LOS ANGELES - The nominations for the 2004 IFP Independent Spirit Awards are in, and with more submissions than ever before in the ceremony's history, it looks like a hot race.Jeff Kleeman, IFP committee chair, had this to say: "With more submissions and less time then ever before, the Nominating Committee watched and discussed over 190 films in six weeks -- an act of extreme devotion that proved to be tremendously rewarding."
Dawn Hudson, IFP executive producer, added that this year's batch of nominees is particularly diverse, and commended the fact there are more highly talented women writers and directors emerging on the independent film scene, including nominees Shari Springer Berman, Sofia Coppola and Catherine Hardwicke.
Films that have been nominated for IFP Independent Spirit Awards were selected based on their original and provocative subject matter, uniqueness of vision, and financial characteristics, including total budget, individual compensation, and percentage of independent financing.
Last year's ISA winners included the film Far From Heaven (best feature), Julianne Moore (best director and lead actress), and Dennis Quaid (best supporting actor).
The 2004 IFP Independent Spirit Awards ceremony will air live on Feb. 28 at 5 p.m. EST on the Independent Film Channel, and will be broadcast at 10 p.m. EST/PST on Bravo.
The nominees for the 2004 IFP Independent Spirit Awards are (by category):
Best Feature
American SplendorIn AmericaLost in TranslationRaising Victor VargasShattered GlassBest Director
Shari Springer Berman & Robert Pulcini - American SplendorSofia Coppola - Lost in TranslationJim Sheridan - In AmericaPeter Sollett - Raising Victor VargasGus Van Sant - ElephantBest Screenplay
American Splendor - Writers: Shari Springer Berman & Robert PulciniLost in Translation - Writer: Sofia CoppolaA Mighty Wind - Writers: Christopher Guest & Eugene Levy and the cast of A Mighty WindPieces of April - Writer: Peter HedgesShattered Glass - Writer: Billy RayBest First Feature
Bomb the System - Director: Adam Bhala Lough; Producers: Ben Rekhi, Sol TryonHouse of Sand and Fog - Director: Vadim Perelman; Producers: Michael London, Vadim PerelmanMonster - Director: Patty Jenkins; Producers: Mark Damon, Donald Kushner, Clark Peterson, Charlize Theron, Brad WymanQuattro Noza - Director: Joey Curtis; Producer: Fredric King Thirteen - Director: Catherine Hardwicke; Producers: Jeffrey Levy-Hinte, Michael LondonJohn Cassavetes Award
Anne B. Real - Director: Lisa France; Writers: Lisa France, Antonio Macia, Producers: Josselyne Herman, Luis Moro, Jeanine RohnBetter Luck Tomorrow - Director: Justin Lin; Writers: Ernesto M. Foronda, Justin Lin, Fabian Marquez; Producers: Julie Asato, Ernesto M. Foronda, Justin Lin Pieces of April - Writer/Director: Peter Hedges; Producers: Alexis Alexanian, John S. Lyons, Gary WinickThe Station Agent - Writer/Director: Thomas McCarthy; Producers: Mary Jane Skalski, Robert May, Kathryn TuckerVirgin - Writer/Director: Deborah Kampmeier; Producer:Sarah SchenckBest First Screenplay
Blue Car- Writer: Karen MoncrieffMonster - Writer: Patty JenkinsRaising Victor Vargas - Writers: Peter Sollett and Eva VivesThe Station Agent - Writer: Thomas McCarthyThirteen - Writers: Catherine Hardwicke & Nikki ReedBest Female Lead
Agnes Bruckner - Blue CarZooey Deschanel - All the Real GirlsSamantha Morton - In AmericaElisabeth Moss - VirginCharlize Theron - MonsterBest Male Lead
Peter Dinklage - The Station AgentPaul Giamatti - American SplendorSir Ben Kingsley - House of Sand and FogBill Murray - Lost in TranslationLee Pace - Soldier's GirlBest Supporting Female
Shohreh Aghdashloo - House of Sand and FogSarah Bolger - In AmericaPatricia Clarkson - Pieces of AprilHope Davis - The Secret Lives of DentistsFrances McDormand - Laurel CanyonBest Supporting Male
Judah Friedlander - American SplendorTroy Garity - Soldier's GirlDjimon Hounsou - In AmericaAlessandro Nivola - Laurel CanyonPeter Sarsgaard - Shattered GlassBest Debut Performance
Anna Kendrick - CampJudy Marte - Raising Victor VargasVictor Rasuk - Raising Victor VargasNikki Reed - ThirteenJanice Richardson - Anne B. RealBest Cinematography
Elephant - Harris SavidesIn America - Declan QuinnNorthfork - M. David MullenQuattro Noza - Derek CianfranceShattered Glass - Mandy WalkerBest Foreign Film
City of God (Brazil)Lilya 4-Ever (Denmark)The Magdalene Sisters (England/Ireland)The Triplets of Belleville (France)Whale Rider (New Zealand)Best Documentary
The Fog of WarMayor of the Sunset StripMy ArchitectOT: our townPower Trip