2013 Gotham Independent Film Award Nominees

Always the first out of the gate, The Gothams reward independent films and their stars. This year, some big Oscar contenders like Inside Llewyn Davis, 12 Years a Slave, and to a lesser extent Before Midnight now get free press for a while as the next major award is over a month away (NBR and NYFCC). This helps with the Oscar campaign, and establishes them as independent projects to look out for (the Indie Spirits will chime in as well), and this is particularly important as every year independent films snag nods with the Academy. Some performers/directors that are in the Oscar hunt such as Cate Blanchett, Robert Redford, Ryan Coogler, Lupita Nyong'o, Michael B. Jordan, Matthew McConaughey, Chiwetel Ejiofar, and Oscar Issac, as well as some outside contenders who are hoping to crash the party including Scarlett Johanssen, Dane DeHaan, Brie Larson, and Shailene Woodley. The full list is below, and I'm sure there will be further discussion as the race heats up:

Best Feature

"Ain't Them Bodies Saints"
"Before Midnight"
"Inside Llewyn Davis"
"12 Years a Slave"
"Upstream Color"

Best Documentary

"The Act of Killing"
"The Crash Reel"
"First Cousin Once Removed"
"Let the Fire Burn"
"Our Nixon"

Bingham Ray Award for Breakthrough Director

Ryan Coogler, "Fruitvale Station"
Stacie Passon, "Concussion"
Adam Leon, "Gimme the Loot"
Alexandre Moors, "Blue Caprice"
Amy Seimetz, "Sun Don't Shine"

Best Actor

Chiwetel Ejiofor, "12 Years a Slave"
Oscar Isaac, "Inside Llewyn Davis"
Matthew McConaughey, "Dallas Buyers Club"
Robert Redford, "All is Lost"
Isaiah Washington, "Blue Caprice"

Best Actress

Cate Blanchett, "Blue Jasmine"
Scarlett Johansson, "Don Jon"
Brie Larson, "Short Term 12"
Amy Seimetz, "Upstream Color"
Shailene Woodley, "The Spectacular Now"

Best Breakthrough Actor

Dane DeHaan, "Kill Your Darlings"
Kathryn Hahn, "Afternoon Delight"
Michael B. Jordan, "Fruitvale Station"
Lupita Nyong'o, "12 Years a Slave"
Robin Weigert, "Concussion"