'12 Years a Slave' leads Spirit Awards with seven nominations

12 Years a Slave was widely accepted by critics everywhere and did very well at the box offices. Justly so, the film has been nominated Tuesday for a leading seven Spirit Awards.

The Spirit Awards honor independent films. Nominees are limited to films with a budget less than $20 million.

The film, directed by Steve McQueen, is up for best feature, best director, best actor (Chiwetel Ejiofer), best supporting actress (Lupita Nyong'o), best supporting actor (Michael Fassbender), best screenplay (John Ridley) and best cinematography (Sean Bobbitt).

12 Years a Slave tells the true story of Solomon Northup, a free black man from upstate New York, who is abducted and sold into slavery. The film depicts Northup's time as a slave and his struggle with seeking his freedom.

Trailing closely behind, Nebraska is nominated for six awards. The Alexander Payne comedy is nominated for best feature, best director, best actor for Bruce Dern, best supporting actress for June Squibb, best supporting actor for Will Forte and best first screenplay for Bob Nelson.

Although the Spirit Awards were created to honor low-budget films, there is often an overlap in films nominated. Many of the 2013 Spirit nominees are expected to be strong Oscar contenders.

The Spirit Awards, presented by the cinema group Film Independent, will be given out the day before the Oscars at an afternoon ceremony. The ceremony will air that night on IFC.

Nominees are chosen by panels of film professionals. Members of Film Independent can vote on the winners.