'Rachel,' 'River' lead Spirit nods

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 2 (UPI) -- "Frozen River," "Rachel Getting Married" and "Ballast" led the field when the 2009 Spirit Award nominations were announced in Los Angeles Tuesday.

The three independent films, along with "Wendy and Lucy" and "The Wrestler," are competing for the best feature prize.

The directors of "Ballast," "Frozen River" and "Rachel Getting Married" -- Lance Hammer, Courtney Hunt and Jonathan Demme respectively -- are up for the best director prize, as well. Also nominated are Ramin Bahrani, who helmed "Chop Shop," and Tom McCarthy, who directed "The Visitor."

Competing for the award for male lead are Javier Bardem for "Vicky Cristina Barcelona," Richard Jenkins for "The Visitor;" Sean Penn for "Milk," Jeremy Renner for "The Hurt Locker" and Mickey Rourke for "The Wrestler."

Shortlisted for the lead actress prize are Summer Bishil for "Towelhead," Anne Hathaway for "Rachel Getting Married," Melissa Leo for "Frozen River;" Tarra Riggs for "Ballast" and Michelle Williams for "Wendy and Lucy."

Mentioned in the supporting male category are James Franco for "Milk," Anthony Mackie for "The Hurt Locker;" Charlie McDermott for "Frozen River;" Jim Myron Ross for "Ballast" and Haaz Sleiman for "The Visitor."

The nominees for in the supporting female race are Penelope Cruz for "Vicky Cristina Barcelona," Rosemarie DeWitt for "Rachel Getting Married," Rosie Perez for "The Take," Misty Upham for "Frozen River" and Debra Winger for "Rachel Getting Married."

In the running for the screenplay award are Woody Allen for "Vicky Cristina Barcelona," Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck for "Sugar;" Charlie Kaufman for "Synecdoche, New York;"

Howard A. Rodman for "Savage Grace" and Christopher Zalla for "Sangre De Mi Sangre."

Nominated for the best first screenplay honor are Dustin Lance Black for "Milk;" Lance Hammer for "Ballast;" Courtney Hunt for "Frozen River;" Jonathan Levine for "The Wackness" and Jenny Lumet for "Rachel Getting Married."