The 2009 Gotham Award Nominees

'Ballast,' 'Frozen River' and 'Rachel' still look strong independently

By: Brad Brevet
Published: Tuesday, December 2nd 2008 at 4:09 PM

On top of this morning's announcement of the Independent Spirit Award nominees the IFP have announced their nominees for the Gotham Awards. You will notice a few common themes such as love for Frozen River, Ballast and Rachel Getting Married. The one thing that really catches my eye is the nomination of Melissa Leo in the Breakthrough Actor category. Leo is credited on 77 projects over at IMDb with ten of those expected for future release. She has been acting since 1984 and is just now considered a breakthrough? What an interesting world those independent awards are.

Here's the list of nominees.

Best Feature

• Ballast
• Frozen River
• Synecdoche, New York
• The Visitor
• The Wrestler

Best Documentary

• Chris & Don: A Love Story
• Encounters at the End of the World
• Man on Wire
• Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired
• Trouble the Water

Breakthrough Director

• Antonio Campos, Afterschool
• Dennis Dortch, A Good Day to be Black and Sexy
• Lance Hammer, Ballast
• Barry Jenkins, Medicine for Melancholy
• Alex Rivera, Sleep Dealer

Breakthrough Actor

• Pedro Castaneda, August Evening
• Rosemarie DeWitt, Rachel Getting Married
• Rebecca Hall, Vicky Cristina Barcelona
• Melissa Leo, Frozen River
• Alejandro Polanco, Chop Shop
• Micheal J. Smith, Ballast

Best Ensemble Cast

• Ballast
• Synecdoche, New York
• Rachel Getting Married
• Vicky Cristina Barcelona
• The Visitor

Best Film Not Playing in a Theater Near You

• Afterschool
• Meadowlark
• The New York Parade
• Sita Sings the Blues
• Wellness

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