The nominees for the 2014 Film Independent Spirit Awards were announced today, with Jared Leto's performance as transgender woman in Dallas Buyers Club among those receiving nominations.
Leto's performance as Rayon - a transgender woman in Texas helping Ron Woodruff smuggle HIV drugs into the United States – has already garnered much critical acclaim and is expected to be a major contender this awards season. His nomination in the Supporting Male category wasn't the film's only recognition however, as Matthew McConaughey also received a nomination for his performance as Woodruff in the Leading Male category.
The Weinstein Company film Concussion, in which a woman suffers a concussion and then leaves her wife and children to become an escort, is nominated in the category of Best First Feature.
Other nominees include Afternoon Delight for Best First Screenplay, which features Jane Lynch in a supporting role as a lesbian therapist. Blue is the Warmest Color, the headline-grabbing, lesbian coming-of-age drama, is up for Best International Film. And Pit Stop, which follows the lives of two gay men in a small town before they finally meet, is nominated for the John Cassavetes Award. That award specifically recognizes features made for less than $500,000.
Actor/comedian Patton Oswalt will host the 29th Annual Independent Spirit Awards show, which will be held in Santa Monica. The awards will air on March 1, 2014 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on IFC. Check out the full list of nominations here.
