George Clooney's Oscar-tipped movie The Descendants and indie film darling Martha Marcy May Marlene have scooped up three nominations apiece for the 2012 Gotham Independent Awards.
The New York prizegiving traditionally kicks off the film world's awards season with winners often going on to win Academy Awards nominations and wins.
The Descendants will battle for the Best Feature honour with Beginners, Meek's Cutoff, Take Shelter and The Tree of Life, while the film's cast will compete for the Best Ensemble Performance prize with the stars of 
Beginners, Margin Call, Martha Marcy May Marlene and Take Shelter.
Elizabeth Olsen has landed a Breakthrough Actor award nod for her portrayal of a cult escapee attempting a return to normal life in Martha Marcy May Marlene. She'll be up against 
Felicity Jones (Like Crazy), Harmony Santana (Gun Hill Road), Shailene Woodley (The Descendants) and Jacob Wysocki (Terri).

Better This World, Hell and Back Again, The Interrupters and The Woodmans will compete for the Best Documentary prize and the Breakthrough Director category includes 
Mike Cahill (Another Earth), Sean Durkin (Martha Marcy May Marlene), Vera Farmiga (Higher Ground), Evan Glodell (Bellflower) and Dee Rees (Pariah).
The awards will be announced at a ceremony on 28 November (11).