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Timothée Chalamet, A Fantastic Woman Win at Spirit Awards

Timothée Chalamet, A Fantastic Woman Win at Spirit Awards

Timothee Chalamet

The Call Me by Your Name star and transgender Chilean film were among the diverse winners at the ceremony, which is considered an Oscars bellwether.

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It was a big night for LGBT representation at the 2018 Film Independent Spirit Awards.

Timothee Chalamet won Best Male Lead for his portrayal of Elio, the gay teen who is the heart of Call Me by Your Name. Sayombhu Mukdeeprom also took home Best Cinematography for the dreamy coming-of-age film set "somewhere in northern Italy."

In addition, A Fantastic Woman, a Chilean film about a transgender woman facing discrimination, won Best International Film. Its director Sebastian Lelio was presented with the award, but he devoted his speech to praising its trans lead, Daniela Vega. Mudbound, directed by queer filmmaker Dee Rees, was also honored with the Robert Altman Award.

Other notable winners included Greta Gerwig for Best Screenplay (Lady Bird), Frances McDormand for Best Female Lead (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri), Allison Janney for Best Supporting Female (I, Tonya), Sam Rockwell for Best Supporting Male (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri), and Faces Places for Best Documentary.

Call Me by Your Name lost Best Feature to Get Out, a horror film that centers on race. Director Jordan Peele, in his acceptance speech, recognized the moment as an important one for Hollywood in its recognition of historically marginalized voices.

"It's clear we are in the beginning of a renaissance right now where stories from the outsider, stories from the people in this room, the same stories that independent filmmakers have been telling for years are being honored and recognized and celebrated," said Peele, who also took home Best Director, reports Variety.

Chalamet, a newcomer at 22, also acknowledged the significance of this moment in his speech.

"I'm trying to really savor this moment. I don't know if this thing's ever really going to happen again," he said, according to MTV News. "I hope it doesn't sound cheesy when I say it, but I have a lot of faith. I have a lot of faith in this industry. I have a lot of faith in our country. I have faith because of Greta Gerwig and Luca Guadagnino and Josh Safdie and Jordan Peele and Daniel Kaluuya and filmmakers that aren't here."

"Two years ago I could do a movie without worrying about if I was going to have sex with a peach or not because nobody knew who I was," he added, in a reference to his now infamous peach scene in Call Me by Your Name. "Now I've got to worry a little bit more."

The 33rd Independent Spirit Awards were held Saturday in Santa Monica, Calif. The ceremony, which honors excellence in independent film, is considered an important bellwether for the Academy Awards.

Many Spirit Award winners go on to win in their Oscar categories -- and many will be looking to see if the dark horse Chalamet will be able to best frontrunner Gary Oldman (Darkest Hour) for Best Actor on Hollywood's biggest night.

Watch Chalamet's Spirit-ed speech below.

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Daniel Reynolds

Daniel Reynolds is the editor of social media for The Advocate. A native of New Jersey, he writes about entertainment, health, and politics.
Daniel Reynolds is the editor of social media for The Advocate. A native of New Jersey, he writes about entertainment, health, and politics.