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<![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--><!--EndFragment--> Lee Daniels’ “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire” and Michael Hoffman’s “The Last Station” topped the list of the 25th Film Independent Spirit Awards nominations, it was announced Tuesday morning.
Each had five nominations, including Best Feature and Best Director. As for distributors, Fox Searchlight and Sony Pictures Classics tied for first, with seven nominations each. Several of the nominated films, including "October Country" and "Easier with Practice," have no current distribution,
Selected from 240 submissions, winners will be unveiled at a late-night celebration on March 5, 2010, at LA Live in downtown Los Angeles.
Other nominees for Best Feature include “(500) Days of Summer,” “Amreeka” and “Sin Nombre.” The Coen Brothers' “A Serious Man” did not receive a Best Feature nomination, but the Coens were nominated for Best Director, cinematographer Roger Deakins received a nomination, and the film was selected for the Robert Altman Award, which is given to one film’s director, casting director and ensemble cast.
Nominees in the Best First Feature award include "A Single Man," "Crazy Heart," "Easier with Practice," "Paranormal Activity" and "The Messenger."
In the lead acting categories, expected Oscar nominees Jeff Bridges ("Crazy Heart"), Colin Firth ("A Single Man"), Helen Mirren ("The Last Station") and Gabourey Sidibe ("Precious") will go up against dark horses Joseph Gordon-Levitt ("(500) Days of Summer"), Souleymane Sy Savane ("Goodbye Solo") and Nisreen Faour ("Amreeka").
Nominees in the supporting categories include Mo'Nique for "Precious," Woody Harrelson for "The Messenger," Christian McKay for "Me and Orson Welles," Christopher Plummer for "The Last Station" and Flight of the Conchords singer/actor Jemaine Clement for "Gentlemen Broncos."
