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 Splendor In America Lost in Translation Raising Victor Vargas Shattered Glass
Best Director
Shari Springer Berman & Robert Pulcini - American Splendor Sofia Coppola - Lost in Translation Jim Sheridan - In America Peter Sollett - Raising Victor Vargas Gus Van Sant - Elephant
Best Screenplay
American Splendor - Writers: Shari Springer Berman & Robert Pulcini Lost in Translation - Writer: Sofia Coppola A Mighty Wind - Writers: Christopher Guest & Eugene Levy and the cast of A Mighty Wind Pieces of April - Writer: Peter Hedges Shattered Glass - Writer: Billy Ray
Best First Feature
Bomb the System - Director: Adam Bhala Lough; Producers: Ben Rekhi, Sol Tryon House of Sand and Fog - Director: Vadim Perelman; Producers: Michael London, Vadim Perelman Monster - Director: Patty Jenkins; Producers: Mark Damon, Donald Kushner, Clark Peterson, Charlize Theron, Brad Wyman Quattro Noza - Director: Joey Curtis; Producer: Fredric King Thirteen - Director: Catherine Hardwicke; Producers: Jeffrey Levy-Hinte, Michael London
John Cassavetes Award
Anne B. Real - Director: Lisa France; Writers: Lisa France, Antonio Macia, Producers: Josselyne Herman, Luis Moro, Jeanine Rohn Better 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 Winick The Station Agent - Writer/Director: Thomas McCarthy; Producers: Mary Jane Skalski, Robert May, Kathryn Tucker Virgin - Writer/Director: Deborah Kampmeier; Producer:Sarah Schenck
Best First Screenplay
Blue Car- Writer: Karen Moncrieff Monster - Writer: Patty Jenkins Raising Victor Vargas - Writers: Peter Sollett and Eva Vives The Station Agent - Writer: Thomas McCarthy Thirteen - Writers: Catherine Hardwicke & Nikki Reed
Best Female Lead
Agnes Bruckner - Blue Car Zooey Deschanel - All the Real Girls Samantha Morton - In America Elisabeth Moss - Virgin Charlize Theron - Monster
Best Male Lead
Peter Dinklage - The Station Agent Paul Giamatti - American Splendor Sir Ben Kingsley - House of Sand and Fog Bill Murray - Lost in Translation Lee Pace - Soldier's Girl
Best Supporting Female
Shohreh Aghdashloo - House of Sand and Fog Sarah Bolger - In America Patricia Clarkson - Pieces of April Hope Davis - The Secret Lives of Dentists Frances McDormand - Laurel Canyon
Best Supporting Male
Judah Friedlander - American Splendor Troy Garity - Soldier's Girl Djimon Hounsou - In America Alessandro Nivola - Laurel Canyon Peter Sarsgaard - Shattered Glass
Best Debut Performance
Anna Kendrick - Camp Judy Marte - Raising Victor Vargas Victor Rasuk - Raising Victor Vargas Nikki Reed - Thirteen Janice Richardson - Anne B. Real
Best Cinematography
Elephant - Harris Savides In America - Declan Quinn Northfork - M. David Mullen Quattro Noza - Derek Cianfrance Shattered Glass - Mandy Walker
Best 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 War Mayor of the Sunset Strip My Architect OT: our town Power Trip
