The battle between the two top awards bestowed for independent films — the Indie Spirits and the Gothams — continues anew with today's announcement of Spirit nominations in Los Angeles coming just hours before the Gotham Awards are bestowed on the opposite coast. I will be attending tonight's kudofest and bringing you live coverage, so remember to check back with this blog later for breaking news and backstage tattle.

The Gothams and Spirits used to be handed out by the East and West Coast branches of the same organization, the Independent Feature Project, but the Californians broke off from New York and three other IFP groups in 2006 and renamed their branch FIND (short for Film Independent).

Such geographic squabbling isn't unusual in ego-mad showbiz. That's how we ended up with two separate TV academies on different coasts bestowing the same Emmy Award, which they own jointly. And the Writers Guild of America is actually two separate groups — East and West Coast — joined in name only. Each branch has a separate governing body.

Sometimes the Gothams and Spirits hail the same films, like best-picture winner "Sideways," but they often go their separate ways. Last year, the Gothams went with "Into the Wild" for best film and the Spirits chose "Juno." This year, three of the nominees coincide — "Ballast," "Frozen River" and "The Wrestler" — while the Spirits lineup also includes "Rachel Getting Married" and "Wendy and Lucy" as the Gothams opted for "Synechdoche, New York" and "The Visitor" to round out the list.

While "Milk" was not ready in time to be screened for the Gotham jury, it failed to make the final five films up for best picture or best director at the Spirits, though it picked up four other nods, including noms for lead Sean Penn and supporting player James Franco. "Ballast," "Frozen River" and "Rachel Getting Married" all got six noms apiece, while "The Wrestler" has three nods and "Wendy and Lucy" picked up a pair of noms.

The Spirits will be feting "Synechdoche, New York" with a special prize for first-time director Charlie Kaufman and his ensemble cast led by Oscar winner Philip Seymour Hoffman.

Here are key dates of major kudo news coming up on the derby track:

Dec. 2 - Gotham Awards declares winners
Dec. 2 - Indie Spirits announces nominees
Dec. 4 - National Board of Review announces winners
Dec. 9 - Los Angeles Film Critics Assn. winners unveiled
Dec. 9 - Critics Choice announces nominees
Dec. 10 - New York Film Critics Circle declares winners

Illustration by Ty Wilson

• Today an academy member told me that he got a DVD screener of "The Visitor" that was shipped to the full general membership. Last week they all got "I've Loved You So Long." "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" arrived around Oct. 24, "Frozen River" in late September. Oh, yeah, and the "Burn After Reading" DVD that voters got a few weeks ago! I forgot to mention that one. But that's all that's arrived so far.

• The Indie Spirits are mounting a new attack on the Gotham Awards. They plan to announce their nominations on Dec. 2 — that's the same day that the Gothams will present awards to winners. And that's the same ploy the Spirits pulled last year while trying to upstage the rival trophy show. Remember, the two kudos bestowed to indie films on different coasts (Spirits in L.A., Gothams in Manhattan) used to be doled out by the East and West Coast branches of the same organization, the Independent Feature Project, but the Californians broke off from New York and three other IFP groups in 2006 and renamed their branch FIND (short for Film Independent). The fact that the New Yorkers dared to launch their own awards separate from the Spirits was one of the key issues that busted up the original organization.

• Have a good curious chuckle while Anne Thompson strenuously denies that she's publishing a review of "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" while in fact doing so at Variety.com, even if it is from a non-journalist. Over the last few days I've heard top Oscar consultants denounce Thompson vehemently for pulling similar ploys throughout this derby season. To read Thompson's tattle (a rave), CLICK HERE. Now, in order to provide balance in the gossip department, you can read a less enthusiastic "review" ("I wasn’t as moved by this film as I wanted to be") at Pop Culture Nerd's blog, CLICK HERE.

Photo: Anchor Bay

The purpose of the Independent Spirit award is to salute what past ceremony host Samuel L. Jackson once called "the strange, the weird, the eclectic, the visionary, the new blood." Ideally, it's supposed to help offbeat, low-profile quality films that could use the boost so that someday, maybe, they could compete in the big Oscar league.

Back when the Spirits took flight, they tried hard to keep that focus. Its first best-picture winner in 1985, "After Hours," wasn't nominated for a single Oscar. But then "Platoon" won best pic at both awards the next year and thereafter the Spirit award aimed more and more at academy-friendly films, probably to increase its profile. Another early Spirit best-pic winner, "River's Edge," was snubbed at the Oscars, but the other champs usually made it into the lower-rung Oscar categories like screenplay ("sex, lies and videotape") and acting ("Rambling Rose"), but usually not in the top Oscar race.

Then a few like "Pulp Fiction" and "Fargo" broke in and suddenly it was not uncommon to see the Spirit's best picture in the Oscar's equivalent race, like "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon." Now the pairing seems automatic. The last four top winners at the Spirits were all nominated for best picture at the Oscars: "Lost in Translation," "Sideways," "Brokeback Mountain" and "Little Miss Sunshine. Now "Juno" may make it five in a row. "Platoon" is the only film to win both.

