DHAKA: Birdman has beaten Boyhood to the top prize at the Film Independent Spirit awards - one day before the films go up against each other at the Oscars.

Alejandro G Inarritu’s showbiz satire won best feature, best actor for Michael Keaton and for cinematography.

The awards, which honour low budget film-making, were made in a giant tent on Santa Monica beach on Saturday, reports the BBC.

Birdman’s triple win adds to the film’s momentum ahead of Sunday’s Academy Awards.

Inarritu said he felt ‘so proud and emotional’ to win and praised Keaton and his cast that includes Edward Norton and Emma Stone.

Boyhood - a family drama filmed with the same actors over 12 years - won best director for Richard Linklater while Patricia Arquette was named best actress.

Arquette, who is strongly tipped to win an Oscar, spoke of the film’s long lifespan.

‘People buried their parents, got married, divorced and had babies,’ she said. ‘It was an enormous commitment of time.’

BDST: 1322 HRS, FEB 22, 2015