independent Spirit Awards nominate the runaway indie hits of the year, as well as a few surprises. R E A D  M O R E » Robert Downey Jr.’s Third Act Following the actor’s Oscar-worthy turn in Oppenheimer, those in Downey’s inner circle size up the man and his considerable legacy. R E A D  M O R E » Colman Domingo’s Massive Year “Called On Everything That I Have” The Emmy-winning Euphoria star shows off his range—and star power—as the lead of Rustin and the antagonist of The Color Purple. R E A D  M O R E » Jacob Elordi Climbs a Giant Mountain With just three weeks to switch gears between Saltburn and Priscilla,the actor learned a whole lot about what he’s capable of. R E A D  M O R E » May December’s True Stories and Imagined Realities Netflix’s canny new film is rooted in real-life, splashy tabloid inspirations. From there, screenwriter Samy Burch told a story all her own—and darkly reflective of our world.