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What do you do when your kudos are called the Independent Spirit Awards but the studios have come to dominate the nominations? You create a category for features that cost less than half a mill and name it for indie icon John Cassavetes. That is just the latest quirk in the 23-year history of these decidedly offbeat awards. And with these honors due to be handed out Saturday (live on IFC and taped delay on AMC), now is a good time to take a closer look at them.

The nominations were announced almost three months ago — on Nov. 27 — so you are forgiven if you have forgotten who and what is in the running. Four films lead the pack with four nods apiece: "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly," "I'm Not There," "Juno," and "The Savages." The $20-million budget cap kept indie-spirited films like "No Country for Old Men" and "There Will Be Blood" out of this race. (Without this rule, rival kudos, the Gotham Awards, gave the Sean Penn-helmed adventure "Into the Wild" their best film prize last fall.) And as only movies made with Yankee dollars are eligible, French language "Diving Bell" was in while Canuck contender "Away From Her" was out.

As per the organizers, Film Independent, the 14 people on the nominating committee were looking for: "(1) uniqueness of vision; (2) original, provocative subject matter; (3) economy of means; and (4) percentage of financing from independent sources." In addition, there was a seven-person documentary committee and a nine-member foreign feature panel, neither of whose choices matched up with the eventual Oscar contenders. Winners were decided by the general membership of FIND, with voting privileges available for as little as $95 a year in dues. The Gothams and Spirits used to be bestowed by the East and West Coast branches of the same organization, the Independent Feature Project, but a few years back, the Californians broke off from New York and three other IFP groups.

The awards ceremony takes place under a tent on the beach in Santa Monica. While it is mere miles from the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, home to Sunday night's Oscars, it is a world away. There are no stylists, no orchestra to play you off as you ramble on with your acceptance speech, and, infamously, no toilets. As Variety once reported : "Many celebrities mused that they could think of no other Hollywood awards show where the guests had to wait in line for Porta Potties while facing hordes of autograph-seeking fans."

Among the bold-faced names expected are best-actress nominee Angelina Jolie ("A Mighty Heart") and her consort Brad Pitt who is nommed for producing the film. While "No Country" was not eligible, its kudos king Javier Bardem is due to present. Hosting the festivities will be "The Office" star Rainn Wilson, who told Christy Lemire of AP earlier this week, "It's kind of a ramshackle, crazy awards show that's really about cutting-edge cinema, and it's really for movie fans and actor fans."

Though foreign-financed films are ineligible for most races, likely winners include Canada's Ellen Page ("Juno") for best actress and Aussie Cate Blanchett ("I'm Not There") for supporting actress. None of their Oscar competition is in the running here. Best actor could well be "The Savages" star Philip Seymour Hoffman who picked up the same prize two years ago for "Capote." His "Savages" costar Laura Linney was nominated then for "The Squid and the Whale" but surprisingly snubbed this year. However, being left off that list put her on Oscar's radar.

The clash between the two top awards bestowed for independent films — the Indie Spirits and the Gothams — would sure make for a dishy indie movie.

The timing of the announcement of Spirit nominations this morn in Los Angeles was not coincidental. In case you didn't notice, the Gotham Awards will be bestowed tonight by the Spirit's rival awards group out on the opposite coast — in Brooklyn, New York. I will be attending tonight and bringing you live coverage, so remember to check back with this blog later for breaking news and backstage tattle.

The Gothams and Spirits used to be bestowed by the east and west coast branches of the same organization, the Independent Feature Project, but the Californians broke off from New York and three other IFP groups in 2006 and renamed their branch FIND (short for Film Independent).

Such geographic squabbling isn't unusual in ego-mad showbiz. That's how we ended up with two separate TV academies on different coasts bestowing the same Emmy Award, which they own jointly. Believe it or not, the Writers Guild of America is actually two separate groups — east and west coast — joined in name only. Each branch has a separate governing body.

Sometimes the Gothams and Spirits hail the same films, like best-picture winner "Sideways," but they usually try to go their separate ways. Perhaps that is what's behind the Spirits' strange snubs today of "Into the Wild," "Away from Her," "Lars and the Real Girl" and "Gone Baby Gone." None of those noteworthy indies got any nominations from the Spirits.

Turns out that the only one of those films eligible for Spirit recognition was "Lars." Its snub is suprising considering that star Ryan Gosling won best actor last year for "Half Nelson." "Into the Wild" and "Gone Baby Gone" weren't eligible because they cost more than $20 million to produce. "Away from Her" is a Canadian production. It wasn't submitted for Spirits consideration, but, if it had been, it would've had to compete in the foreign-film race.

The only film nominated for best picture by both the Gothams and Spirits is "I'm Not There," which romped today at the Spirits' noms.

