'American Honey,' 'Moonlight' Lead Nominations for Film Independent Spirit Awards

SANTA MONICA, CA -- "American Honey," a coming-of-age story about a girl who runs away from home and joins a traveling magazine-sales crew, and "Moonlight," following a boy's emergence from a dysfunctional home in a drug- plagued Miami neighborhood, each earned a leading six nominations this week for the 32nd annual Film Independent Spirit Awards.

"Manchester by the Sea" earned five nods, while "Jackie," "Free in Deed" and "Other People" each scored four nominations.

"American Honey," "Chronic," "Jackie," "Manchester by the Sea" and "Moonlight" were nominated for best feature award. "Other People" was nominated for best first feature, along with "The Childhood of a Leader," "The Fits," "Swiss Army Man" and "The Witch."

"Free in Deed" earned a nomination for the John Cassavetes Award, which honors films made for less than $500,000, along with "Hunter Gatherer," "Lovesong," "Nakom" and "Spa Night."

Natalie Portman was nominated for best female lead for her portrayal of first lady Jacqueline Kennedy in "Jackie." Also nominated were Annette Bening for "20th Century Woman," Isabelle Huppert for "Elle," Sasha Lane for "American Honey" and Ruth Negga for "Loving."

Nominated for best male lead were Casey Affleck for "Manchester by the Sea," David Harewood for "Free in Deed," Viggo Mortensen for "Captain Fantastic," Jesse Plemons for "Other People" and Tim Roth of "Chronic."

The Spirit Awards will be presented Feb. 25 in Santa Monica.

-- City News Service. Courtesy image