Dylan biopic leads Spirit awards

Cate Blanchett won best actress at Venice for her portrayal of Dylan

Bob Dylan film I'm Not There has picked up four nominations for the Independent Spirit Awards, including a supporting actress nod for Cate Blanchett.

The movie, which charts the musician's life, is also in the running for best feature, director and supporting actor for child star Carl Franklin.

Angelina Jolie is also up for best actress as the wife of slain reporter Daniel Pearl in A Mighty Heart.

The awards will be presented on 23 February, a day before the Oscars.

Convention-breaking

British star Sienna Miller has also been recognised in the best actress category for her role in Interview, along with Ellen Page for Juno, Parker Posey for Broken English and Tang Wei for Lust, Caution.

Among the contenders for best actor are Philip Seymour Hoffman, who won an Academy Award for his portrayal of Truman Capote and Tony Leung, another star of Lust, Caution.

They are joined by Oscar nominee Don Cheadle for Talk To Me, Pedro Castaneda for August Evening, and Frank Langella for Starting Out in the Evening.

Other contenders for best film are Gus Van Sant's Paranoid Park, which has also gained a best director nomination.

I'm Not There, which depicts Bob Dylan at various stages of his life with a series of actors, was also chosen to receive the first Robert Altman Award, given for films which break convention.

Actress Adrienne Shelly, who was found murdered in her New York home earlier this year, has earned a posthumous nomination for the screenplay of her indie hit, Waitress.