The Spirit nominations had lots of wacky twists. The only actor nominated for "Before the Devil Knows You're Dead" is the one who received the least praise from film critics: Marisa Tomei.

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We conducted lots of fun interviews with winners backstage at the Indie Spirits Awards that will be posted within hours at our video gallery, but this one is such a hoot that, frankly, it just can't wait. While dishing with best actor and actress champs Ryan Gosling and Shareeka Epps ("Half Nelson"), I asked Shareeka what she thought of the whole, wild scene on the beach at Santa Monica — specifically how funny it is to see the celebs reduced to using Port-a-Potties — and she gave us a "hilarious" response. CLICK HERE to watch the Windows Media Video CLICK HERE for the Quicktime video. (Note: You may need to hold down your computer's Control key while clicking, then wait a few moments for the file to download.)

(L.A. Times video by Manuel Quinttanilla)

No big upsets at the Indie Spirits, but, still, there were a few bold choices. Shareeka Epps beating Elizabeth Reaser ("Sweet Land") and Catherine O'Hara ("For Your Consideration") for best lead actress was a coup for the sassy upstart Epps, who exulted joyously in her win when we interviewed her and co-champ Ryan Gosling backstage. After all, "Sweet Land" won best first feature, which means that voters actually watched the indie that had reaped Reaser gushing notices from film critics.

"Yeah, I was really happy it was for lead actress!" she emphasized, acknowledging how so many kudos-watchers thought she should campaign in the supporting slot in the derby.

Big wins by "Little Miss Sunshine" were expected, but it was impressive that the film won in all four key areas: picture, director, screenplay and acting (Alan Arkin). "Sunshine" now joins 11 other films in winning the most at the Spirits, if grouped with others that won five and six awards. (Obviously, that creative team has class, taste and are real winnahs, by the way. Several of them told me with enthusiasm that they read TheEnvelope.com every day.)

What I find odd and incongruous about the "Sunshine" wins is how they jumped the divide between general indies and rookies. Years ago the Spirits came up with a second batch of awards just for "first features" so they could be recognized separately from the biggies that usually take, for example, best feature. "Sunshine" was nominated for, and won, best first screenplay, but didn't compete for best first feature since some of its producers were seasoned pros. Ah, well, since when does logic apply to showbiz, eh?

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(Photo: Fox Searchlight)

The press section behind the big white tent where the Indie Spirit Awards are held is where all of the fun is, frankly. It's one of the few places in Hollywood where celebs mingle cheerfully with media while drinks flow freely and a mobile feast of food flies by. Below is a view of the scene before the attendees spill out from the ceremony. The blonde gal in a blue top is a TV journo doing a "stand-up" for her cameraman, reporting on winners so far.

Once the awards ceremony is over, the back press alley gets jam-packed. At left below, director John Waters (who hosted several Spirit ceremonies in years past) scoots by en route to the private party held by Elle magazine, which has the tent usually reserved by Entertainment Weekly. When EW ran the tent, which contains the only solo media party, journalists from other media like me used to be welcomed to join the fun. Not this year. "Elle isn't letting any of us in!" sighed my Envelope colleague Liz Snead as we stood outside this afternoon, spying the scene. At right is the extremely private tent where a guard stands at the entranceway of the celebrity gifting tent reserved for award presenters. Liz tells me about a certain female celeb who just conducted what's called a "looting" raid. "She just came out with a second giant bag stuffed with freebies like expensive watches," Liz whispered to me, adding snidely, "Yeah, I'm sure she's gonna pay taxes on all that! Ha! And people say celebrity gifting is under control. That's ridiculous!"

Actually, most celebs seem to be primarily interested in the fun food and drink and just enjoying the general festivities. Pop Secret had small push carts scattered everywhere out back, offering puffed-up bags full of free popcorn. Meantime, waiters wove in between revelers, offering gourmet treats like cups of beet gazpacho.

(L.A. Times photos by Tom O'Neil)

Arriving at the Indie Spirits, celebs get no special treatment. At left, Cuba Gooding Jr. cheerfully endures passage through the metal detector. At right: Adam Goldberg looks most serious as he gazes ahead toward the walkway lined with yelping, bouncing camera crews.

After passing through security, stars approach the red carpet (actually it's blue) as nervous publicists pace back and forth on cell phones. Beyond the palm trees above and below is the Pacific Ocean nearby. The Spirits ceremony is really conducted on the beach in Santa Monica.

Below: Inside the Spirits compound, security is tight, guards are everywhere and journalists must be escorted to their designated spots, which are divided up into areas that are color-coded. The Indie Spirits were very generous to The Envelope. I was given two passes — green and pink — granting me access to most key areas, including the "one-on-one tent" where we were given a large tented room to set up TV camera, lights and chairs so we could interview winners. (Thank you, Spirits!) Our videos will be posted soon on line.

Below: the Port-a-Potties celebs must use, if needed. (They were warned ahead of time that these are the Anti-Oscars, full of anti-glam.)