Silent film leads Spirit Awards nods

Los Angeles -  The silent movie The Artist and the doomsday drama Take Shelter lead the Spirit Awards honouring independent films with five nominations each, including best picture.

Also in the running for best picture are the cancer tale 50/50; the action thriller Drive; and the family dramas Beginners and The Descendants.

Jean Dujardin of The Artist, Michael Shannon of Take Shelter and Ryan Gosling of Drive were among lead-actor nominees announced on Tuesday. The others are Demian Bichir for A Better Life and Woody Harrelson for Rampart.

Up for lead actress are Lauren Ambrose, Think of Me; Rachel Harris, Natural Selection; Adepero Oduye, Pariah; Elizabeth Olsen, Martha Marcy May Marlene; and Michelle Williams, My Week with Marilyn.

Winners will be announced February 25, the day before the Academy Awards.