MUMBAI: Independent studio Lionsgate has garnered five Oscar nominations spanning three films. Lionsgate has now earned 32 Academy Award nominations in the past nine years, more than any other independent studio.

The kudos include Julie Christie nominated for Best Actress for the critically-acclaimed Away From Her; Sarah Polley nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay for Away From Her; Marco Beltrami nominated for Best Original Score for 3:10 To Yuma; Paul Massey, David Giammarco and Jim Stuebe for best achievement in sound mixing, also for 3:10 To Yuma; and Sicko, Michael Moore’s critically-acclaimed indictment of the US health care system, which was nominated for Best Documentary Feature.

“Critical acclaim and commercial success are not an either/or proposition,” said Lionsgate co-chief operating officer and Motion Picture Group president Joe Drake. “Even as our North American box office for this fiscal year continues to roll toward a Lionsgate record $400 million, these awards show that Lionsgate also remains a critical leader and our creative talent continues to generate some of the most original, exciting and prestigious product in the business.”

In addition to Lionsgate’s five Oscar nominations, Mandate Pictures, which was acquired by Lionsgate in August 2007, earned four Academy Award nods for the sleeper hit Juno.